Monday 31 January 2022

Magnum - The Monster Roars

Monday, a new week, it's time for "Record Of The Week".

"The Monster Roars" is the 22nd studio album by English rock band MAGNUM, released on 14 January 2022. A band that get's my full respect, a band that has a long history as they is impressive, when they look back at a career which started as early as 1972 and still continue to make great songs and keep the quality up is freaking amazing. To celebrate 50 years in business they now released their 22nd studio album "The Monster Roars". MAGNUM have struggled same as many other band with this pandemic with concert cancellations and the uncertain perspectives for the whole music industry and hopefully it will soon change and they will be able to play the new tunes live.

MAGNUM have been notably consistent with their outputs over the past decades, "The Monster Roars" feels like their strongest in a long time. They have created a vibrant, homogeneous album with great melodies, catchy choruses, marvelous solos and amazing vocals, I am really impressive how they manage this kinda quality so long into thier career.

"The Monster Roars" opens up with the title tune, like a smooth ride the song starts off with a soft piano along with Catley’s vocal until the rest joins up with some power. The vocal parts by Bob Catley is as we are used to, excellent, the Tony Clarkins guitar, Dennis Ward on bass, Lee Morris on drums and keys by Rick Benton sounds amazing. "Remember" is a catchy piece, marvlous guitar, nice piano. "All You Believe In" is a beautiful tune where Rick Benton really shines with his work. Where the keys goes straight into the heart, so nice! "I Won’t Let You Down" stands out a bit in style, but still very powerful. Time to turn back the time in "The Present Not The Past", a tune that could be picked from any of the bands 80's album, cool strings and some flavour to it. "No Steppin’ Stones" the album's first single features a brass intro, didn't see that comming, kinda cool and gives the tune some sparks. "That Freedom Word" serves us with some killer guitars, the solos are insanely beautiful. "Your Blood Is Violence" is a great rocker that follows by "Walk The Silent Hours", a great half ballad until it's time to rock again in "The Day After The Night Before", powerful with a big chorus. The guitar heavy "Come Holy Men" continues the powerful tracks until it's time to wave good bye with the closing tune "Can’t Buy Yourself A Heaven", half acoustic guitars surrounds Catley's vocals the long walk to then round off with a magical guitar solo like no other. To sum this up, "The Monster Roars" is a very good album by a band, they have mastered the craftmanship over 50 years and still continue to serve us listners with classy and hook laden rockers and this is really shows that the monster MAGNUM still roars. The only down side I can see is the artwork, I do miss Rodney Matthews fantasy!

Throughout those five decades the band mainstays have been vocalist Bob Catley and songwriter Tony Clarkin on guitar. The current line up is made up of more recent recruits bassist Dennis Ward, Rick Benton on keyboards and drummer Lee Morris.

Sum: MAGNUM shows that “The Monster Roars”.

Today's tune "I Won't Let You Down", taken from “The Monster Roars”, enjoy!



More info @

Official Magnum Web

Listen to ”Magnum - I Won't Let You Down" on Spotify!



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