Magnum – Lost On The Road To Eternity
Album Review by Adam McCann
Label : SPV/Steamhammer Records
Year : 2018
The Right Direction
Magnum are one of the most underrated and yet influential bands in the rock/metal world. Although their success in the UK and USA was limited to a few songs in the mid-80’s, Magnum excelled in Europe and had a profound impact on the power metal scene with Tobias Sammet naming Bob Catley as the best vocalist ever.
In recent years, Magnum have had a relatively rigid release schedule, their latest album ‘Lost on the Long Road to Eternity’ is their remarkable 20th studio album and it does see some personnel changes with long time keyboardist Mark Stanway stepping down to be replaced by Rick Benton with former Paradise Lost drummer Lee Morris joining the band replacing Thunder drummer Harry James. So, do these changes affect the band? Yes, of course, Stanway gave Magnum a signature sound (alongside Tony Clarkin) and that is difficult to replicate, however, Benton steps up to the plate which certainly gives ‘Lost on…’ a slightly different, but in no way inferior sound.
Magnum have been steered under the command of Clarkin and Catley for the best part of 45 years, give or take a short hiatus in the 90’s and it has been Clarkin’s writing which provided the perfect lines for Catley to add the colour. Once more, it is seen here on ‘Lost on…’ with excellent tracks such as ‘Peaches and Cream’, ‘Show Me Your Hands’, ‘Without Love’ and the superb title track in which Catley brings in his friend from Avantasia, Tobias Sammet and deliver one of the best Magnum tracks in recent years.
‘Lost on…’ is one of the best albums that you will hear this year, it sits perfectly alongside Magnum’s later releases in a band that just keeps going and giving.
Rating : 90/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
