The strongest album the band have released since 'Goodnight LA' in their late eighties/early nineties heyday.

It's unbelievable to think that for almost forty years Magnum have been amongst the most consistent leading lights in the British Rock fraternity, and continue to impress with their unique style and mix of powerful energy, deep melody and perceptive lyrics, their songs immediately captivate their audience and never lose any of their fascination. As a loyal fan for many years I was looking forward to sampling their latest release, 'The Visitation', which is due out on Steamhammer/SPV in Europe in January 2011.

The band, which consists of long term stalwarts Tony Clarkin (guitar), Bob Catley (vocals) and Mark Stanway (keyboards), together with Al Barrow (bass) and Harry James (drums), have invested all their passion, skill and great experience to come up with a really great album which instantly sounds more rock-oriented than recent releases and at the same time I feel is more personal than anything Magnum have recorded in a long time. What makes it so special is the fact that the music's arrangements match the atmosphere and the lyrics' statements are a true pleasure to listen to.

The track 'Mother Nature's Final Dance' really highlights the destructive way that we treat our environment, and the up-beat rocker 'Freedom Day' is a kind of praise to self-determination and fight against oppression, together with the excellent opening track 'Black Skies', strange tapping intro aside. My personal favourites on the album though are the outstanding 'Wild Angels' and 'Spin Like a Wheel', which could easily have featured on the classic 'Vigilante' album from 1986, they are that good. The cover artwork, which was again created by artist Rodney Matthews, reflects the lyrics of 'Door To Nowhere', which has Magnum looking back at their own childhood, and it would hardly be possible for a track to be more typical of this band with its explosive guitar parts, quality arrangements and soaring vocals.

To sum it up, 'The Visitation' is a real return to form for Magnum after the last three of four indifferent releases, and for me without doubt is the strongest album the band have released since 'Goodnight LA' in their late eighties/early nineties heyday. So make sure you try and catch Uncle Bob and Co on their tour in early 2011. Highly Recommended.

Mark Warburton