Magnum – Dance Of The Black Tattoo
Release Date: 8th January 2021
Label: Steamhammer / SPV
Pre-Order/Stream
Genre: Melodic Rock, AOR, Pomp Rock.
FFO: Kansas, Uriah Heep, Styx.
Review By: Paul Franklin
Three years ago, Magnum released The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads, as the name suggests it was a compilation that focused on their quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side. Now, in order to create a companion piece, guitarist and band mastermind Tony Clarkin has delved deep into their extensive archives of rare live cuts and radio edits to put together the 14 tracks on Dance Of The Black Tattoo, highlighting the band’s anthemic, harder rocking songs. “There have always been two aspects to Magnum; a slightly more tender and lyrical facet, but first and foremost of course our powerful, rocking side. And that’s the element that Dance Of The Black Tattoo documents impressively.”
The album kicks off with a series of live versions of previously exclusive bonus tracks from Escape From The Shadow Garden, namely Black Skies, Freedom Day, All My Bridges, On A Storyteller’s Night and Dance Of The Black Tattoo. These are followed by radio edits of their seasonal anti-war number On Christmas Day and the fan favourite Born To Be King previously only available on vinyl or for digital download.
Phantom Of Paradise Circus and No God Or Saviour are both bonus tracks from Sacred Blood – Divine Lies. Then some more live tracks Your Dreams Won’t Die and Twelve Men Wise And Just before the compilation is rounded off by three previously unreleased radio edits, Show Me Your Hands, Not Forgiven and Madman Or Messiah, from the studio recordings of the bands last two studio albums.
As you would expect with nearly 50 years’ experience the whole thing radiates with the dedication and professionalism of all the band members. The remastered tracks sound polished and the live tracks sound fresh and dynamic. However, splitting your back catalogue into ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ albums can be risky. I know that one criticism that was levelled at the previous compilation was the lack of variety and pace, and the same might be said here.
OK. Confession time.
Despite the fact that they have been around for longer than I have, I have never listened to a Magnum album. Even better (or worse?) I don’t think I have ever listened to a Magnum song. They just never appealed to the teenager discovering rock through Grunge and Nu Metal, then when I got older (and wiser?) and discovered that there was music prior to The Black Album, they were never one of the big names to check out. So, after listening to this will I go and delve into their extensive back catalogue?
To be honest, no. Despite everything I have said above, it’s just not my thing.
However, I am well aware that the band have a large and loyal fanbase who will not give a toss about my opinion (which is fair enough!) and will more than likely snap this release up to fill the gap till the next studio album.
(2.5 / 5)
