SACRED BLOOD DIVINE LIES

The fun continues (in context)

Faithful to their recent pattern of frequent releases, Magnum return with a yet another album that features the excellent artwork of Rodney Matthews, with clear references to their 80's releases (Chase the Dragon, The Eleventh Hour). The similarities to the predecessor "Escape From The Shadow Garden" don't end here since the character of the song-writing and overall approach is unchanged: pompous melodic hard rock.

The difference that makes me rate this album just a notch higher is the wider involvement/visibility of Stanway's keyboard work that colours a lot of the compositions rather than simply relying on Clarkin's riffage. Catley, despite his 68 years (!), still delivers solid vocal melodies with some of the harmonies resembling their best (80's) albums. "Sacred Blood, Divine Lies" seems to be less affected by balladry (thank God for that) and sounds more balanced than its predecessor. Still, tracks such as "Your Dreams Won't Die" could be absent but we can't have it all...

Of course prog is not featured but the enjoyment reaches peak with the anthemic title track and signature-Magnum-melody driven "Princess In Rags", "A Forgotten Conversation" and "Twelve Men Wise And Just" with the rest not so far behind. Again, Magnum fans won't be dissapointed and proggers may feel a bit of prog/AOR nostalgia listening to some of the vocal lines.

In context then, 3 (-) stars deserved; a band that still uphold their reputation

I own every album that Magnum released and why that is, is an enigma to me. Magnum have long since diverged their path away from prog music and solidly into arena / melody rock. There is something about Magnum though that keeps me getting hold of their albums on release. There is something about Magnum that although they no longer get all that much playtime on my sound equipment that makes me feel strangely at home when I do spool their music up. I could only possibly put my compulsion to owning everything this band releases down to the bands musical "honesty" - I don't know how to put it really. They do what they do and they do that same thing over and over with each new release, no more and no less. Magnum are more in line now with bands like Foreigner than they are in line with anything resembling progressive music other than for a few glimpses into prog territory now and then.

At close to 70 years old Bob Catley can rock the house - good heavens !! - he puts a lot of 20 year old rockers to shame. This album is no Wings of Heaven (which for me was Magnum's highlight album - an album which I adore) but it is an album that is honest in what it is and it is enjoyable for what it is.

If you enjoy straight up melodious arena rock then this is for you. Personally I will continue to get hold of anything Magnum releases and unfortunately I can't see that given the age of Catley and Co there will be many more of them.

Were Magnum ever strictly speaking, a Prog band? Well, no. The influences of Queen, Yes, and Jethro Tull were self- evident as was and still is the unmitigated knack for Beatle-esque melody. This band however, always enjoyed rocking! From the debut album 'Kingdom of Madness' to their decidedly playful hard rock album 'Rock Art', Heavy Rock was the backbone to their music. So while we always get a consistent album from Magnum- and this is a strong one- We never know just which way the dynamics will tilt towards Prog or Metal.

With a handful of lighter moments to break up the bombast, this British warhorse have delivered another consistent later period release. Continuing from the progress of the previous album, songwriter Tony Clarkin has proven adroit at crafting great bridges and pre-chorus sections even if they are housed in a formula Rock structure. The songwriting overall does suffer a little with this recent bout of Prince-like prolificism because there are only so many riffs and chord progressions that can be used in a hard rock context. Having said that, the formula is shaken up a bit with different tempos and feels and there is a strong sense that this era of the band is building up some serious momentum.

Merit points here particularly at the business end of the album which features two decidedly foot-stomping numbers 'Crazy Old Mothers' and the Uriah Heep-ish 'Gypsey Queen' and one thing that you cannot accuse this band of is lacking conviction. Elsewhere 'Afraid Of The Night' captures a classic Magnum vibe from the band's early period. 'Your Dreams Won't Die' is likewise a memorable track with poignant lyrics and an uplifting melody.

Magnum do share similarities with the aforementioned trailblazers Uriah Heep in that they continue to crank out albums regardless of whether they make the charts or not. I just wish they would use more shade and colour in the arrangements like the best Prog Rock bands do but I am picky because I have been a fan for 27 years!