Magnum – Live at the Symphony Hall

8/10

I have been a little sceptical to Magnums later years. Although I absolutely adore the bands old classics of the 70’s and 80’s, the newer material has had a hard time impressing on me. Also as a live act I have found them to be a little bit stiff and dull. But seeing how they are an eternal favourite band, I have always given them the chance to impress me with their new albums and live concerts. And so this time also.

With all this in mind, a new live album which mostly consists of new material doesn’t sound like the most exhilirating concept in the world. Still, I really like that it concentrates on new material instead of beeing like just another greatest hits-collection. These songs also feels like they have been chosen for their certain mood rather than their hit quality. “Live at the Symphony Hall” is a collection of mellow and melancholy Magnum-tracks, and they never break the spell by throwing in an uplifting crowd-pleaser like “Just Like an Arrow” or “Days of No Trust”. They go straight down the line with their concept and in the end wins me over completely!

In other words; this is good. Really good! Starting of with their best track of their entire 2000’s-catalogue, the saddening “When We Were Younger”, the album immediately sets the mood, and moves on through songs from latest release “Lost on the Road to Eternity” and other recent songs. Among the highlights are Tobias Sammet guesting “Lost on the Road to Eternity”, the vitamin injection to “Crazy Old Mothers” from the weaker “Sacred Blood ‘Divine’ Lies”-album and future live favourite “Show Me Your Hands”. Not until the eigth track is the bag of classics opened with “How Far Jerusalem”, but then it also ties in beautiful with the mood of the concert, which also stays on throughout the entire show and also the rest of the old masterpieces such as “Les Morts Dansant” and “Don’t Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)”.

When it’s all over I realize that I have underestimated Magnums later years. The magic is still there, and they can create both a great atmosphere live and write really great songs. “Live at the Symphony Hall” has made me go back and listen to the bands later catalogue and rediscover how many good songs are lying there. No wonder they want to dedicate their concerts to this material! Over all, this is a really good live-album that no one should miss. And don’t forget to check out latest album “Lost on the Road to Eternity” (2018) too, if you should have missed it!

Band: Magnum
Title: Live at the Symphony Hall
Label: Steamhammer
Date of release: 18/1-19
Time: 97,47
Rate: 8/10
Stand out tracks: Lost on the Road to Eternity