MAGNUM RELEASES SPECIAL ALBUM IN JANUARY 2021 – New tour dates for autumn 2021
23rd October 2020Itâs been three years since Magnum brought out The Valley Of Tears â The Ballads, a compilation that focused on the British rock actâs quiet, more otherworldly and dreamy side. Three years during which the idea matured to follow this successful release (top 100 of the German album charts) with a companion piece. Dance Of The Black Tattoo has turned into exactly that: a collection of songs that present Magnum exclusively as tough-as-nails rocking and extremely vibrant musicians. What makes this album so special is the fact that Magnum have gone through their impressive archive, looking for rare live cuts and outstanding radio versions and have come up with spirited live recordings and edits that concentrate on the essential components of some of their most accomplished rock numbers. Naturally, guitarist and band mastermind Tony Clarkin has used this opportunity to remaster and update all 14 tracks so that they comply with the state-of-the-art of (sound) technology. Says Clarkin: âThere have always been two aspects to Magnum: a slightly more tender and lyrical facet, but first and foremost of course our powerful, rocking side. And thatâs the element that Dance Of The Black Tattoo documents impressively.â
The album kicks off with live versions of âBlack Skiesâ and âFreedom Dayâ, previously available exclusively as DVD bonus tracks on Escape From The Shadow Garden. âThe perfect launch of this compilation because they present Magnum musically and lyrically from our familiar raw side. The subsequent âAll My Bridgesâ is a little different in that the music is still heavy, but the lyrics are more poetic,â explains Clarkin, whose dynamic guitar style has harmonized perfectly with Magnum vocalist Bob Catleyâs warm and charismatic voice for almost fifty (!) years.
âOn A Storytellerâs Nightâ, the title track of their 1985 masterpiece, and âDance Of The Black Tattooâ are another two rare live tracks from the bonus section of Escape From The Shadow Garden, followed by radio edits of their seasonal anti-war number âOn Christmas Dayâ and the fan favourite âBorn To Be Kingâ off their classic Goodnight L.A., previously only available on vinyl or for digital download, followed by âPhantom Of Paradise Circusâ and âNo God Or Saviourâ, both bonus tracks from Sacred Blood â Divine Lies. Clarkin: âTo be honest, when I started going through those old masters, I didnât even have âPhantom Of Paradise Circusâ on my radar. I usually start working on new material about four weeks after the release of an album, so occasionally a song may sink into oblivion although it has a lot of substance and class. Such as âPhantom Of Paradise Circusâ. I really love that number and am happy that it is getting the attention it deserves at last.â
âYour Dreams Wonât Dieâ and âTwelve Men Wise And Justâ are two live bonus tracks which first featured on Lost On The Road To Eternity, before âShow Me Your Handsâ, âNot Forgivenâ and âMadman Or Messiahâ â three previously unreleased radio edits from the still topical studio recordings Lost On The Road To Eternity (2018) and The Serpent Rings (2020) â round off the new release. âSometimes itâs not easy to shorten a carefully balanced composition for the radio, but in these three cases it worked really well,â reckons Clarkin.
Talking of working well: Naturally the artwork of Dance Of The Black Tattoo was designed by Magnumâs tried-and-tested cover artist Rodney Matthews, who always succeeds in translating the special ambience of the British rock groupâs albums into atmospheric images and colours. Clarkin: âThis time it was easy really: I called Rodney, told him the album title and he sent me this absolutely fascinating artwork. I bet our fans will love his little masterpiece.â Â Having said that, Clarkin is sure to win this kind of bet for the whole of Dance Of The Black Tattoo.
“Dance Of The Black Tattoo” will be released January 08th, 2021 through Steamhammer/SPV as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold version, special CD/LP bundle with shirt (only at the Steamhammer shop), download and stream: https://Magnum.lnk.to/DanceOfTheBlackTattooÂ
Tracklisting:
1 Black Skies (live) 6:06
2 Freedom Day (live) 6:20
3 All My Bridges (live) 4:55
4 On A Storytellerâs Night (live) 5:09
5 Dance Of The Black Tattoo (live) 5:53
6 On Christmas Day (radio edit) 4:21
7 Born To Be King 5:31
8 Phantom Of Paradise Circus 5:88
9 No God Or Saviour 5:24
10 Your Dreams Won’t Die (live) 5:44
11 Twelve Men Wise And Just (live) 6:22
12 Show Me Your Hands (radio edit) 3:48
13 Not Forgiven (radio edit) 3:38
14 Madman or Messiah (radio edit) 3:41
MAGNUM live 2021:
05.09. NL-Uden – De Pul
07.09. SE-Stockholm – Fryshuset Klubben
08.09. NO-Oslo – Vulkan
09.09. SE-Huskvarna – Folkets Park
10.09. SE-Gothenburg – Pustervik
11.09. SE-Karlstad – Nöjesfabriken
13.09. SE-Malmö – Babel
16.09. UK-Nottingham – Rock City
17.09. UK-Sheffield – Leadmill
19.09. UK-Norwich – Waterfront
20.09. UK-Islington – Assembly Hall
21.09. UK-Southampton – Engine Rooms
22.09. UK-Cardiff – Tramshed
24.09. UK-Manchester – Academy 2
25.09. UK-Holmfirth – Picturedome
27.09. UK-Birmingham – Symphony Hall
29.09. UK-Cambridge – Junction
30.09. UK-Glasgow – Garage
02.10. IE-Dublin – Voodoo Lounge
03.10. UK-Belfast – Limelight 1
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