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Magnum: Sacred Blood Divine Lies
Magnum Sacred Blood Divine Lies CD Album Review

Magnum: Sacred Blood Divine Lies

Melodic Hard Rock
4.0/5.0

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SPV/Steamhammer
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.02.2016

There's much to be said for longevity, even more to be said for working at the occupation you love for more than 40 years. Magnum's birth was in 1972, as a cover band, but for four decades, excepting a brief split, vocalist Bob Catley and guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin, with band in tow, having been making music. That's some legacy.

Magnum Sacred Blood Divine Lies Band Photo

Magnum

So Magnum arrives with their nineteenth album in so many years, Sacred Blood Divine Lies. And in doing so, it's the same Magnum you know and love. These old dogs aren't about to experiment with new tricks. Nope. They stick to what they know and love: melodic hard rock in an AOR wrapper, maybe a touch of the symphonic or prog here and there. Actually, there's some hard rockin' songs here with the title track, Crazy Old Mothers, Princess In Rags, and the sharp guitar start of Afraid of the Night. Yet, that last tune is a fine example of how Magnum easily weaves synth orchestration into many of their arrangements. Another is A Forgotten Conversation where it leads the song, before giving way sharp riffs and a heavier groove. Also, following this motif, is Twelve Men Wise And Just, an excellent example of the right mixture of melody, groove, and pacing wrapped in symphonic embellishment. Yet, for all these things, with the motivational anthem Your Dreams Won't Die, Magnum reveals their magic when all these elements are wrapped up in AOR accessibility. In other words, Magnum can write songs that are simply hook laden and darn catchy. Musical ear candy as it were. So what then are we to conclude? Once more with Sacred Blood Divine Lies, Magnum is simply being Magnum, purveyors lively and entertaining AOR melodic hard rock. Recommended.

Magnum - Crazy Old Mothers


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In Short

Once more with Sacred Blood Divine Lies, Magnum is simply being Magnum, purveyors lively and entertaining AOR melodic hard rock. Recommended.

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