Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    Yeah, Didier -
    
    you can count me in as one of their fans. I have 4 of their albums
    
    Wings Of Heaven
    On a Storyteller's Night
    Magnum 1
    Magnum 2
    
    IMO their main strength lies in their songwriting. Their music is
    basically melody with b$$ls!
    
    I don't think that they have much of a following outside Europe?
    
    In today's "pretty boy" rock environment, they are not that
    fashionable to look at. Personally, this does not detract from
    the appeal one iota, but I know for sure that there are folks out
    there in audience land who think "if the face fits..."
    
    Fave Magnum toons :
    
    Great Adventure ; Kingdom of Madness ; Changes ; On a Storyteller's
    Night ; How far Jerusalem ; Vigilante ; Don't Wake THe Lion.
    
    If you like a bit of melody ; a gush of emotion and some power chords
    ..give these guys a listen.
    
    Gm.
              

Is "Wings Of Heaven" their latest piece ?

How does it compare to "Vigilante" ?


Didier

    
    Wings of Heaven is Magnum's latest album, and I think it is one of
    their weakest. I always liked their earlier stuff, sort of AOR with
    the odd rough edge strategically left in. Even so, the new album
    has it's moments, particularly on the track "Don't Wake the Lion".
    
    I don't normally listen to this melodic rock, I'm more into Metallica
    and Faith No More, but there is something about Magnum that has
    got me hooked. I've seen them live about seven times, an experience
    I can recommend to anyone (though Bob Catley's interminable waving
    at the audience gets a bit irritating).
    
    I'll post a complete album listing for you as soon as I can remember
    them all (their are about eight or nine "official" albums).
    
    Paul
    ----
    

                         
    I've been force fed Magnum by friends for the last 2 years.
                         
    I hate them !! Their sound is so castrated - so boring.
                         
    I could fall asleep listening to Bob Catleys "singing" or Tony Martins
    playing.                                     
                                                 
    No flames, I just think they are a boring old band that are trying
    to get on the Cars/Mr Mister/Foreigner wagon.

    Tony,
    
    re -1) your opening "shot" says it all.
    
    Being "force fed" any kind of music usually invokes one of two
    extremes. Either you become a disciple or you become a detester.
    
    You obviously follow the latter course....!!
    
    Magnum work hard and have overcome many impossible hurdles in their
    career that would sent many a band scuppering off to the "Musicians
    Wanted" columns. IMO , their music stands head and shoulders above
    many other so-called melodic rock bands.
    
    I certainly wouldn't call them Foreigner clones, Magnum have a beefier
    , more accomplished sound (check out Big Tone!!).
    
    Lyrically, there's some good stuff in there - just scratch the
    surface. With other "blandish" AOR groups the word "Love" in the
    title just abounds to such a degree, that they should include
    a free puke bag with every copy of the record. I'm not saying
    that Magnum don't avoid the topic, but there's a lot more to
    them.
    
    Jeez, if this particular emotion was phased out, I guess a whole
    category of music would vanish.
    
    I realise that you did not intend to flame, but to say you "hate
    them" and that they are "boring" is treading a fine line with
    all those fans out there in Notesland..
    
    As I'm sure you are aware, this note was written with the intention
    of sparking positive discussion about the band.
    
    I kinda feel, intentionaly or not, you've knocked the stuffing 
    outta the subject.
    
    
    Gm.
     
        

    
    Re: -.2
    
    
    Oh well, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Even so, if we
    must have AOR/melodic rock, I'd rather listen to Magnum than any
    other band. Give them a chance and they really are pretty good,
    even though they have strayed a bit far into FM territory recently.
    
    Paul
    ----
    

        
     RE:>>             < Note 619.5 by AYOV18::TMCMANUS >
     RE:>>               -< The lion has awoken... >-
        
        Gm,
        
        >> Magnum work hard and have overcome many impossible hurdles in 
        >> their career that would sent many a band scuppering off to the 
        >> "Musicians Wanted" columns. 
        
