MAGNUM – Sacred Blood ‘Divine’ Lies (2016)

British melodic hard rock icons MAGNUM will release their new album, “Sacred Blood ‘Divine’ Lies“, on February 26, 2016 via Steamhammer/SPV as a digipak version (including a DVD), 2LP colored version, and regular CD.
“Sacred Blood ‘Divine’ Lies” is Magnum’s 19th studio album and in my humble opinion is one of the best of their fruitful career. The masterful songwriting by Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley’s expressive singing has really helped to raise Magnums profile these last few years, and this new album not only confirms that, it raised the bar even better for this veteran, quintessential British rock band.

Tony is on a songwriting roll, as he made no secret of the fact that he had already starting writing for this album while touring the 2014 release ‘Escape From The Shadow Garden’ last year. In fact there where so many songs for this album, the band had a hard time choosing the track list (there will be three extra tracks on the DVD digipak).
The title and opening track ‘Sacred Blood, ‘Divine’ Lies’ is a near seven minute epic, Tony sets the scene with a simple yet effective riff for Bob to sing over, this is a typical Magnum pomp song, a great soaring chorus, great use of time changes, a guitar solo that is quite frankly sublime and some damn fine drumming from Harry James just makes you want to listen to this song on repeat.
On ‘Crazy Old Mothers’ Mark Stanway does what Tony did on track 1, he lays down a great Piano/organ intro for Bob to sing over, another great track clocking in at nearly six minutes. Tony plays the intro later on guitar as the song builds to a climax, before a lonely outro by Mark. Superb stuff.

‘Gypsy Queen’ is more of a straight forward track, more hard rocking than the previous two, lifted by Tony undeniable gifted playing. There’s some tasteful drumming on this from Harry, always complimentary in his playing but can take a lead role when needed as demonstrated on later tracks.
‘Princess in the Rags’ has a nice groove to it, a well-rounded rocker with a punchy guitar kick that gives this song a lift, a soaring solo adds more layers, adding to the solid rhythm section arrangement.
‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’ is a typical Magnum ballad, far more intelligent and better written than most ballads today. There’s Catley singing like only he can sing a sorrowful song.

‘Afraid of the night’ is a very different song altogether, full of elaborated time changes and arrangements make this a fascinating listen. Al Barrow’s bass fretwork on this is the glue that binds it all together.
‘A Forgotten Conversation’ is the standout track for me on this standout album, a gentle introduction has Bob once again singing over Mark’s keyboard lushness, before the pounding rhythm section join in to give the song a harder edge, towards the end Tony lays down a stunning solo.
‘Quiet Rhapsody’ certainly needs a good few listens to fully appreciate it: an electronic, atmospheric intro in its presentation gives way to a funk based rocker. Bobs vocals on this album have been particular impressive so far, and he handles this change with ease.

‘Twelve Men Wise and Just’ is another six minute plus epic piece of story telling like only Magnum can do, a great upbeat rocker with a great sing-a-long chorus, some clever drumming and a glorious harmony at the end.
Closing track ‘Don’t Cry Baby’ is equally as good as anything else on the album, gentle to begin with before getting heavier, however where this song excels is the substitution of the guitar solo for a Piano solo, an inspired piece of writing from Tony and the gang. Tony’s guitar does make a brief appearance at the end as the song fades out.

Magnum continues releasing a great album after another, getting better as unit every year. This 2016 sees the band releasing “Sacred Blood ‘Divine’ Lies”, one of the best records of their history.
The band keep doing what they do best and with Clarkin at the controls and his able cohort Catley, the starship remains in rude good shape.
With this new album Magnum emerges – nearly 40 years after their debut – fresh, relevant and, yes, even redolent of the glory days.
Highly Recommended.

01. Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies
02. Crazy Old Mothers
03. Gypsy Queen
04. Princess In Rags (The Cult)
05. Your Dreams Won’t Die
06. Afraid Of The Night
07. A Forgotten Conversation
08. Quiet Rhapsody
09. Twelve Men Wise And Just
10. Don’t Cry Baby
11. Phantom Of Paradise Circus

Bob Catley – Vocals
Tony Clarkin – Guitars
Mark Stanway – Keyboards
Al Barrow – Bass
Harry James – Drums

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