Speaking as someone who grew up and still lives in one of the satellite towns around England’s second city, it is interesting that when you meet people and they ask where you’re from you say instinctively: “Birmingham.” Magnum must feel a bit like this. They aren’t a “Birmingham” band. Yet they get called one a lot. The reality is that prior to this show they had only played the city once in twenty years (I was there too, and it was rather good. It always is.)
This concert, at the gorgeous Symphony Hall, was clearly one deserving of preservation. Surely one of the highlights for the band, and it comes over throughout. I had a word in my head when listening to this live CD. Well, two actually. The first one was “damn”. That was because I should have been at this gig. The Beast From The East hit the very afternoon it was originally supposed to take place and it got postponed. Then I couldn’t make the rearranged show.
The second word that I couldn’t shake while listening to “Live At The Symphony Hall” was “underrated”.
Now, that word is a cliché (like “literally” it is misused by idiots). So I looked the definition up:
“underrate
/ʌndəˈreɪt/Submit
verb
past tense: underrated; past participle: underrated
underestimate the extent, value, or importance of (someone or something).”
And seriously, when you think of it like this, isn’t that Magnum? I’ve always thought it of Saxon too, in fairness. Other bands seem to garner much more publicity for being way less good. Other bands seem to get on the front cover of magazines, while Magnum – and by that really I mean Bob Catley, the bands incredible singer and Tony Clarkin who writes the songs – go under the radar a bit. Maybe that’s how they like it, I don’t know, but crikey they are good when they’re in this form.
What they always seem to do is keep things fresh with wonderful new songs and classics from the past and this is no different. They even manage to start with something you might not expect. “When We Were Younger” from their 2007 record is a poignant opener, but like everything else it fits right in here.
Last years “Lost On The Road To Eternity” is mined a few times – not least for a glorious title track featuring Edguy/Avantasia main man Tobias Sammet (who had flown in specifically). At the end of the track he yells: “Magnum! The greatest band in the world!” and its hard to disagree that they are – and always have been – the best at what they do.
Primarily because they never follow trends and never sound like anyone else. “Crazy Old Mothers” sounds autobiographical, but more than anything it is perfect Magnum.
New keyboard player Rick Benton lays the bedrock for “Without Love” – which is almost funky – and another of the new tracks “Peaches And Cream” has an almost Free-type riff, and make no mistake, it’s stomping hook is the sort of thing that will stay in sets for a long time.
Speaking of which, there’s a fair smattering of classics here too. “How Far Jerusalem” “All England’s Eyes” (I’ll admit a personal favourite) and “Vigilante” are as good as it gets, while the epic “Le Morts Dansant” (played about halfway through) is quite marvellous.
Like most of the best bands, there is a real bond, a warmth, and yes a love, between the group and their fans. When Sammet, Rebecca Downes and Lee Small return back to the stage for the closer “When The World Comes Down” that feeling comes through perfectly.
One of MV’s reviewers was there to watch this, and this is what he said of the night: “If you weren’t there, then whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to Magnum, then I’d suggest that the CD goes on your essential shopping list.”
It’s hard to disagree. Magnum, then. The kings of Melodic Metal for decades. This is their (near) hometown victory parade. They deserve it too.
Rating 9/10