        What real hardships have Magnum faced ? Compared to bands such as 
        Def Leppard (drummer loses an arm), Metallica (bass player killed 
        under a tour bus), Ozzy Osbourne (lead guitarist killed in plane 
        crash), to name a few ? What (and I quote) "impossible hurdles" 
        have this band have to overcome to get where they are (cough 
        cough) today ?? Anyway, hardships aren't justification for fame ! 
        You could be the worst musician in the world, but you could work 
        your fingers to the bone at getting your image right. Working 
        hard at something, doesn't make a god given right to be famous !
        
        Magnum *may* have worked, but there are thousands of other bands 
        out there who have worked MUCH harder and got sweet FA for it. 
        
        >> IMO , their music stands head and shoulders above many other 
        >> so-called melodic rock bands.
           
        Thats your opinion, as you said. You are 100% entitled to it - as 
        I am entitled to mine (my opinion wass expressed in my previous 
        note).
         
        >> I certainly wouldn't call them Foreigner clones, Magnum have a 
        >> beefier, more accomplished sound (check out Big Tone!!).
           
        Again, my opinion is that they are clones. *I* am entitled to it.
            
        >> I realise that you did not intend to flame, but to say you 
        >> "hate them" and that they are "boring" is treading a fine line 
        >> with all those fans out there in Notesland..
        
        You must have me confused with someone who gives a sh!t ! My 
        opinions are just that - MY OPINIONS. If you disagree, and say 
        that I shouldn't share my opinions with others in notesland than 
        thats a completely different matter; one that I am willing to 
        discuss offline - but, all the same, ITS MY HUMBLE OPINION !!
         
        >> As I'm sure you are aware, this note was written with the 
        >> intention of sparking positive discussion about the band.
        
        Check out the conference rules - I am sure it says something 
        about disagreement or criticism. Or is freedom of speech going to 
        be silenced ? 
         
        >> I kinda feel, intentionaly or not, you've knocked the stuffing
        >> outta the subject.
           
        My apologies. 
            
        -Tony

    re.8
              Bravo,bravo. Way to go Tony,you've told them off.I think
    you hurt their feelings,you probably made them cry. Oh well,such
    is life. I've never even heard of MAGNUM. If what you said is true
    "foreigner clones". Then I don't want to hear them..
    
        Doug..

	Reading intelligent reply like this (specially .9) makes me remember 
	to think twice before starting a new topic in this conference.


	Didier

RE:>>                  < Note 619.8 by CHEFS::DALLISON >
RE:>>                     -< Again, no flames here. >-

        
        Tony,

From your last note on this subject, you have clearly demonstrated 
your total disliking for this band. In fact you have imparted so
much negativity, that the second last reply to this topic sums it up.

Someone who clearly hasn't ever heard the band, will now probably
never give them a chance - based on your input...and there are 
probably a lot more people out there who now feel the same way about a band 
they have never even heard. 

Do you feel you have the right to create such a feeling about
*ANY* band ?


This conference, I thought, was about sharing the enjoyment, enthusiasm 
ALL of us have for rock music - be it Thrash, Speed , Death, Melodic, 
Glam,Sleaze,Bonk.....etc...etc..

>> You must have me confused with someone who gives a sh!t ! My 
>> opinions are just that - MY OPINIONS. If you disagree, and say 
>> that I shouldn't share my opinions with others in notesland than 
>> thats a completely different matter; one that I am willing to 
>> discuss offline - but, all the same, ITS MY HUMBLE OPINION !!
>> Check out the conference rules - I am sure it says something 
>> about disagreement or criticism. Or is freedom of speech going to 
>> be silenced ? 

