Grand Magus – Sunraven
Release Date: 18th October 2024
Label: Nuclear Blast
Bandcamp
Genre: Heavy Metal
FFO: Cathedral, Cirith Ungol, Eternal Champion, Visigoth.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Sometimes, all you ever need in life is a pure riff, and a driving rhythm section. The metal world is so caught up splitting and creating, often nonsensical, genres, blackened this, nu-that or whatever-core, that the term that birthed it all is all but forgotten. Sunraven is the 10th album by Swedish stalwarts Grand Magus, and it is a true heavy metal album.
Sunraven is essentially Beowulf, and the album is based on the characters from the old Anglo-Saxon poem about Beowulf and the monster Grendel. What is more heavy fucking metal than this!
Sunraven is an album that is incredibly easy to listen too. It is immediate, with the opening track ‘Skybound’ featuring a chorus that reaches deep inside you making you pump your fist, creating moments of unadulterated pleasure. You will throw horns, you will bang the head with ridiculous ease, and everything in the world will collate and become one.
Grand Magus have even become a little heavier! The riffs are predominant. They drip with drama and intent. The fact the band are a trio is irrelevant, they have created an album that is far greater than its parts. The epic title track, ‘Sunraven’ is an absolute joy to listen to. I’ve been singing the chorus, complete with guitar, in my head for days.
The doomy past of Grand Magus is not forgotten, although it is slightly pushed to one side. ‘The Black Lake´ hints at the bands past, but still has a modern Grand Magus feel.
Vocally, Janne “JB” Christoffersson absolutely nails it. His puts an authoritative stamp across each track and, at times, has a hint of David Coverdale about him. He sounds as strong on the 10th album as he has ever done.
Sunraven, to some, may be the bands finest hour. Grand Magus have released an album that has no weak points. It embraces its genre with pride and demonstrates how good a ‘Heavy Metal’ album can be.
The trio have combined to record a concept album that is neither trite nor self-indulgent. It is the polar opposite. Sunraven is captivating, exciting and ultimately a damn good listen.
(5 / 5)
