Magnum in top form

Well Sanctuary Records has set up the old classic Magnum new and provided with compulsory bonus tracks. It's like always with bonus tracks: As die-hard fan you here a few interesting additions, but it could also be that they already own in any way. For all other they bring a limited profit. But if ever a new edition, then please with bonus material, because simply more value for money. In the following review but I want to concentrate on the main songs.
As this 1982 LP was released, I must have been one of the first who bought it at the time, it should namely have been in February and I can still remember that snow was when I read the original English-pressing time in the record store of my choice acquired.
For me remains "Chase The Dragon" still the most powerful and dynamic publication of Magnum. Jointly responsible for this undoubtedly Jeff Glixman, who had already produced the significant slices of Kansas at that time. I went to when I now hear the original original version of "The Lights Burned Out" as a bonus on the rerelease and compared with the version that eventually nursed -from Glixman - landed on the LP. Magnum arrived here a power and dynamics which they could not achieve before or since, although they will still were delivering good albums. The represented here Versions of "The Spirit" or "Sacred Hour" are here better than any live version. Even otherwise, it is teeming with class songs. There are no failures. The compositions are very traditional in the best sense of the word and have atmosphere. The fantastic cover artwork by Rodney Matthews and the music of Magnum meld almost become one. Even the non-poor's 1983 follow-up "The Eleventh Hour" loses to "Chase The Dragon" something to dimension. And certainly everything that came after. After "Storytellers Night" and "Vigilante", where you have had to accept some compromises, you came in always shallower pop rock waterway which, although in the late 1980s / culminated in a not inconsiderable commercial success in the early 1990s, but the fan of the early stage rather repel could.
I can recommend the early albums of Magnum fully. It should find all people from favor, like the melodic rock with its own character. Representing these albums (Kingdom of Madness, Magnum II, Marauder - live, Chase The Dragon, The Eleventh Hour) is just particularly singled out The Dragon and considered by me with 5 points.