The best Magnum plate since the Reunion

Tony Clarkin is a phenomenon. The bald mid-sixties is not only a gifted guitarist. With age, his compositions are still a bit of genius and his productivity peaked (from 2007 there is almost every year a new publication). Since the mid-70s, he is the creative mastermind behind the British melodic rock Magnum legend and tailors Meistersänger Bob Catley again and again sensational cuddly, warm hymns to the body. Together with keyboardist Mark Stanway and changing rhythm fractions (from 2002 Al Barrow on bass and 2009. Harry James rose firmly on drums a) they celebrate since their debut "Kingdom of Madness" (1978) as no other band the solemn, large-scale feeling rock. 2012 almost 35 years later, they have lost none of their fascination.

On the contrary, her now 16 Opus "On the 13th day" is full of vitality and catchiness. And it is the hardest by far album in its history. The guitars fry that it is a pleasure. Metal is not that, but very crisp Hard Rock. Magnum is excellent. The last LP "The Visitation" and the Best of "Evolution" (both from 2011) had already a lot of pressure, but the new album is just a tad bit more difficult. The predecessor had perhaps here and there, the better individual songs, the overall impression is the successor but harmonious and round.

The opening track "All The Dreamers" begins with a dreamy "Huhu" and keyboard. After almost 1.20 but then stomps a lot legs wide reef that sweeps immediately. Magnum provide the soundtrack for all her fans: "All the Dreamers will come, And They bring heart and soul, 'cause they' re all here to rock and roll." You crawl out of their holes, all the dreamers and enthusiastic bounce around. A rich, pleasantly hearty entry.

The same applies for "Blood Red Laughter". In the Strofen the number slightly swaying there, but in the chorus they are real power. Also noteworthy is the endgeile solo towards the end. Clarkin literally flies through the song. What a feeling noise. Bärenstark!

"Did not like you anyway" then takes out some hardness. The leisurely mid-tempo ballad acts initially somewhat unspectacular, but gains little by little on quality. Exactly such songs Miss tuned critics often take the breast if they are to prove the alleged honesty and predictability of Magnum. Let them. I like it.

My absolute favorite on the album is the title track "On the 13th Day". Tony Clarkin takes a critical look at the text with the ongoing search for meaning of humanity apart. Musically the whole thing is just sensational. Satter rock mid-tempo and a dynamic, lively chorus to die for. This title has increased potential for addiction.

The same can also be the single, "So let it rain" attribute. After many years a Magnum-single, which is, however, criticized here and there appear before the album finally back. Supposing Tony Clarkin commercial calculus. Such accusations can only by non-fans come because true followers of the band know that such compositions are very typical of the weighty beard. Sure, there are slightly more strings to hear than usual, but that's the rocky character of the title no harm. The boxes bursting almost intoxicating feeling storm. Correct gripping.

"Dance of the Black Tattoo 'is textually the hardest number of CD. The silent deaths follow a step by step and the desert reef grinning nastily at. The parallels to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" are more than obvious, but Magnum add it all their own touch to the by with radio question and answer game between guitar and keyboard. So a somewhat ordinary song is still for a blessing for ears.

"Shadow Town" is one of the most compelling compositions that Tony Clarkin has ever made. Initially, as almost every piece of the new LP in the middle "Mitwipp tempo" settled, she explodes in sparking, filigree chorus. That's powerful melodic rock in the noblest accomplishment. Better it does not.

The only dispensable number of "On the 13th Day" means "putting things in place". Not necessarily bad, but a little too ordinary. Although the dramatic chorus is quite nice.

After the brief Ausruh phase give Magnum just before the end again right material. "Broken Promises" is an incredibly powerful, driving rock grenade. The guitar fry like crazy and Bob Catley perched powerful over everything. For those songs I love this band. Especially recommended on highways without speed limit. Hisses just wonderful from that part. Yes!

"See how they fall" sounds heavy similar, but is the arrangement ago rather a classic melodic metal song. The keyboard is blowing a fanfare, Catley prances supple by Strofen and bombastic chorus leaves all other Genre sizes look old. In addition to the theme song my favorite on the album. How to uninhibited, powerful rock music.

In conclusion then follows the like Bob Catley called it, "wavy arms ballad" entitled "From Within". In this segment, Magnum makes no before what. Skillfully they stage the solemn choral singing and magic every fan a happy smile on your face. There it is again, the feel-good factor that has given way to some of the angry resignation in recent years. Leisurely and just nice end.

In the Limited Edition, there is a bonus CD. "Those were the days" is a demo from the period 1989/1990. This title plays on any album, but provides a line of text for the song "Heartbroke and busted" from the "Goodnight LA" LP from 1990. nice piece.

"Eyes Like Fire" fans is already on the limited edition of the last album "The Visitation" (2011) known. He was then awarded a video, but did not find their way to the regular plate. During recording sessions for "On the 13th Day" he was then but as a free download on the band's homepage. Still very nice that we have finally released this convincing, Magnum typical song in the audio version on CD.

Otherwise this: the acoustic versions of "Blood Red Laughter" and "Shadow Town", as well as live recordings of the songs "We all need to be loved" and "The Moon King" of the last tour. Magnum always offer the fans since 2007 an additional CD or DVD. This is value for money.

"On the 13th day" is an impressive late work. Once again, the House and court artist Rodney Matthews contributed one of his beloved fantasy cover that adds to the overall package that final touch and the music depicts appropriate. The only minor drawback of the LP is the little wooden drum sound of Harry James. Here and there you could wish for a little more volume and pressure. Otherwise, the whole thing is great.

Oh, how much I love this band. They make music that neither cool nor is modern, yet they achieve in their old age still respectable chart positions. The last work "The Visitation" cracked the top 20 in 19th place even in Germany. "On the 13th Day" after all, managed to rank 28th

Let's hope that Magnum will still bring one or another new album on the market. Too many should there no longer be, as Clarkin and Catley attention go to the 70 and they always plaguing health problems. So perhaps explains the high productivity of the guitarist. As long as they are because it's so enjoy. They give a good reason to be.