GRAND MAGUS

Eleven years since their eponymous debut album, Grand Magus are back with their sixth offering; ‘The Hunt’. Things seem to have changed a lot since their debut, as there seem to be fewer stoner and doom influences but what is left is a magnificent hunk of pretty timeless “classic” rock. From the outset, namely ‘Starlight Slaughter’, the album does somewhat air on the side of cheese, which is by no means a problem, with its anthemic chorus and accessible riffs. Let’s face it, there’s nothing overly ambitious in it but music can get too bogged down in technicalities anyway. In a weird way, it sounds like power metal without all the farting around. The whole album is thoroughly listenable, whether you fancy just putting it on in the background or sitting down and really listening to it. As expected, it’s musically sound and JB’s vocals are, well, not imperfect but he makes it work and we expect nothing less from him. An honourable mention should also go to the oft-forgotten SEB for some very nice drum work. And in the interests of being politically correct, Fox is good too. Not going to lie, ‘The Hunt’ didn’t exactly blow my mind as one of the greatest albums of all time but it didn’t have to. It’s a solid album, there’s nothing aurally offensive and that’s all I ask really. There’s also a feeling that over the upcoming weeks and months the album will only get better but obviously that’s a question for future-me.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Nuclear Blast

Album

THE HUNT

Review by Siân Williams

RUNNING TIME:

44:33

RELEASE DATE:

25th May 2012

TRACK LISTING

1) Starlight Slaughter
2) Sword of the Ocean
3) Valhalla Rising
4) Storm King
5) Silver Moon
6) The Hunt
7) Son of the Last Breath
8) Iron Hand
9) Draksådd

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Sweden

"...a magnificent hunk of pretty timeless “classic” rock."