Originally published by L.S. Media. September 25th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
On The Thirteenth Day…Magnum was created to rock the socks off die-hard rock and Progressive fans alike.
The new album from the legendary Midlands band follows a trend of superb albums by the group since they reformed in 2001 after a few years away and on various other projects. From 2004’s Brand New Mourning onwards, Magnum have notched up four excellent albums on the bounce and now On The Thirteenth Day joins that run of success and firmly establishes once and for all that Magnum should be seen as one of the best British Rock bands of all time.
The band have come a long way since the days of Kingdom of Madness, their 1978 debut album, and yet there is something that still causes the listeners heart to beat just that little bit faster, that little touch more enthusiastically with desire as you listen to the tracks off On The Thirteenth Day. Not only does Tony Clarkin write exceptional material for Magnum but he is complimented by one of the great voices in rock of Bob Catley. So rarely does this Yin/Yang combination work without some sort of disgruntled tension creeping in to the framework of an album or worse within the band itself.
Magnum has always been better than that and that is probably why the band continues to excel at everything they do. The addition of drummer extraordinaire Harry James and the exceptional Al Barrow on bass has given them a harder and yet much loved edge which complements the trio of Clarkin/Catley and Mark Stanway on keyboards.
Listening to On The Thirteenth Day, it soon becomes apparent to the listener that this five-piece are more than a band from the Midlands, they are a group of mates who trust in each other’s ability and what they bring to the group ethic. On songs such as Blood Red Laughter, the damning Didn’t Like You Anyway and the brilliance of See How They Fall the band produce great quality music whilst giving the listener the dilemma of forgetting work for a couple of days to rediscover the joys of the back catalogue once more.
Magnum has yet again reached for something many would deem impossible and achieved quality rock perfection. On The Thirteenth Day stands shoulder to shoulder with not only the highest points in a long and fruitful career but with some of the best rock produced by a British band. Exceptional!
Ian D. Hall