2010/11 has been an extremely busy period 'output-wise' for the hidden jewel that is 'Magnum'. What with "The Visitation", "The Storyteller's Collection", "The Gathering" and now "Evolution" there has been a constant stream of merchandise to keep fans old and new occupied. The highlight of 2010 was a one-off festival appearance in Victoria Park, London, where the band bravely eschewed their 'hits' in favour of a set-list culled mainly from more recent albums. A phenomenally successful tour highlighting songs old and new has been extended to include several more gigs in December. See them if you can get a ticket!
Their latest offering "Evolution" sees the band reworking 10 songs from the period of their rebirth after a few years' hiatus. Song writer and woefully overlooked/ underrated tune-smith Tony Clarkin has revisited such classics as "When we were Younger", "All My Bridges" and "Blood on Your Barbed Wire Thorns" and has polished and embodied them with more depth and power. Particularly attractive to the hard-core fans will be 2 previously unreleased tracks "The Fall" and "Do You Know Who You Are?" Both are truly excellent additions to the band's huge repertoire with a wonderful guitar lick on "The Fall" bound to bring a beaming smile to fans' faces!
One star knocked off for the non-appearance of the truly awesome 'missing track' "Eyes Like Fire". OI! Clarkin, Catley, Barrow, Stanway and James. Get it released !!