MAGNUM – Escape From The Shadow Garden LIVE (2015)
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British melodic rock icons MAGNUM will release a new live album, “Escape From The Shadow Garden – Live 2014“, through SPV/Steamhammer on May 11 as a super jewel case and double gatefold vinyl versions.
The album was recorded in the spring of past year at select venues on Magnum’s successful Escape From The Shadow Garden European tour, while presenting their last studio effort of the same name.
“Escape From The Shadow Garden – Live 2014” is a fitting reminder of just how good last year’s studio release ‘Escape from the Shadow Garden’ is.
The first 6 tracks are taken from Magnum’s last three studio albums, opening with ‘Live ’til You Die’ a modern classic Magnum song in the making. The opening riff to The Visitation’s ‘Black Skies’ gives the band a edger sound, Bob is sounding as good if not better than ever and what can you say about Tony Clarkin, the man is a genius.
‘Freedom Day’ and ‘Dance Of The Black Tattoo’ are defining Magnum’s new heavier sound and the band aren’t afraid to play them live with both five string bass player Al Barrow and drummer Harry James delivery a power house of a rhythm section.
Mark Stanway’s awe keyboard playing is as fluid and complementary as ever especially on ‘Freedom Day’ the interplay between Tony and Mark is just sublime, a true pleasure to listen to.
‘Blood Red Laughter’ is another strong track and deserves a place at the live table as well as the slow burning ‘Unwritten sacrifice’.
The second half of the set see’s Magnum delivery the classics, but there are so many of them it must be hard to choose the set list.
We get the mighty ‘How far Jerusalem’, the astonishingly moving ‘Les Morts Dasant’, the unexpected ‘Falling from the Big Plan’ (as it’s taken from the Escape album), then it’s back to the classic’s with the anthemic ‘All England’s Eyes’ and the uber catchy AOR of “Vigilante”.
‘Kingdom of Madness’, of course, rounds the set and the night off.
“Escape From The Shadow Garden – Live 2014” not only surprises for its excellent sound, but also for listen Magnum so vital, energetic onstage after all these years.
As said, the recording sound / mastering is first rate, and you have new songs / classics performed with muscle and sharpness.
Magnum never fail to impress, and this live release is no different, it is worthy of a place in your record collection.
Great one.
01 – Live ’til You Die
02 – Black Skies
03 – Freedom Day
04 – Dance Of The Black Tattoo
05 – Blood Red Laughter
06 – Unwritten Sacrifice
07 – How Far Jerusalem
08 – Les Morts Dansant
09 – Falling For The Big Plan
10 – All England’s Eyes
11 – Vigilante
12 – Kingdom Of Madness
Bob Catley – Vocals
Tony Clarkin – Guitars
Mark Stanway – Keyboards
Al Barrow – Bass
Harry James – Drum
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Shadow-Garden-Live-2014-Magnum/dp/B00TZ04YY4
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