GRAND MAGUS – “THE HUNT”
NUCLEAR BLAST (2012)
Since their inception back in 1996, Swedish Heavy Metal trio Grand Magus have experienced quite a few label changes in their quest to achieve maximum value in the Metal market. Though their career trajectory has carried on upwards, many people (I include myself), believe that it was when under the protective wings of Rise Above Records that the Stockholm-based outfit released its finest work. That was, at least, the case before their latest offering, “The Hunt” – a nine track release that will hopefully prove to the rest of you that many more good things ought to be expected from Janne “JB” Christoffersson (guitars/vocals) and the crew.
When compared to albums like “Iron Will” (2008) and “Hammer Of The North” (2010), “The Hunt” does not only sound more varied but also more focused, featuring nine simply-crafted and catchy/memorable compositions with great amounts of passion and energy. Classic sounding Heavy Metal music is not supposed to be at all complicated – it’s all about the riff and the hook and there isn’t a simple composition on this fine album that lacks either or both of them. Is it 80s Heavy Metal in the vein of Dio and Judas Priest, epic tunes of Rainbow influence or melodic Hard Rock of the same era that normally floats your boat? The answer to that question is not important as this album has it all and in great abundance!
A WASP- like harmony introduces the opening track “Starlight Slaughter” and is followed by a massive Dio riff “Sacred Heart” era – an amazing combination that provides a great start for this album. “Sword Of The Ocean” is a solid 80s Heavy Metal tune that keeps the momentum going while the head banging tunes of “Valhalla Rising” are simply irresistible. “Storm King” has a certain Motley Crue feel to it, but it is the Dio-influenced Epic “Silver Moon” with its amazing riff and stupendously catchy chorus/refrain that truly steals the show. Simple, commanding and reliable, the same-titled “The Hunt” adheres to all the rules of classic Heavy Metal while the medieval-influenced acoustic tunes of “Son Of The Last Breath” adds both atmosphere and finesse to the album. The last two compositions on offer are amongst the album’s highlights, with “Iron Hand” being a short Hard Rocker full of power and attitude, while “Draksadd” is more groovy and epic-sounding in comparison, allowing Janne “JB” Christoffersson to demonstrate his great vocal and guitar skills in equal measures.
So far in their career, Grand Magus have released six studio albums and, even though I cannot say that there is a single one amongst them that I do not like, I simply do not believe that they have all been products of an inspired and passionate creative process. If you have felt the same thing in recent years do not despair as “The Hunt” is the album that can re-introduce us to this impressive trio and can re-ignite the flame between this band and its original fans. Who said that classic Heavy Metal is not relevant in the year 2012?
John Stefanis
Rating: ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)
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