Released by: Steamhammer/SPV
Release Date: January 12th, 2024
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Links: http://magnumonline.co.uk/
Line Up:
Tony Clarkin (Guitar)
Bob Catley (Vocals)
Rick Benton (Keyboards)
Dennis Ward (Bass)
Lee Morris (Drums)
Tracklist:
01. Run Into The Shadows
02. Here Comes The Rain
03. Some Kind Of Treachery
04. After The Silence
05. Blue Tango
06. The Day He Lied
07. The Seventh Darkness
08. Broken City
09. I Wanna Live
10. Borderline
In a mesmerizing tableau crafted by the adept hand of Rodney Matthews, the album cover bursts forth with a vibrant array of colors, an effulgent tapestry that boldly defies the solemn shadows cast by its forerunner, ‘The Monster Roars.’ Here, fantastical figures engage in a grandiose struggle against swarms of aerial adversaries, alluding to a future fraught with foreboding possibilities. This enthralling visual prelude sets the stage for a musical journey that is as diverse in tones as it is profound in its emotional depths—an opus steeped in an undeniable and haunting melancholy.
Embarking on what might be their magnum opus, the ensemble navigates the delicate equilibrium within the harmonies crafted by Tony. A voyage seamlessly weaving through raw sentiments and pulsating vitality, guided by the authoritative vocals of Bob, a virtuoso of poetic expression and sensitivity. Observe their artistic mastery unfold in a captivating 50-minute spectacle!
Immerse yourself in another Magnum, but regrettably, ‘Here Comes The Rain’ possesses a flavor as distinctive as it is poignant. This 23rd studio album emerges just days after the heart-wrenching news of Tony Clarkin’s departure—the virtuoso guitarist and composer of the legendary collective. It appears destined to be the concluding act of the ensemble, at least in its original configuration. Tony, having recently revealed his battle with illness and its potential impact on the collective, leaves us contemplating the duration of his silent strife. The outcome is an album with verses so profoundly sorrowful, almost pre-apocalyptic (‘Run Into The Shadows’ – ‘There’s no sanctuary, For sure’ or ‘Here Comes the Rain/Nowhere to Hide’), that their resonance is both intensified and disarming… How can one remain unaffected by the emotional depths of the composition ‘I Wanna Live’? It’s an impossibility—yield to the emotional voyage as Bob Catley, in his lyrical finesse, proclaims, ‘I desire to disclose to the world/Exactly what it’s all about/I yearn to live’… Immerse yourself in the intricate interplay of music and visuals…
Preserving their distinctive style, the collective unfolds a narrative of sincerity, profound regard for their enthusiasts, and an unwavering dedication to melody. Bid farewell to the sporadically cheesy keyboards and ostentatious excess; this album thrusts guitars and mid-tempo atmospheres (‘Run Into The Shadows,’ ‘After The Silence’) into the spotlight, occasionally punctuated by remarkable lyrical embellishments (‘Some Kind Of Treachery,’ ‘Here Come The Rain’). Revel in the nuanced intimacy of ‘Broken City,’ a composition almost haunting in its simplicity (piano/lute/voice), and unleash the Hard Rock’n roll vibes of ‘Blue Tango,’ an almost danceable spectacle. Prepare for the explosive journey accompanied by brass accents in ‘The Seventh Darkness,’ and, naturally, relish the obligatory ballads, ‘The Day He Deceived’ and ‘I Desire to Live.’
In this potentially conclusive act of the collective, the album achieves a refined balance, riding on the undulating waves of Tony’s musical creations that effortlessly traverse the spectrum between emotion and energy. Bob’s vocals, once more, reign supreme—infusing each note with lyricism and sensitivity. Witness a symphony of their consummate skills condensed into a 50-minute extravaganza!
Score: 8/10
Reviewed by: Shadow Editor
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