Correct me if I'm wrong Mods, but opinions expressed which are
strongly intent on creating a negative/provocative attitude about a 
particular band are best left out. I mean we all have strong feelings
about certain bands, one way or another - but *I* strongly feel that   
derogatory remarks liking "hating" a band and classing them as "boring"
are best kept to yourself. 

Do you know much about Magnum's history ? Their first album came out
back around '78. 

I will attempt to answer some of your criticisms / points made..
        
        >> What real hardships have Magnum faced ? 

Back around '82, Magnum got the opportunity to tour the US as support
to Rush. Their record label around then was Jet. If I remember correctly,
Jet couldn't have given a Tinker's Cuss about the band. They had next to
no promotion. Their records dominated the "reduced to clear" shelves,
most of their touring was self-financed. It was during this period that
after years of the band's toil, Jet decided to drop them. 

Alright - I take your point - no deaths here, but certainly without a record
company for a band of this maturity in this cut-throat environment, 
is as good as curtains. It has been proved to be so for many good bands.

Take Phil Lynott (R.I.P.). After Lizzy's demise, he tried to make it
with Grand Slam, but try as they might - they couldn't get a deal.

The band decided to call it a day, and the Reading Festival was cited 
to be their swansong. It turned out to be the key to their future.

One "tour-de-force" of a gig later, the band decided it would be 
criminal injustice to their MANY fans not to keep going. Finally 
the were signed by FM/Revolver who did give the band sound back-up and 
through the quality of their material the progressed outta the rut and 
back into the mainstream of European rock, where they rightly sit to-day.

>> Anyway, hardships aren't justification for fame !
>> Working hard at something, doesn't make a god given right to be famous !
        
- I agree 100%. But in my book, it certainly counts.

>>  Magnum *may* have worked, but there are thousands of other bands 
>>  out there who have worked MUCH harder and got sweet FA for it. 
        
- Tony, I'm sure there are - it's a tough world - but I am only expressing
  an opinion about a band that I happen to like a great deal !!

I'd be interested in a couple of examples here as these guys *may* benefit
from some more publicity.           

>> Thats your opinion, as you said. You are 100% entitled to it - as 
>> I am entitled to mine (my opinion wass expressed in my previous 
   note).
   
Didn't I read somewhere in this conference that this kind of slagging
OFF, wasn't ON. I'm sure that this conference wasn't started to offend
and cause conflict - was it?

RE :-2.

I'm certainly not crying mate ! Chances are if you like melody in
your sphere of rock, you're the one (IMO) who should be crying, if
your not gonna give these guys a chance (if you ever got the opportunity
in the US anyway..). If you don't like this kinda music, then you
probably wouldn't want to give them a fair chance.  
      
>> Again, my opinion is that they are clones. *I* am entitled to it.
   
- You sure are - I accept your point.
         
>> My apologies. 
            
Apologies accepted - you will find my apologies for having contributed
to this slight "angst" in public in the Hatchet Burial note. 

YOURS IN ROCK

Gm.

    
    Has the shooting stopped yet?
    
    Well, mainly for the benefit of Didier, who actually seems interested
    in the band, I went through my brothers Magnum collection for a
    list of "official" releases - apparently Jet shoved a couple of
    "Best of..." things out when the band started getting airplay courtesy
    of FM/Revolver. The albums are:
    
    	Kingdom of Madness
    	Magnum II
    	Marauder ("the only live Magnum album worth having")
    	Chase the Dragon
    	Eleventh Hour
    	On a Storyteller's Night
    	Vigilante
    	Wings of Heaven
    
    There, that was painless, wasn't it. Tell Tony he can wake up now.
    
    Paul
    ----
    

    
    One day this note is going to get back to the point.
    
    re -.1
    
    Vigilante was released in 1987 on a major label.
    
    Paul
    ----

    Tony,
    
    this could go on I'm sure. The publicity Stateside that Magnum
    have probably gained through this little debate, is more than
    they've probably had in the last 5 years!!
    
    Yeah, we could talk , it may solve things/ it may not, but
    at least this whole scene may be avoidable in the future.
    
    I have one final nit pick. You said I was "wrong" about the
    bands' records being bargain basement fodder and quoted
    a price etc for the Vigilante album.
    
    This album was released in '87 not 84/85. after things started
    looking up . The price you quote is about right.
    
    I was talking about 82/83 when their fortunes were taking a dive.
                               
    Gm.    
                                      
    End Of " - End Of Story - "
       
    ps Anybody know what the band's currently up to ?

    Thanks for the info Tony.
    
    They will probably start treading the boards again around XMAS.
    
    Gm.

    Well I like Magnum, I've seen them 4 times now, the first being in
    1984.
    
    I think they are an excellent group, this is my opinion. Tony is
    entitled to his too. (But Tony keep you're replies shorter I hate
    wading through all that text :-)
    
    Brynn, replying from Emma's terminal, she'll introduce herself soon.

    
    At last....the Offical MAGNUM topic
    
    I've been away from this conference for a while, and was gonna
    start up a topic myself.....
    
    I've got most all the 'real' UK album releases and a couple of the
    spinoffs. As for sounding like Foreigner, methinks Mr. Dallison
    should listen to "Chase the Dragon" which made top 20 in '81
    
    The latest stuff is a bit different from the earlier. For a good
    introduction up to "Storytellers night" get the Castle Communciations
    double anthology. Best live album as noted before is "Marauder".
    
    Although Bob Catley hasn't the most original of rock voices, I think
    the emotion and honesty show through. They also play the smaller
    venues like the Hexagon, Reading, which many tours bypass. Living
    in the Blazingjoke area, the nearest is Hammersmith or Southampton.
    
    Magnum are a quintissentially British band pomp band and I look forward
    to the next tour/album

    /Speedking

    
    Methinks Mr. Speedking should slow down a bit and let Mr Dallison
    listen to what he wants.

    
    Whoah, Tony!    Now we don't want to get into THAT argument again......
    
    Last night I played Vigilante and Wings of Heaven and compared them
    with the only Foreigner album I've got - 4. The vocals are similar,
    but then I reckon Pete Goalby and Uriah Heep on the albums "Abominog"
    and "Head First" are also similar - indeed IMO I think Uriah Heep
    and Magnum sound more like each other than Foreigner. There's a
    space around the British sound which in the American version gets
    filled up with sweetening which gets difficult to digest after a
    while. The Clarkin melodies do tend to be more epic and there's
    several changes in lots of Magnum songs - not just
    verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-etc.....
    
    Yeah, Magnum do cross over into AOR territory, particularly on
    Vigilante, but I think this is an just an evolutionary phase.
    
    I did suggest you listen to "Chase the Dragon" because this defines
    the 'Magnum' sound and the later albums still carry this through.
    
    But if you really *hate* Magnum that much, I'm puzzled why you bought
    an album and why you're reading this topic anyway?
    
    /Speedking

    ps. Sorry to hear about Katch 22 (great monicker)

    WOW!! With all the action in this note I want to see what it is all
    about.
    
    Can I get a Magnum album in the states or is it U.K. only?
    
    Which is the ONE album that is considered best?
    
    SLAM 

    
    I will personally send you every single magnum lp in an attempt
    to rid the UK of them all  8^).
    
    No more Magnum comments from my corner - honest !

    Not sure..SLAM,
    
    Magnum's current label is I believe Polydor. I am unsure wether
    or not the deal they currently have is Worldwide ie outside Europe.
    
    I am not going to suggest a particular album cause I ain't heard
    them all ...yet, but certainly you could do a lot worse than pick
    up "On a Storyteller's Night". 
    
    Has anyone heard their recently released live album - Invasion,
    whcih was recorded during their '82 US tour.
    
    If so, is it any good?
    
    Again re -1 , it's good to see all this "frankness"  which has
    appeared in this note has stirred up some positive response from
    someone who hasn't yet heard the band.
    
