It’s been three years since Magnum introduced out The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads, a compilation that targeted on the British rock act’s quiet, extra otherworldly and dreamy aspect. Three years throughout which the thought matured to comply with this profitable launch (high 100 of the German album charts) with a companion piece. Dance Of The Black Tattoo has was precisely that: a group of songs that current Magnum completely as tough-as-nails rocking and very vibrant musicians. What makes this album so particular is the truth that Magnum have gone by means of their spectacular archive, on the lookout for uncommon stay cuts and excellent radio variations and have give you spirited stay recordings and edits that think about the important parts of a few of their most completed rock numbers. Naturally, guitarist and band mastermind Tony Clarkin has used this chance to remaster and replace all 14 tracks in order that they adjust to the state-of-the-art of (sound) expertise.
Says Clarkin: “There have all the time been two elements to Magnum: a barely extra tender and lyrical aspect, however at first after all our highly effective, rocking aspect. And that’s the aspect that Dance Of The Black Tattoo paperwork impressively.”
The album kicks off with stay variations of “Black Skies” and “Freedom Day”, beforehand accessible completely as DVD bonus tracks on Escape From The Shadow Backyard. “The right launch of this compilation as a result of they current Magnum musically and lyrically from our acquainted uncooked aspect. The following ‘All My Bridges’ is a little bit totally different in that the music continues to be heavy, however the lyrics are extra poetic,” explains Clarkin, whose dynamic guitar type has harmonized completely with Magnum vocalist Bob Catley’s heat and charismatic voice for nearly fifty (!) years.
“On A Storyteller’s Evening”, the title monitor of their 1985 masterpiece, and “Dance Of The Black Tattoo” are one other two uncommon stay tracks from the bonus part of Escape From The Shadow Backyard, adopted by radio edits of their seasonal anti-war quantity “On Christmas Day” and the fan favorite “Born To Be King” off their traditional Goodnight L.A., beforehand solely accessible on vinyl or for digital obtain, adopted by “Phantom Of Paradise Circus” and “No God Or Saviour”, each bonus tracks from Sacred Blood – Divine Lies.
Clarkin: “To be sincere, once I began going by means of these previous masters, I didn’t even have ‘Phantom Of Paradise Circus’ on my radar. I normally begin engaged on new materials about 4 weeks after the discharge of an album, so often a track might sink into oblivion though it has numerous substance and sophistication. Equivalent to ‘Phantom Of Paradise Circus’. I actually love that quantity and am joyful that it’s getting the eye it deserves finally.”
“Your Goals Received’t Die” and “Twelve Males Sensible And Simply” are two stay bonus tracks which first featured on Misplaced On The Highway To Eternity, earlier than “Present Me Your Palms”, “Not Forgiven” and “Madman Or Messiah” – three beforehand unreleased radio edits from the nonetheless topical studio recordings Misplaced On The Highway To Eternity (2018) and The Serpent Rings (2020) – spherical off the brand new launch.
“Generally it’s not straightforward to shorten a fastidiously balanced composition for the radio, however in these three circumstances it labored very well,” reckons Clarkin.
Speaking of working nicely: Naturally the art work of Dance Of The Black Tattoo was designed by Magnum‘s tried-and-tested cowl artist Rodney Matthews, who all the time succeeds in translating the particular atmosphere of the British rock group’s albums into atmospheric photographs and colors.
Clarkin: “This time it was straightforward actually: I referred to as Rodney, informed him the album title and he despatched me this positively fascinating art work. I wager our followers will love his little masterpiece.”
Having mentioned that, Clarkin is bound to win this type of wager for the entire of Dance Of The Black Tattoo.
Dance Of The Black Tattoo will probably be launched January 8 through Steamhammer/SPV as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold model, particular CD/LP bundle with shirt (solely on the Steamhammer store), obtain and stream. Hyperlinks under:
– General pre-order
– Steamhammer exclusive bundle with shirt
– Digital
Tracklisting:
“Black Skies” (stay)
“Freedom Day” (stay)
“All My Bridges” (stay)
“On A Storyteller’s Evening” (stay)
“Dance Of The Black Tattoo” (stay)
“On Christmas Day” (radio edit)
“Born To Be King”
“Phantom Of Paradise Circus”
“No God Or Saviour”
“Your Goals Will not Die” (stay)
“Twelve Males Sensible And Simply” (stay)
“Present Me Your Palms” (radio edit)
“Not Forgiven” (radio edit)
“Madman or Messiah” (radio edit)
(Picture – Rob Barrow Pictures)
