|
Those
who are looking for intensity, power and truthful rock, will do well
to read this article and hurry up to the music shop. Grand Magus
stands for ferocious rock with influences from the doom scene and
metal, flavoured with a swampy seventies touch. On their third album
‘Wolf’s Return’ one can find a number of crushing songs that bring
out the elementary ingredients of eminent metal.
This
Swedish trio has been discovered way back by Lee Dorian (Cathedral)
and was promptly signed at his Rise Above Records label. Their
self-titled debut full of chunky doom rock was followed in 2003 by
‘Monument’, an album that did not stole its title and it opened many
doors for the sympathetic band of Stockholm.
Vocalist/guitarist/composer JB is at the helm of affairs and his
masterly voice – unpolished but full of emotions – was nominated by
the readers of the Japanese Burrn to the sixth best vocalist in the
world. Just listen to ‘Nine’ where he sings a bit sensitive and you
will understand the adoration of the Japanese readers.
The
songs on ‘Wolf’s Return’ are consciously kept more compact than on
‘Monument’. From the sturdy opener ‘Kingslayer’ on, we know we are
at the right address for a piece of pure rock ‘n’ roll, which
combines the monumental riffs of Black Sabbath with the devastating
rhythm section of metal. But above all it is the voice (and the
skilled guitar licks) of JB which complete the base, so that it made
my flesh creep more than once.
Comparisons with JB’s other band – he also replaces Spice in the
Spiritual Beggars – are right at hand, but Grand Magus’ music is
more metal based. To describe ‘Wolf’s Return’ simply as stoner rock
would be very narrow minded. Right here a complete array of musical
atmospheres is forged to what we hear on this album, in a marvellous
way. One thing is for sure: it rocks like hell! In the midst of all
this energy, one perceives three brief instrumental fragments,
bearing a Swedish title. A matter of reflection for a moment.
The album was recorded at the Resync Studio in Stockholm by Oneman.
Concerning the lyrics, JB draws from personal experiences and
Scandinavian mythology. It is an intelligent album that holds the
tension constantly and with ‘Wolf’s Return’, the band deserves
worldwide fame. I hardly can wait to see them on stage! |
