Fifty years into their career and Birmingham hard rockers Magnum are still pumping out the hits on this, their twenty-second full length studio release. Aside from a five-year period during the nineties when the band was put on hiatus, Magnum has been rocking for longer than some of us have been alive, churning out album after quality album like clockwork every two to three years.
Not even having to endure months of pandemic-related obstacles like lockdowns and contact restrictions could halt the production of latest record The Monster Roars (Steamhammer/SPV) as the band sound as enthusiastic as ever. Social commentary and politics come together in a classic Magnum sound with a modern touch and the odd surprise thrown in along the way.
Sounding like it was written with a fully-fledged rock opera in mind, the brooding, orchestrated title track kicks things off, followed by the sensational retro-infused ‘Remember’. ‘All You Believe In’ boasts more anthemic rock opera shenanigans with clear nods to Queen while ‘I Won’t Let You Down’ is a piece of solid seventies pop rock with a memorable chorus and subtle orchestration.
‘The Present Not The Past’ switches effortlessly from downbeat to uplifting with a great vocal from singer Bob Catley before the band go full feelgood on ‘No Steppin’ Stones’ as they hit you with a brass section on this ridiculously upbeat rocker. If you don’t have a stupid grin on your face while listening to this one then you’re doing it wrong.
‘That Freedom Word’ and ‘Your Blood Is Violence’ both possess an air of melancholia while ‘Walk The Silent Hours’ is a standard but enjoyable ballad. ‘The Day After The Night Before’ is another solid entry with a progressive edge before the album closes with ‘Come Holy Men’ and the powerful, brooding ‘Can’t Buy Yourself A Heaven’.
Guitarist Tony Clarkin is as adept and reliable as ever, keeping things nice and simple while punctuating certain passages with some wonderfully bluesy solos, while Catley (rather unsurprisingly for someone in his seventies) does occasionally sound his age but on the whole still puts in a highly impressive performance. Rick Benton‘s keyboards are supportive rather than overpowering, the orchestrations punching or backing off whenever necessary while bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Unisonic) and experienced former Paradise Lost drummer Lee Morris (who was only two years old when Magnum formed) keep things ticking along perfectly.
The lack of an almost trademark Rodney Matthews cover art might disappoint some fans but it’s not like this is the first time this has happened and although this latest record probably won’t go down among the band’s many career high points, The Monster Roars is still a vibrant and entertaining release.
Buy the album here: https://smarturl.it/MagnumTheMonster
7 / 10
GARY ALCOCK