MAGNUM The Monster Roars | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Steamhammer Records on January 14th, 2022

Quick Background

Magnum are an English hard rock band formed in Birmingham by Tony Clarkin (guitar, songwriter) and Bob Catley (vocals). They have undergone several changes in personnel over the years; however, the core of Catley and Clarkin remains. Their debut studio album was released back in 1978! Chase the Dragon (1982) and On a Storyteller's Night (1985) are considered their best / most important albums. In recent years, my favorite album is Sacred Blood "Divine" Lies (2016). 

The Monster Roars

The Monster Roars is their 22nd studio album, quite impressive. I don't know how many bands have such an extensive catalog, but I don't think many. As a reference the Rolling Stones have 30 and are one of the oldest bands in activity. Anyways, the new effort follows The Serpent Rings (2020) and features a whopping collection of 12 songs in 60 minutes. 

Over the last two decades the band has been very consistent in not only releasing an album every other year but also maintaining their trademark sound. Bob Catley voice is beautiful and distinguished and Tony Clarkin knows how to write catchy melodies. Magnum creates tasteful hard rock with epic feel and a power metal edge. Keyboards and orchestrations add to their soundscape to create huge moments and choruses. Melody is the name of the game here. Songs and vocal lines are memorable and contagious, soon you will get those choruses stuck in your head and you will be singing them along.

There's no need to discuss songs individually, for one there are too many and also they are very similar. With that said, some are more upbeat (e.g. title track and "Remember") and others midtempo and more melancholic with stylish string accompaniment as in the single "I Won't Let You Down". "The Present Not the Past" is however one of my favorites. It's a subtle build up and that epic contagious feel that Magnum are the masters of. Very groovy and catchy chorus.   

Now there is one curve ball on the album "No Steppin' Stones". Not that I love this song but I do appreciate that they did something a little bit different. When the song started I thought I pressed a button and was listening to another band, more specifically something like The Glenn Miller Orchestra. It's weird but interesting.  

When it comes to the vocals, Bob is a legend, how does he still sound so good after 50 years is beyond me. The guitarwork is effective but rarely takes the central stage. And the production is again modern, clear and pristine. Similar to the latest albums. 

The Picky Guy

The no brainer criticism here is that the album is more of the same. There's very little new things in this albums that we haven't heard before from this band. The last few albums all blend in together and the main different just comes to song writing and personal connection to the songs. The other thing for me is that the album is way too long in both minutes and number of songs. So some songs like "That Freedom Word" were not really necessary to be in there.

Wrap Up Opinion 

Magnum delivers what you would expect from them. High quality hard rock with big choruses, addictive melodies and tasteful guitar work.  The band doesn't adventure outside their comfort zone, so no surprises really. You know what you get and that's very similar to previous albums, the good news is that it's all high quality music writing and execution. Therefore it's a good album, 81/100. Old time fans can go for it and for new fans, this is as good as any of the last records. 

SCORE: 81/100

Genre: Hard Rock

Released by Steamhammer Records on January 14th, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

wordcount = 611