Artist: Grand Magus
Title: Triumph and Power
Genre: Heavy Metal/ Doom Metal
Release Date: 31st January 2014
Label: Nuclear Blast
Album Review
Formed in 1996 by JB under the name SMAK, which means flavour or taste, the band around JB, Mats ”Fox” Heden and Frederik ”Trisse” Liefvendahl released a demo each in 1999 and 2000. Soon Rise Above Records evinced their interest in the band and took them under contract. In the year 2001 GRAND MAGUS released the Split – LP ‘It`s over’ with SPIRITUAL BEGGARS the band in which JB would take the job as the frontman later on. The band also released their debut ‘Grand Magus’ in 2001 which was met with much praise by the critics. In 2003 JB and his guys put out the follow-up ‘Monument’ this album was also well received by the metal scene and the critics. During the years the band, whose lyrics often focus on the relation between humankind and nature, refined and slightly changed their style from a very doom laden metal band to a true metal band with doom metal influences.
GRAND MAGUS is one of those bands who manage to refine and specify their style without betraying their roots (which is an art form in itself). 2005 the Swedish metal outfit unleashed their third record ‘Wolf`s Return’ once again brilliantly received by the press and the growing fan base. After their third release they toured with CATHEDRAL and ELECTRIC WIZARD, afterwards Frederik Liefvendahl left the band and was replaced by Sebastian Sippola who stayed with band until 2012. The next release came in 2008 and its name was ‘Iron Will’ once again a beast of an album. Musically the first peak came with the 2010 album ‘Hammer of the North’ with its brilliant songs it earned many “Album of the Month” listings. In 2012 GRAND MAGUS’ ‘The Hunt’ was released and cemented the bands standing as one of the up- and coming big ones. Now in 2014 I have the privilege to review the new record of GRAND MAGUS called ‘Triumph and Power’.
If I’d have to pick my favourite songs of the album it would be the opener ‘On Hooves of Gold’ - it is a typical GRAND MAGUS song of the ‘Hammer of the North’ type, moving forward like an avalanche, mid tempo but unstoppable and deadly. The second song, ‘Steel versus Steel’, just raises the tempo and toughness by a bit and hits between the eyes as well. The title track ‘Triumph and Power’ is hard to beat in aspects of power and epicness and therefore my absolute favourite on this very good album. Also to mention are ‘The naked and the Dead’ and ‘The Hammer will Bite’ the other songs are yet to fully explore by me. The album has a few tracks that are instant hits and some that are growing the more often you listen to them. All in all the sound is more than you can ask for from a band who only play as a trio (an absolute miracle how they can make such a ruckus with only three instruments, some bands use 3 guitars and cannot manage to do so).
To bring this review to a close I have to say this record makes my day every day I take the time to sit down and listen to it, thank you guys for a great time…
Tracklist
01. On Hooves of Gold
02. Steel versus Steel
03. Fight
04. Triumph and Power
05. Dominator
06. Arv
07. Holmgång
08. The Naked and the Dead
09. Ymer
10. The Hammer will Bite
Line-up
Janne “JB“ Christoffersson – Vocals and Guitar
Mats „Fox“ Heden – Bass
Ludwig Witt – Drums
Website
http://www.grandmagus.com / http://facebook.com/grandmagusofficial
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
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