SACRED BLOOD DIVINE LIES

Faithful to their recent pattern of frequent releases, Magnum return with a yet another album that features the excellent artwork of Rodney Matthews, with clear references to their 80's releases (Chase the Dragon, The Eleventh Hour). The similarities to the predecessor "Escape From The Shadow Garden" don't end here since the character of the song-writing and overall approach is unchanged: pompous melodic hard rock.

The difference that makes me rate this album just a notch higher is the wider involvement/visibility of Stanway's keyboard work that colours a lot of the compositions rather than simply relying on Clarkin's riffage. Catley, despite his 68 years (!), still delivers solid vocal melodies with some of the harmonies resembling their best (80's) albums. "Sacred Blood, Divine Lies" seems to be less affected by balladry (thank God for that) and sounds more balanced than its predecessor. Still, tracks such as "Your Dreams Won't Die" could be absent but we can't have it all...

Of course prog is not featured but the enjoyment reaches peak with the anthemic title track and signature-Magnum-melody driven "Princess In Rags", "A Forgotten Conversation" and "Twelve Men Wise And Just" with the rest not so far behind. Again, Magnum fans won't be dissapointed and proggers may feel a bit of prog/AOR nostalgia listening to some of the vocal lines.

In context then, 3 (-) stars deserved; a band that still uphold their reputation

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