LIVE REVIEW: Eternal greatness from Magnum in Belfast

WHATEVER has happened to Magnum over the past couple of years needs to be added to the water, because when they played Belfast on Thursday, March 1st, they appeared to be a band rejuvenated and rejoicing once again to be on stage.

Despite the Beast From The East blowing gales and snow showers a healthy enough crowd turned out to the Limelight, buzzing to be in the heat and wearing various layers of 'beer sweaters'.

Helping warm up the venue the Davy Watson Band. A hard rocking bluesy set was welcomed with its determined, tight playing.

Stand-out song in their set was 'One World', dedicated to the vision of Bob Marley's track with the same title and the vision of a united global people.

Magnum arrived on stage with an almost evangelical gait - no matter what has transpired in the past this was a band ready to reconquer.

Compared to past shows the band seemed to be almost reborn. Sure, only Bob and Tony remain as the 'original' members, but this has the look and the sound of a band with a second breath.

'Lost On The Road To Eternity' is one helluva strong album, with Clarkin's writing, Catley's voice and the flourishes of Benton giving real texture.

And, on a Belfast stage that stood out. Despite being eligible for a bus pass Catley is an energetic frontman who has a twinkle in the eye and a knowing nod to the audience as they play 'When We Were Younger' and 'Crazy Old Mothers'.

It is the wit of the songs and their playing with an exquisite looseness that made this show by Magnum special.

'Show me your hands' the Limelight was commanded, and the audience obeyed...not slavish, but in adoration.

Al Barrow grinned from the side of the stage, bass slung like an instrument of joy, while throughout the set Clarkin gave thumbs up to the rapturous response.

Benton's bearded face off popped up from behind the bank of keyboards, while Lee played with aplomb. But, it was the interaction between the band was clear.

Sure, songs like 'How Far Jerusalem', Les Morts Dansant' and 'Vigilante' were greeted like old friends, however, they seemed to have been given a fresh lease of life, with tweaks and added sections.

Most impressive of all was 'Don't Wake The Lion/Too Old To Die Young'. Simply astounding.

Magnum are now be a band that has transitioned from the glory days of the 80s to an act that has firmly established themselves as vibrant and relevant in 2018.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

ALBUM REVIEW: Sumptuous, elegant, edgy eloquence from majestic Magnum on album #20

BY now you would expect veterans like Magnum to be calling in their albums, dialled straight in, with all the formula expected. Not for the Brummie rockers. Nope, this is a band that have a distinctive sound, but always stretch themselves.

And, on their 20th album, Lost On The Road To Eternity' they once again push what is expected of them to produce an album that is lush, filled with textures and touches that demand repeated listens to appreciate the depth within,

Opener 'Peaches and Cream' may have an innocuous title, but there is more than enough mid-tempo menace to intrigue and demand attention.

The theme is repeated throughout, and the tracks are allowed the time to breathe with the time and arrangements. Only the opener is less than five minutes (only by a second).

The eight-minute 'Welcome To The Cosmic Cabaret' is sumptuously wonderful, and deceptively edgy. Don't let the ease of the opening deceive you.

Title track 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' features a guest appearance from Tobias Sammet of Edguy/Avantasia fame. Given Bob Catley has contributed on Sammet's releases this may seem just as a favour returned, but it this is so much more. The atmosphere is added to with the Wolf Kerschek Orchestra adding that bit extra.

While Tony Clarikin and Catley remain the core of Magnum the addition of Lee Morris (taking over from Harry James (Thunder) and Rick Benton filling the shoes of Mark Stanaway, plus the 16-years serving bassist Al Barrow has given Magnum some deft touches.

It could be argued that the additions give the band overall a new breath, a new eagerness to stretch themselves creatively. Certainly some of the new rhythms and touches of other musical cultures beam through.

The growth of the band over the past 20 years has been exceptional. While some still demand the hits on the live circuit it is remiss of any Magnum fan to overlook recent releases, and especially this album.

Sure, 'Without Love' will stand out in any live set, the likes of the extraordinary closer, 'King of the World' and 'Ya Wanna Be Someone' deserve to be heard on stage. Indeed the latter becomes better with each listen.

With a tour already lines up to support 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' this is an album that every Magnum fan needs to grab hold of as soon as it is released.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Lost On The Road To Eternity is released in a variety of formats on January 19th on Steamhammer/SPV

Magnum play Belfast's Limelight on 1st March, 2018