In 1979, when every band was hardening up there sound to take advantage of the burgeoning NWOBHM scene that was exploding in the UK, good old Magnum stuck to their guns and made a super slick pomp rock follow up to Kingdom Of Madness. Considered a bit of a flop at the time, it failed to chart both for the album and the two singles that were released from it: Changes, and Foolish Heart.
I caught them live at the time supporting UFO, and they came across a lot heavier in the live setting. Obviously heavily influenced by the likes of Styx, they were a breath of fresh air at the time as they were different to all around them – they were a welcome change. The stand out tracks on the album are the Prog pomp madness of The Battle, which showcases Bob Catley’s distinct vocal style and Tony Clarkin’s riffs beef up the track, Reborn, which if you closed your eyes you think it was Styx playing in your room, and Firebird, which has that Jethro Tull quality about. Of course the band would have success with the two albums that followed this: Chase The Dragon, and Vigilante. Magnum are a very British band and a bit of a national treasure.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
