Battle, The - Magnum

Advantages: Great tracks that sit happily between soft and hard rock
Disadvantages: Some weaker moments and not everyone's cup of tea

...'Magnum', 'Magnum II', 'Marauder', 'Chase the Dragon' and 'The Eleventh Hour'. Track Listing Disc 1 1 - Kingdom of Madness 2 - In the Beginning 3 - Invasion 4 - Universe 5 - Lonesome Star 6 - Foolish Heart 7 - Baby Rock Me 8 - All of My Life (Live EP version) 9 - Great Adventure (Live EP version) 10 - Invasion (Live EP version) 11 - Kingdom of Madness (Live EP version) 12 - Changes (Re-mixed) 13 - Everybody Needs 14 - The Lights Burned Out 15 - Long Days, Black Nights 16 - Back to Earth 17 - Hold Back Your Love 18 - Soldier of the Line (Live EP version) 19 - Sacred Hour (Live EP version) Disc 2 1 - All that is Real 2 - All Come Together 3 - Great Adventure 4 - The Battle 5 - If I Could Live Forever 6 - Changes 7 - Firebird 8 - Foolish Heart (Live) 9 - In the Beginning (Live) 10 - Lords of Chaos (Live) 11 - On the Edge of the World 12... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great variety of original tracks
Disadvantages: Can't believe they're not more widely known

...I don't think I would ever have discovered Magnum if it hadn't been for my dad. In the family car it is always my dad who takes control of the stereo, which is sometimes a nightmare! A lot of the rock music he listens to is terrible, but every now and then he does come up with a little gem such as this one. So who are Magnum? Well, they originally formed in Birmingham 1972 but since then have changed band members numerous times. However, by keeping with the same vocalist (Bob Catley) and guitarist/songwriter (Tony Clarkin) they have managed to retain their unique sound. Released in 2007, this album is the most recent of a total of 14 over the years, although they have never had a smash hit, as such, with only two of these ever getting into the top 10 in the UK charts (one reached #5, another got to #9). As you may have realised, I am... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...forward heavy rock, the lyrics in places do sound a bit dated but manage to stay just out of the category of cliche, that many bands succumbed to in this the golden era of "the new wave of British heavy metal" as it was known. Above all Magnum are a very English sounding band and it was only their move to USA to record in the later part of their career that hastened their demise. On this album you hear the sound of a band coming of age and entering a golden period that would result in three classic albums, but this is where it all began. A swirling drone rises to be joined by gunshots and the random noises of battle before the band power in to start Soldier of the Line. A mix of unaccompanied vocal and power chords the song wanders through arange of dynamic before it hits its mark and turns into a full on guitar based rock anthem, almost... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful