•
Rating:
While waiting for Shooting Star (by the way, does the American Pomp Rock group that authored the splendid "Summer Sun" have anything to do with this?) to publish their review of "Kingdom Of Madness", and encouraged by the warm reception that Magnum has received here on DeBaser, I thought of bringing to your attention what I believe is (even more than the much more known "On A Storyteller's Night") their creative peak, both in terms of the quality of the compositions and the perfect synthesis of the styles proposed in it.
Hard Rock, Pomp/Prog, and a dash of AOR are the main ingredients of this "Chase The Dragon" which, released in 1982, marked the entrance of keyboardist Mark Stanway, a competent and tasteful musician (still present in the line-up today), here authoring an excellent performance both in rare solo moments and in creating those grandiose atmospheres so dear to the Birmingham group.
The first work (relative to the group) to boast a beautiful fantasy cover by the famous (?) Rodney Matthews and to feature the logo with the "M" shaped like a sword, the album is also remembered for containing some of the hardest moments in their discography. This characteristic is already evident in the opener "Soldier Of The Line", a piece of epic Heavy Rock led by the confident voice of Bob Catley, now evocative, now unexpectedly sharp. Also decidedly heavy is "The Teacher", a forgotten gem where the Rock n' Roll rhythm cannot restrain the natural symphonic inclination of our group. Notable too is the long solo by Tony Clarkin, where Blackmore influences emerge in the use of "staccato" and the lever. Progressive rock enthusiasts will instead be enchanted by the magical keyboard notes that introduce "Sacred Hour", a track full of pathos and a true moment of glory for the aforementioned Stanway during concerts, or by the moog phrases in the poetic "We All Play The Game", with a rhythm of acoustic guitar as simple as it is beautiful and a touching interpretation by Catley. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the piece that alone can well represent the entire work of Magnum, as well as the first piece that would come to mind if someone asked me to play something from this group: I am talking about "The Spirit", a true masterpiece of pompous Hard Rock introduced by a wonderful medieval folk part with a Catley deserving applause, before Clarkin's power chords bring us back to harder territories, but with the melody always at the forefront. A track that might appeal to fans of AOR as well as followers of more classic metal.
The recent (well, from '99...) CD reissue also includes bonus tracks such as the single "Back To Earth/Hold Back Your Love", two live versions, and the pleasant unreleased "Long Days Black Nights". And now it's your turn!
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Soldier of the Line (04:17)
Soldier of the line, how does it feel?
You're far away from home, polishing steel
The sun moves in between the mountain and sky
As dawn puts out its fingers, splitting them wide
Soldier of the line, what do you know?
About the other side, they never show
They must be well disguised, biding their time
Their armour well prepared so nothing will shine
Solider of the line, would you kill me?
There's something in your eyes stopping you see
They're cloudy and you turn your head away
What's that rolling down your face, are you okay?
Hold back those tears from your eyes
Don't show those feelings inside
You're in a murderous playground
War games on a castle wall
You're in a murderous playground
Crossed out if you dare to fall
Soldier of the line, it isn't fair
You're bleeding deep inside, nobody cares
Your flag and lance stand proud, splintered and red
No movement in the fields, the crows will be fed
Soldier of the line, you've come to the end
You'll never get to see your mother again
Some unfamiliar place you're going to stay
An unremembered name, an unforgettable day
You're in a murderous playground
War games on a castle wall
You're in a murderous playground
Crossed out if you dare to fall
03 The Spirit (04:18)
Don't place your trust in foolish promises sworn
Nor cryptic message scrawled upon every wall
Street corner justice beware
The spirit will find you always be fair
The shallow verse once read means nothing at all
Nor fearful gestures made for instant recall
In lies your heart will not share
The spirit inside you is used without care
To the spirit that guides you, follow it through
To the spirit inside you, always be true
You know you'll despair
If the spirit inside you is used without care
The battlefield of glory pales into rust
The river flows much thicker, fed by each thrust
No beast alive does compare
The spirit besides you everywhere
Let not your head be turned by tainted reward
And dreams of fortune won, forever to hoard
Your conscience could not repair
The spirit inside you is used without care
'Cause it will be your shelter
Help you how to decide
And it will be your helper
Should your loyalties divide
The spirit that guides you, follow it through
To the spirit inside you, always be true
You know you'll despair
If the spirit inside you is used without care
The ash of pages swept before the cruel wind
The loss of choices praises no one will sing
No clues to how you will fare
The spirit implores you tread where you dare
The dust lies thick on casket, rich or quite poor
Distinction disappears, the worm both deplore
The candle burns out once more
For the spirit inside you won't be ignored
The spirit that guides you, follow it through
To the spirit inside you, always be true
You know you'll despair
If the spirit inside you is used without care
04 Sacred Hour (05:32)
All of my dreams that fell through and had tasted so sour
Take second place in my mind for this one sacred hour
Still I’ve been moved for so long by this strange fascination
Here, as I stand all alone in complete concentration
Face through the clouds and the gods shine with awe splendour
Rise up and roar, they approve, will they always remember?
I hear the voice of the crowd, it will last forever
Locked in my heart, kept away like a stolen treasure
I can hear them calling
Hear the crowd applauding
If it's real, I like the feeling
If I’m wrong, who am I deceiving?
Night after night it repeats an exciting romance
Shared by us all, though we met by a fleeting half chance
Caught trapped in time, no escape from this powerful dream world
Pleased, though I am to be here, I am lost in the real world
I can hear them calling
Hear the crowd applauding
If it's real, I like the feeling
If I’m wrong, who am I deceiving?
All of my dreams that fell through and had tasted so sour
Take second place in my mind for this one sacred hour
Still I’ve been moved for so long by this strange fascination
Here, as I stand all alone in complete concentration
I can hear them calling
Hear the crowd applauding
If it's real, I like the feeling
If I’m wrong, who am I deceiving?
In this one sacred hour
06 We All Play the Game (04:08)
Now you've found yourself can you tell me how you feel
Oh you look so well everything seems new and real
Can you rise above all the worldly cares you had
All the foolish thoughts have they really left your head
Yes I'd like to see if you really know for sure
Are you still conviced what you had was less before
Will it last for long you're obsessed by new ideas
There's a change in you but you change most every year
Can you stand there and tell me now
It's not only a dream it's better
It's a part you could play for ever
We all play the game
We all play the game
And 'though we think again still it will be the same
We play the game this foolish game
The search goes on never ending thirst unquenched
What you're looking for someone yet has to invent
Does it please you well did you have to look so hard
And you travel far 'though the answer's in your heart
07 The Teacher (03:21)
I bring you peace and understanding
I give you freedom from your cares
I bring the truth with no illusion
To give you hope when you despair
I have the secret of the whirlwind
I keep the eagle close at hand
This kingdom tall as any mountain
Will reap the treasure from the land
I am the teacher
I am the teacher
I am the teacher
More than you'll ever know
Everything I can show
I have the answers to all questions
Above us here and far below
No voices will be raised in anger
No cruel ambitions will you show
08 The Lights Burned Out (04:27)
The lights burned out, and with it it's taken my eyes
It seems so hard it's taken me by surprise
And oh baby all that you said must be lies
I cease to feel the wind and the rain on my face
Sometimes I'm sure but then I'm confused in my haste
And oh baby I'm standing but taking no space
But I don't cry easy no I don't cry at all
Oh but you don't believe me and I think that's my only downfall
What am I going to do about you baby
What am I going to do without you now
You had my love wild as an ocean could call
I was the fool and you were the winner take all
And oh baby it's so much to me yet so small
Loading comments slowly
