MAGNUM
'ON A CHRISTMAS DAY single'
(SPV/Steamhammer) - Review bei Ian Sutherland for Metaltalk.net
Release Date: 01/12/14
When approached by their record company about taking the unusual step for a rock band of recording and releasing a xmas single Magnum pointed out they had included such a track on their 1994 album 'Rockart'. So here we have a rerecorded version of that original song from twenty years ago ready to do battle with 'Merry Xmas Everybody' et al.
This being Magnum this is of course not a xmas song in the traditional sense. The song was inspired by first world war events where on Christmas Day in 1914 there was an unofficial truce in some areas of the western front and soldiers from both sides fraternised openly and even played a game of football in one instance. This example of humanity in the midst of one of the most violent episodes in human history has a poignancy which has been highlighted in films and documentaries and most of us will have seen that it has even been used by a supermarket for a xmas advert this year.
The song itself sounds typically Magnum and well suited to the subject matter. It is full of their trademark melodies and guitar hooks and features an excellent impassioned vocal from Bob Catley. Epic yet emotional it works really well and the rerecording has simply improved on the original version sonically without much meddling with the song itself.
This single(available as digital download and 10 inch vinyl) has the full seven minute version of the song plus a radio edit. Also included is another rerecording of an old song, 'Born To Be King' from 1990's 'Goodnight LA' album. Included I assume as the lyrics seem to be about Jesus Christ it is a more uptempo rocker but another good song.
The xmas single has not been a genre where rock bands have had a lot of success but I think Magnum might buck that trend here. The song is good enough, melodic enough and relevant to the current interest in the centenary of the start of WW1 so might even get some mainstream airplay. Despite the songs here being old content rerecorded they sound in tune with the rich current vein of form Magnum are in and I see this going down well with the hardcore fans too. A merry but poignant xmas to one and all!
4 pints
Tony Clarkin - guitars
Bob Catley - vocals
Mark Stanway - keyboards
Al Barrow - bass
Harry James – drums
Online:
http://www.magnumonline.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAGNUM/130643409137
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQqKQsJOuVc
