Magnum -

Magnum was an English hard-rock band from Birmingham that released four studio albums and a live disc on Jet Records between 1978 and 1983, followed by four further albums on Polydor between 1985 and 1990.

They forged a rare symphonic/metal hybrid on their first two albums, Kingdom of Madness and Magnum II, then scored a UK breakthrough with their 1982 third, Chase the Dragon. Their mix of epic songs and fantasy art defined their 1983–86 albums The Eleventh Hour!, On a Storyteller’s Night, and Vigilante, culminating with their popular 1988 release Wings of Heaven.

Members: Bob Catley (vocals), Tony Clarkin (guitar), Dave Morgan (bass, 1972-75), Kex Gorin (drums, 1972-83), Colin “Wally” Lowe (bass, 1975-95), Richard Bailey (keyboards, 1976-80), Mark Stanway (keyboards, 1980-83, 1985-2016), Eddie George (keyboards, 1984-85), Jim Simpson (drums, 1984-85), Mickey Barker (drums, 1985-95)

Background

Magnum formed in Birmingham in 1972 when singer Bob Catley and guitarist Tony Clarkin worked as the Rum Runner house band with bassist Bob Doyle and drummer Kex Gorin.

Clarkin was born Anthony Michael Clarkin on November 24, 1946, in Birmingham and grew up in Shard End. He left school for hairdresser training and joined his first band, The Boulevards.

Catley was born Robert Adrian Catley on September 11, 1947, in Aldershot, Hampshire. His family moved to Tile Cross, Birmingham, where Catley attended Central Grammar School for Boys. He left a GPO apprenticeship and fronted a sequence of local bands: The Smokestacks, Life, Clearwater, The Capitol Systems, and Paradox.

Bob Doyle left the first lineup for Wizzard, the ELO-spinoff led by Roy Wood. Dave Morgan, born David Raymond Morgan on August 19, 1942, in Bordesley, Birmingham, replaced Doyle after work with The Uglys and Balls. Les Kitcheridge joined on rhythm guitar during the first-year lineup. Richard Bailey joined in June 1973 on keyboards and flute. Bailey left for South Africa in 1974 and returned before the debut-album sessions.

Magnum cut the 1974 demo titles “Sea Bird,” “Slipping Away,” “Stormbringer,” and “Captain America” at Nest Studios in Birmingham. Producer Roger Greenaway arranged a one-off CBS single deal. Magnum released the Searchers cover “Sweets for My Sweet” with the Clarkin title “Movin’ On” as a February 1975 CBS single. Dave Morgan sang lead on “Sweets for My Sweet” and left the band after the single. Colin “Wally” Lowe replaced Morgan on bass and vocals.

Magnum used a 1976 Railway Inn residency on Curzon Street in Birmingham to test songs by Clarkin. Their Nest demos reached Jet Records, which ushered Magnum to London for a full album. Jet withheld the finished project, then prepared the album for release with singer Bob Catley, guitarist Tony Clarkin, bassist Colin “Wally” Lowe, keyboardist/flautist Richard Bailey, and drummer Kex Gorin.

Kingdom of Madness

released their debut album, Kingdom of Madness, in August 1978 on Jet.

Kingdom of Madness contains nine tracks by exclusive songwriter Tony Clarkin, whose riff run tight under the high-register tone of Bob Catley amid Richard Bailey’s keyboard-flut runs and the Lowe–Gorin rhythm section.

“In the Beginning” vaults from twin-line opening figures and acoustic rhythm into a driving first half, then eases back to the acoustic side for its calmer return. “Universe” glides through backward effects, soft keys, harmony voices, and a short acoustic/flute link into the title piece. “Kingdom of Madness” lurches from picked Spanish-tinged figures into staccato heaviness, then locks onto falsetto lift and firm riffing.

“Invasion” gallops behind a multi-tracked riff, a fast keyboard line, and falsetto replies. “Lords of Chaos” shuffles through clipped rhythm figures and brief backing-vocal replies. “All Come Together” swells from piano and Mellotron shading into falsetto voices, synth bursts, and tight guitar/electric-piano interplay.

A1. “In the Beginning” (7:52)
A2. “Baby Rock Me” (4:05)
A3. “Universe” (3:45)
A4. “Kingdom of Madness” (4:25)

B1. “All That Is Real” (3:48)
B2. “The Bringer” (3:58)
B3. “Invasion” (3:22)
B4. “Lords of Chaos” (3:21)
B5. “All Come Together” (4:52)

Magnum recorded Kingdom of Madness between 1975 and 1976 at De Lane Lea Studios in London. Jake Commander produced the album. Dick Plant, Barry Kidd, and Dave Strickland engineered the sessions. Kevin Metcalf mastered the album at De Lane Lea Studios.

Ria Lewerke art-directed and designed the original UK sleeve, which features a shaded stained-glass iris illustration by artist Stuart Daniels.

Jet lifted “Kingdom of Madness” as a July 1978 single (b/w “In the Beginning”). “Universe” became a September 1978 single (b/w “Invasion”). Kingdom of Madness reached No. 58 on the UK Albums Chart.

Magnum II

Magnum released their second studio album, Magnum II, in October 1979 on Jet.

The album uses the same five-piece lineup. Most titles run in shorter forms, with “Reborn” and “All of My Life” as the longer side-end pieces.

“Great Adventure” surges from synthetic scene-setting and staccato riffing into abrupt rhythm shifts, bell accents, acoustic/electric turns, and high theatrical vocals. “The Battle” darts through a brief keyboard figure, chunky chord strikes, multi-tracked narrative vocals, and a squelchy solo break. “If I Could Live Forever” swells from choir-like synth and piano flourishes into a two-tiered vocal rise, then tightens around harder riffing and twin-lead figures.

“Reborn” bounds from strident piano drive into a pulled-back acoustic passage, then returns through busy solo turns. “So Cold the Night” hammers martial hits, a doomy main figure, jaunty counterturns, stylized vocal poise, and multi-part harmonies. “Firebird” starts on unaccompanied voice and odd interjections, then pivots through a smeared main figure, archaic middle passage, and high-gloss solo color. “All of My Life” grows from low-end pump and jaunty chord motion, then accelerates toward a harder second half and a larger close.

A1. “Great Adventure” (4:54)
A2. “Changes” (3:15)
A3. “The Battle” (2:10)
A4. “If I Could Live Forever” (4:02)
A5. “Reborn” (5:45)

B1. “So Cold the Night” (4:04)
B2. “Foolish Heart” (3:13)
B3. “Stayin’ Alive” (3:22)
B4. “Firebird” (4:47)
B5. “All of My Life” (4:43)

Magnum recorded Magnum II between 1978 and 1979 at Music Centre Studios in Wembley. Leo Lyons produced the album. Rafe McKenna engineered the sessions. Paul Hume assisted McKenna. Nic Webb mastered the album at Abbey Road Studios. Jet issued the original LP in a silver sleeve.

Jet lifted “Changes” as a September 1979 single (b/w “Lonesome Star”). “Foolish Heart” became a November 1979 single (b/w “Baby Rock Me”).

Chase the Dragon

Magnum released their third studio album, Chase the Dragon, in February 1982 on Jet.

Keyboardist Mark Stanway replaces Bailey on Chase the Dragon. The album contains eight titles, including the epic side-closers “Sacred Hour” and “The Lights Burned Out.”

“Soldier of the Line” charges from battle-clatter and hard chord crashes into a delayed vocal-reply section, then tightens for a doubled-time close. “On the Edge of the World” motors through a brisk number with double-tracked turns and reedy fills. “The Spirit” rises from acoustic strum into full ensemble entry, narrows to harpsichord arpeggios, then breaks into riffing. “Sacred Hour” unfolds from a piano theme into a second answering line, choppy accents, pitch-bent solo tension, and sustained vocal lift.

“Walking the Straight Line” struts on a sparse riff, low-end punctuation, gruff vocal pickup, and a short break that opens the center. “We All Play the Game” softens into 12-string brightness, reedy synth line, Spanish-tinged bridge phrases, and fuller final verses. “The Teacher” hurries through clipped chord figures and staccato fills, drops into a brief slower interlude, then kicks back into a driving pace. “The Lights Burned Out” starts on voice and piano, admits the band at the first chorus, pulls back again, then rises through restrained soloing and a stronger final lift.

A1. “Soldier of the Line” (4:15)
A2. “On the Edge of the World” (4:21)
A3. “The Spirit” (4:16)
A4. “Sacred Hour” (5:28)

B1. “Walking the Straight Line” (2:54)
B2. “We All Play the Game” (4:02)
B3. “The Teacher” (4:22)
B4. “The Lights Burned Out” (4:27)

Magnum recorded Chase the Dragon in 1980 at Town House Studios in London. Jeff Glixman produced and engineered the album. Steve Prestage assisted Glixman. Tony Clarkin mixed the album at Axis Sound Studios in Atlanta the following year.

Chase the Dragon features cover art by Rodney Matthews, whose image shows two dragons in a desert foreground with a distant city. Jet issued the original LP in a standard sleeve after Matthews had prepared paired images for a gatefold.

Jet lifted “The Lights Burned Out” as a February 26, 1982 single (b/w “Long Days Black Nights”). In September 1982, Jet issued the Live in America double pack with “Back to Earth” and “Hold Back Your Love” plus live versions of “Soldier of the Line” and “Sacred Hour.”

Chase the Dragon reached No. 17 on the UK Albums Chart.

The Eleventh Hour!

Magnum released their fourth studio album, The Eleventh Hour!, in May 1983 on Jet.

Eleventh Hour! retains the Stanway lineup on a ten-title program with shorter tracks across side one and “The Word” among the longer side-two titles.

“The Prize” lifts from an acoustic folk-tinged intro and a drum break into broad dramatic drive. “The Great Disaster” races through harmonized entry lines, brisk riff changes, urgent forward motion, and an acoustic/drum-solo break. “So Far Away” rides steady riffing into a middle layered-vocal break. “Hit and Run” punches through a direct four-to-the-floor drive. “One Night of Passion” turns on Stanway’s chord changes and an anguished mid-song vocal break. “The Word” rests on piano support and a restrained vocal line.

A1. “The Prize” (3:40)
A2. “Breakdown” (4:00)
A3. “The Great Disaster” (3:50)
A4. “Vicious Companions” (3:30)
A5. “So Far Away” (4:35)

B1. “Hit and Run” (3:40)
B2. “One Night of Passion” (3:45)
B3. “The Word” (4:55)
B4. “Young and Precious Souls” (4:05)
B5. “Road to Paradise” (3:30)

Magnum recorded The Eleventh Hour! in 1983 at Portland Studios in London. Tony Clarkin produced the album with Bob Catley assisting. Dave Garland engineered the sessions. Magnum mixed the album at Odyssey Studios in London.

The Eleventh Hour! features cover art by Rodney Matthews, whose image shows a seated figure, children, an industrial wasteland, aircraft, and missile silos.

The Eleventh Hour! reached No. 38 on the UK Albums Chart.

On a Storyteller’s Night

Magnum released their fifth studio album, On a Storyteller’s Night, in May 1985 on FM.

The album features new drummer Jim Simpson and welcomes backing vocalist Mo Birch on “Les Morts Dansants.”

“How Far Jerusalem” rises from low-toned atmosphere, fanfare, and reverse-echoed vocal entry into chopping chord strikes, then drops through synth swirls and a short solo passage before the final hits. “Just Like An Arrow” sprints through a compact single form, bright keyboard line, and late solo. “On a Storyteller’s Night” murmurs over electric piano and eerie keys, opens briefly at the chorus, then carries a lead line through the closing instrumental stretch.

“Before First Light” drives its paired riff through ticking accents, brief soloing, and a headlong final lift. “Les Morts Dansants” builds from sparse chord repetition and restrained lead vocal into a late belt, backing-vocal surge, and louder closing refrain. “Endless Love” rides a pedaled low note and riff figure, then breaks into sequencer chatter and a short instrumental turn. “Two Hearts” starts with a smooth acoustic intro, snaps into an urgent damped riff, delays its chorus, and stretches toward an extended solo.

“Steal Your Heart” chugs under a fanfare, breaks to a double-tracked flourish, then drops into descending middle-eight chords before the last verse. “All England’s Eyes” belts in on sustained notes and sequenced motion, then strips the chorus to near-unaccompanied group voices before a militaristic closing line. “The Last Dance” rests on piano and lead vocal, then adds multi-part harmonies and second-verse keyboard layers.

A1. “How Far Jerusalem” (6:25)
A2. “Just Like an Arrow” (3:22)
A3. “On a Storyteller’s Night” (4:59)
A4. “Before First Light” (3:52)
A5. “Les Morts Dansants” [The Dancing Dead] (5:47)

B1. “Endless Love” (4:30)
B2. “Two Hearts” (4:25)
B3. “Steal Your Heart” (3:59)
B4. “All England’s Eyes” (4:47)
B5. “The Last Dance” (3:39)

Magnum recorded On a Storyteller’s Night in 1985 at Abattoir Studios in Birmingham. Kit Woolven produced and engineered the album. Abbey Road Studios mastered the album by direct metal mastering.

Rodney Matthews designed the cover art, whose image shows a tavern interior with a storyteller and seated listeners.

FM lifted an alternate take of “Just Like an Arrow” as a March 1985 single (b/w an alternate take of “Two Hearts”), which reached No. 83 on the UK Singles Chart. “On a Storyteller’s Night” became a May 1985 single (b/w “Before First Light”).

On a Storyteller’s Night reached No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Vigilante

Magnum released their sixth studio album, Vigilante, in September 1986 on Polydor.

Drummer Mickey Barker replaces Simpson on Vigilante. Saxophonist Daniel Bourquin appears on “Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping),” and Queen drummer Roger Taylor adds backing vocals to “Sometime Love” and “When the World Comes Down.”

“Lonely Night” opens on xylophone and settles into a smoother vocal setting. “Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping)” starts with kick hits, picked figures, and voice, then admits an intermittent bass figure and saxophone solo. “When The World Comes Down” rests on tender keyboard lines and programmed-flute color. “Vigilante” accelerates around Clarkin’s central guitar part and the album’s busiest rhythmic drive. “Back Street Kid” rides a bass line singled out across the review material.

A1. “Lonely Night” (3:48)
A2. “Need a Lot of Love” (4:46)
A3. “Sometime Love” (4:20)
A4. “Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping)” (4:01)
A5. “Red on the Highway” (4:14)

B1. “Holy Rider” (5:17)
B2. “When the World Comes Down” (5:20)
B3. “Vigilante” (6:40)
B4. “Back Street Kid” (5:01)

Magnum recorded Vigilante in 1986 at Mountain Studios in Montreux. Roger Taylor and David Richards produced the album.

Chris Moore illustrated the cover image, which shows a white unicorn before a black rock, curved temple structure, lake, mountains, and night sky.

Polydor lifted “Lonely Night” as a July 1986 single (b/w “Les Mort Dansant” live), which reached No. 70 on the UK Singles Chart. “Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping)” became an October 1986 single (b/w “Back Street Kid”) and reached No. 91. “When the World Comes Down” followed as a February 1987 single (b/w “Vigilante”) and reached No. 96.

Vigilante reached No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Wings of Heaven

Magnum released their seventh studio album, Wings of Heaven, in March 1988 on Polydor.

Wings retains the Vigilante lineup, augmented on select tracks by by backing singer Max Werner (“Different Worlds”) and the London Gospel Choir (“It Must Have Been Love”).

“Days Of No Trust” opens with a steady ascent and broad vocal lift. “Wild Swan” drives from harder chord strikes and a thudding low-end line into a middle instrumental passage. “Start Talking Love” locks onto an immediate chorus and compact single shape. “It Must Have Been Love” centers its slower form on gospel-backed vocal lift and a pronounced low-end line.

“Different Worlds” opens on a lead figure and settles under keyboard lead with firm chord support. “Pray For the Day” strikes hard, pulls back, then lifts its chorus over a prominent bass line. “Don’t Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)” starts in solemn ballad form, builds through alternating vocal and instrumental passages, and shifts into the faster “Too Old to Die Young” section. A final transition returns to the opening part.

A1. “Days of No Trust” (5:23)
A2. “Wild Swan” (6:15)
A3. “Start Talking Love” (3:36)
A4. “One Step Away” (4:39)
A5. “It Must Have Been Love” (5:16)

B1. “Different Worlds” (4:39)
B2. “Pray for the Day” (3:45)
B3. “Don’t Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)” (10:34)

Magnum recorded Wings of Heaven between 1987 and 1988 at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum. Albert Boekholt and Magnum produced the album. Magnum mixed the album at Sarm West Studios in London in January 1988. Attie Bauw programmed the album’s Fairlight tracks. Mekon created the sleeve artwork with photography by Paul Cox.

Polydor lifted “Days of No Trust” as a March 1988 single (b/w “Maybe Tonight”), which reached No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart. “Start Talking Love” became a May 1988 single (b/w “C’est La Vie”) and reached No. 22. “It Must Have Been Love” followed as a June 1988 single (b/w “Crying Time”) and reached No. 33.

Wings of Heaven reached No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Discography: