Grand Magus from Stockholm is without any doubts or second thoughts a band that really stands out, when someone is referring to a ‘heavy metal’ band. For years and years, they have proudly kept the heavy metal flag high. Every album release from their side is highly anticipated, closely looked upon and highly appreciated from the heavy metal fans. ‘Sunraven’, the tenth record on the band’s discography (they started more or less 25 years ago) is of course no exception to this rule, especially, since this is a concept heavy metal album, getting inspiration from something very old, epic and truly magnificent on the course of time.
‘Beowulf’, the Old English epic poem (disputed date between 700 – 1000 AD) is the backdrop, the background and the main inspiration for ‘Sunraven’. All the trademark and signature music themes for Grand Magus can be found here: heroism, bravery and fighting spirit are all blended and drawn (like in their previous records) from the Scandinavian mythology providing the perfect foundation for another great album of the Swedish power trio. Each song has its own theme and story to tell, each song varied from the other, allowing the band to unfold their powerful arsenal towards another epic craft.
A(ny) Grand Magus album is – by definition, birth and conception – forged and crafted with a lot of passion, with the aspiration to show their restless will of creating their own unique music which has made the band over the years one of the most genuine and authentic. JB has described it best: ‘Everything we do is based on emotion. If the passion is not there, we’re not gonna do it.’ Rule #1 for Grand Magus, non-negotiable, not to be discussed or overruled.
The 3 metal warriors are stronger than ever. The Beowulf saga gloriously unfolds on ‘Sunraven’ and spreads the word for a fearless soul, of blood, fire and steel. They are ready to take over any opponent and heroically show what they are made off: JB has played some fantastic guitars, where constantly one majestic and heavy riff follows the other, the leads and solos are complimenting the whole concept in harmony, and of course, his distinctive vocals add so much to the album’s character and overall epic feeling. Fox, who has been side by side to Janne for so many years, is the perfect example of a co-warrior, companion of life, the man who has equally defined the Grand Magus sound. In ‘Sunraven’, you can find some brilliant bass lines and bass tone, which add so much to the metal character and the mythological dimension of the whole album. Ludwig has played on ‘Sunraven’ some of his best drums to-date with Grand Magus (no surprise, as he is an exceptional drummer!), being at the same time groovy, solid and massive, exactly what this album and this band needs. It is his 5th album with Grand Magus (having started with ‘The Hunt’).
‘Sunraven’ is a heroic, fantasy oriented and inspired heavy metal album, where you can find influences from Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Manowar, no surprises here, as all those bands have deeply influenced Grand Magus throughout the years, each album on a different way or amount, but they are always there. On the hypothetical question: ‘What is a heavy metal album like?’, ‘Sunraven’ is the easy or obvious answer that defines it. Pure, straight forward and authentic heavy metal at its best.
Highlights of the album are: ‘Winter Storms’, ‘Grendel’, ‘The Black Lake’ and ‘The End belongs to You’.
8/10
Tracklist of “Sunraven”:
1. Skybound
2. The Wheel of Pain
3. Sunraven
4. Winter Storms
5. The Black Lake
6. Hour of the Wolf
7. Grendel
8. To Heorot
9. The End Belongs to You
Links:
Official website of Grand Magus
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