    Hey, Tony you *might* just get yourself a PR job for these guys
    yet!! Ha :-)))))))
    
    Gm.

    
    Hehehehehe !!

    
 re .24  "Invasion" - got it the other week, still listening.....
         Let you know when I've formed a subjective opinion about it.
    
         You get an interview disk with the package - which will go
         in the bin. Sound quality seems a bit marginal, though.
    
    	 However, its the only 'official' live which contains the 	
    	 Chase the Dragon/Eleventh Hour/Storyteller's Night material.
    
    
 re .23  I presume you're keeping the double albums, Tony. :-) :-)
    
    /speedking 
        

    
    Magnum are working on a new album caled 'Born to be king', due out
    next year.
    
    Flip

    Can anybody help out a "Brit-abroad" ??!
    
    I've just found out via a general phone chat last night with a mate
    back home that Magnum have announced a UK Tour.
    
    Does anybody know the Scottish dates on that tour and/or can they
    tell me anything about when the new album's due for release ?!
    
    Ta
    
    Gm
    
    ps Tony, looks like yer gonna have to cancel the milk for a while
       eh ;-)

    
    
    Hee hee !!
    
    Magnum touring again ?
    
    Oh good, I must remember....
    
    ...to avoid them 8^)

    I don't know the the exact date by Magnum are playing the Playhouse
    sometime in May. Thats there only Scottish date this year although
    for the last 2 tours they also announced they were only going to
    do the playhouse and then they announced a extra date at the
    Barrowlands.
    
    cheers
    Mark

    Cheers Mark,
    
    I'll be back in good time for that one.
    
    Gm. (Keepin' his fingers crossed that history repeats itself a third
         time )
               

I've got 4th Row seats for them at Wembley, I'm well looking forward to it.

Brynn.

    I saw them on Tuesday 11th September at Manchester Apollo.
    Good show but disapointingly short. (only one encore).
    
    I'll be seeing them again on Sunday at Wembley Arena (i hope its a
    longer stint this time).
    
    If any of you are going, just wait till you see Tony Clarkins
    new haircut!!!!!
    
    Trish.

    Just seen them at Portsmouth (on the 28th), they really kicked a$$...
    
    I've seen then twice before, and wasc still impressed (though I don't
    like TC's Hair !!! - Looks like someone from Mammoth ;^) )
    The other thing I found weird, was that they only played 3 (I think) songs
    from the latest Album (not so bad, as I wasn't too keen on the latest)..
    
    				Andy.
    

    Saw them at Liverpool on Saturday 8th ..... a bit tame compared to the
    other few times I've seen them , but that was more the crowd than
    anything else . The lights were very good . They had someone come on
    dressed up as (something ...?) at the start of Jerusalem , just like
    Maiden had a 13 ft Eddie walk on in Somewhere On Tour ... not original
    , but still alright . Still get a big thumbs up from me .
    
    I was extremely impressed by the support , a band called ROKO from
    Germany . These guys are shit-hot (to be blunt) abd the crowd loved'em.
    They surprised me a hell of a lot , I've never even heard of them
    before .
    
    S.

    I saw them for the third and best time this year at good ole
    Hammersmith Odeon on December the 1st.  There is something about the
    atmosphere at that place that really gets the crowd going.
    
    They played more of the old stuff than at the previous concerts this
    year such as, Kingdom of Madness, The Spirit, Soldier of the Line.
    
    They also had the cloaked figure with the glitterball face for How Far
    Jerusalem which I thought was ace.  The last time I saw that was at the
    Vigilante tour in 1986 which to my mind is their best tour to date.
    
    Just as an aside I had not been too inthralled with the Goodnight L.A 
    album apart from one or two tracks but it is starting to grow on me a
    bit more now.
    
    Anyway, Hammersmith, Excellent stuff!!
    
    Trish