Grand Magus, Sword Songs

Take charge and commaaaaaand!!! That would be Grand Magus in a nutshell.  A band with clear connections and respect towards the past, whether we’re talking about the Black Sabbath-like doom of their first few albums, or about the Iron Maiden-inspired heavy metal of their current albums, they are definitely a sight for sore eyes (a sound for sore ears?) in the world of contemporary metal. With a constancy and balance that few of the lesser known bands have been able to achieve, Grand Magus are like a train that doesn’t slow down or stop, in their career in general, and on this album in particular.

From the first second to the last, Sword Songs exudes energy, power and a vitality that you can’t help but love. It’s the kind of music that any heavy metal fan enjoys – simple, but full of effect. Focused on a compelling melodic line delivered by an excellent vocalist, with memorable bass and guitar riffs, and with a sing-along factor that any power metal band would be envious of, it’s a an album truly by the book. And speaking of power metal, I have no idea how they manage to take the cheesy chant of „viking metal” and the Manowar trade mark of „we’re warriors, defenders of steel” and make them sound epic and motivating instead of lame and over the top. They take exactly what Manowar every embarrassing power metal strives for and fails at miserably and just run with it, with a remarkable ability of transposing you into their world and making you accept and experiment everything they want to offer you.

Clearly the doom era is long gone and done and has been replaced by a somewhat lighter and merrier music (at least in terms of the tunes, if not the lyrics – fighting is never merry, no matter how much Hammerfall&co would like to make us think so), but I don’t find that a problem. The influence of the grandfathers and fathers of heavy metal is prevalent and call me nostalgic or conservatory, but I will always be glad to hear young(er) bands willing to carry on this torch. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel free, full of energy and enthusiasm and I will always have a special place in my heart for the type of emotions they generate. If anyone listening to the FIGHT, FIGHT chant in Born for battle isn’t imagining thousands of metalheads shouting it with their fists in the air, then they clearly should be listening to something else. It’s so powerful and potent and JB’s voice is just to die for, it has so much personality and force and it’s perfect for bringing the message to life.

I was saying in the beginning that they’re like a train that doesn’t slow down and what I find great about this album it’s that there’s a consistency that one rarely finds in other records. The only moment they breathe a bit is the nostalgic two minutes interlude and the only time they become slightly annoying is with the never ending repetition of the chorus of Master of land. Other than that, every song is just as good as the previous. Steady and powerful, easy to sing along to and marked by JB’s guttural voice, the tracks are balanced and constantly good all throughout the album, without boring me or giving me a deja vu sensation. Even In for the kill, the bonus track, is just as good as the others and could’ve easily replaced any album track.

All things considered, I’m very pleased with the result. Good songs, excellent voice, a strong drive and a contagious feeling of force and energy… what more can I ask?