Grand Magus Wolfs Return
Candlelight Records CDL201 June 14th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Boxers or briefs? Coke or Pepsi? Grand Magus or Spiritual Beggars? Lifes most significant choices have a way of creeping up on us when we least expect it. But, after listening to Wolfs Return more times than I can remember, choosing Grand Magus out of anything that has a retro-rock twist is perhaps the easiest decision Ive ever had to make.
The opening number, Kingslayer, has received the most publicity, and rightfully so. The former is tantalizing in nearly every way, though the chaser Nine is memorable but noticeably weaker. Once the instrumentation of Wolfs Return begins, Grand Magus subject us to inescapable bliss. Seriously, try not getting into Wolfs Return, and then shoot me an email telling me how you failed. Interestingly enough, the song titles in Swedish all serve as interludes; there are three of those. However, shifting from opus to opus isnt seamless, but it does prove to be smooth. Any way ya slice it, Wolfs Return even at its most stubborn is an inviting, well done piece of doom-tinged metal. I cant say whether this record is a worthy follow-up to their previous releases, nor do I care that much.
Grand Magus have an excellent showing in Wolfs Return. Theres some Manowar influence traipsing about in the background, at times, and I sincerely reveled in quite a few of the groups compositions. Without being too nefarious, though, there are obvious choices when weighing the best material from this album. At any rate, listening to Grand Magus while drinking a Coke and wearing boxers just has to be experienced. Do it now.
8/10
Official Grand Magus Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Candlelight Records CDL201 June 14th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Boxers or briefs? Coke or Pepsi? Grand Magus or Spiritual Beggars? Lifes most significant choices have a way of creeping up on us when we least expect it. But, after listening to Wolfs Return more times than I can remember, choosing Grand Magus out of anything that has a retro-rock twist is perhaps the easiest decision Ive ever had to make.
The opening number, Kingslayer, has received the most publicity, and rightfully so. The former is tantalizing in nearly every way, though the chaser Nine is memorable but noticeably weaker. Once the instrumentation of Wolfs Return begins, Grand Magus subject us to inescapable bliss. Seriously, try not getting into Wolfs Return, and then shoot me an email telling me how you failed. Interestingly enough, the song titles in Swedish all serve as interludes; there are three of those. However, shifting from opus to opus isnt seamless, but it does prove to be smooth. Any way ya slice it, Wolfs Return even at its most stubborn is an inviting, well done piece of doom-tinged metal. I cant say whether this record is a worthy follow-up to their previous releases, nor do I care that much.
Grand Magus have an excellent showing in Wolfs Return. Theres some Manowar influence traipsing about in the background, at times, and I sincerely reveled in quite a few of the groups compositions. Without being too nefarious, though, there are obvious choices when weighing the best material from this album. At any rate, listening to Grand Magus while drinking a Coke and wearing boxers just has to be experienced. Do it now.
8/10
Official Grand Magus Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
