Magnum – The Serpent Rings (CD, 2LP, CD+2LP+extras box) SPV

British melodic / pomp rock legends Magnum are back with their 21st studio album and it is another cracker. 

Formed in the West Midlands in the early 70s, Magnum came to prominence around the same time as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal but were always too melodic to really be associated with it. A split in the early 90s was followed by a millennial reformation, and while members have come and gone, mainstays and founders guitarist / song writer Tony Clarkin and vocalist Bob Catley have kept the sound alive and as strong as ever. This is also the first album to feature bassist Dennis Ward, replacing the long time bassist Al Barrow (amicably, due to logistical reasons). 

Opener Where Are You Eden kicks off with a bigger production than usual, as the strings appear throughout the song as well as augmenting intro; all the classic Magnum riffs and melodies are there but in places it’s a little heavier than usual. Ward fits in perfectly, and Rick Benton’s keyboards flow and augment just as well; as usual with Magnum all changes are pretty seamless. Magnum always deliver on promises, consistently, and this album is no different. 

One thing that’s obvious about the bigger production is that Catley’s vocals are encompassed, embraced, rather than separated; much the same can be said of a Clarkin guitar solo (You Can’t Run Faster Than A Bullet a good example). The band are always tight, and the Magnum template is consistently perpetuated, even when lyrical themes are thought provoking (Madman Or Messiah). Archway Of Tears has a intro, the piano and vocals effect works well. As the song builds there’s a hark back to the late 80s Magnum too.

Touches of brass, later on add a jazzy feel, and whatever critics say about Catley’s vocals (I’m not interested) – the power shown and ability to match Clarkin’s melodies are just spot on. 

A wonderful album throughout – there will always be that safe element that comes with the consistency, but then you are always guaranteed a strong album with Magnum. Always. This is as an important part of the Magnum catalogue as any other album, and with Rodney Matthews’ wonderful cover art (again elements allude to his previous work with Magnum), a great package. 8/10

Joe Geesin

Available as CD, Vinyl, and MP3 from Amazon.