Monday 30 January 2017

#20 - Top of 2016

Magnum - Sacred Blood, "Divine" Lies (Steamhammer)

Prolific rockers Magnum returned this year with the 19th studio album in their long and successful career, and boy they are still awesome. This album is a continuation of a "second youth" for the band, seeing them release excellent albums in the last years such as Escape from the Shadow Garden. The record starts with the dynamic title-track "Sacred Blood, Divine Lies" which showcases melodic guitar riffs (by Tony Clarkin) and Bob Catley's clear vocals, before moving to the unique power ballad-feeling "Crazy Old Mothers" (with great piano strokes by Mark Stanway)! The is no lack of catchy tunes with examples like the groovy "Gypsy Queen", the drums-based rocker "Princess In Rags (The Cult)" and pounding "Quiet Rhapsody" with its superb guitar solo! The dramatic "Afraid of the Night" (one of the personal highlights of the record!) is another melodic song which mixes perfectly heavy riffs and imposing symphonic elements that is followed by the interesting "A Forgotten Conversation" which starts off with a subtle introduction before giving us some amazing choruses. The album wraps up with the epic storytelling "Twelve Men Wise And Just" (and its upbeat sing-along chorus) and the equally amazing "Don't Cry Baby"! The album is bound to stay in your playlist for a while and can be a great introduction to Magnum's long song-writing career!


93/100

Below is the music video for the song "Crazy Old Mothers".



2 comments:

  1. Brilliant album my best choice since Wings Of Heaven. Thanks guys. ��

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