CHASE THE DRAGON

After a promising debut and a disappointed second album, Magnum finally reached fruition with this third album - their best from the early days, and together with 1988's Wings Of Heaven, their best ever. In many ways it was with Chase The Dragon that Magnum found their own musical identity. New keyboard player Mark Stanway debuted on this album and he shines here, especially on the superb into to Sacred Hour. Chase The Dragon was also the first to have a sleeve designed by the great Rodney Matthews. Matthews would go on to design many sleeves for Magnum and many other Prog and related bands.

There are several songs on this album that went on to become Magnum classics and live favourites. These songs include the aforementioned Sacred Hour, that went on to become the standard concert closer for the band to the present day. The Spirit and Soldier Of The Line are other classics that have been played at many a Magnum concert.

Once again a Magnum album would be delayed a couple of years after it had been recorded. Their debut album was recorded in 1976, but was held back by the record company until 1978. This third album was recorded in 1980, but was not released until 1982. Just like the debut probably would have been able to make a greater impact in '76 than in '78, Chase The Dragon would probably had better chances in '80 than in '82.

I used to give this only three stars, but I think that it stands out so much among the band's early albums that it deserves four stars.

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