In the grand tapestry of British rock and metal, few bands have woven a thread as enduring and evocative as Magnum. With their signature blend of melodic pomp rock, progressive flourishes, and heartfelt storytelling, the Birmingham quintet—fronted by the peerless Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley—has crafted a discography that stands as a beacon for fans of emotive, larger-than-life music. Now that the dust has settled after Clarkin’s untimely passing, and to celebrate their legacy, we’ve assembled our trusty panel of rock aficionados once again to rank the ten finest Magnum albums of all time. From their early proggish pomp roots to their latter-day resurgence, these are the albums that define, for us at least, Magnum’s timeless appeal. So, raise a glass to the road well-travelled, and let’s dive into some of the best music ever committed to wax…
10. Princess Alice and The Broken Arrow (2007)
Kicking off our list is a late-career gem that proved Magnum’s fire still burned brightly. Princess Alice and The Broken Arrow arrived after a period of hiatus and reinvention, showcasing a band revitalised yet still fiercely faithful to their roots. Tracks like When We Were Younger soar with Catley’s emotive delivery, while Like Brothers We Stand weaves Clarkin’s knack for narrative into a fist-pumping, arms-around-the-complete-stranger-next-to-you’s-shoulders live anthem. It’s a touch polished for some old-school fans, but the album’s heart and ambition make it a worthy entry. This was the sound of Magnum rediscovering their magic, with a nod to the past and an eye on the future. – Gavin Strickmann
9. Lost On The Road to Eternity (2018)
Magnum’s twentieth studio album is a shining example of Tony Clarkin’s refusal to coast on nostalgia. Lost On The Road to Eternity bristles with energy, from the swaggering title track (featuring a guest turn from Avantasia‘s Tobias Sammet) to the wistful Without Love. Clarkin’s songwriting remains sharp, balancing grandeur with introspection, while the band delivers in support with life-affirming gusto. It’s not quite the raw pomp of their eighties peak, but its modern sheen and infectious hooks make it a standout in their post-reunion catalogue. For a band four decades in to their career, this is remarkably vibrant. – GS
8. Here Comes The Rain (2024)
Magnum’s most recent offering, Here Comes The Rain, became the band’s most poignant chapter, released just days after Tony Clarkin’s passing in 2024. The album carries an elegiac weight, with tracks like Borderline and I Wanna Live blending wistful lyricism with the band’s trademark melodic heft. Catley’s voice, weathered but soulful, carries the weight of years, while the band crafts a sound that’s both reflective and defiant. It’s not their most adventurous work, but its emotional resonance and craftsmanship cement it as a fitting late-career triumph. – Scott Adams
7. The Serpent Rings (2020)
Another strong offering from the band’s later period, The Serpent Rings found Magnum leaning into their progressive side while keeping the hooks front and centre. Songs like Where Are You Eden? and Madman or Messiah pulse with assured arrangements, propelled by Clarkin’s storytelling prowess, tackling themes of myth and morality. The production is crisp, and the band, bolstered by the debut of bassist Dennis Ward sounds invigorated. It’s another album that bridges Magnum’s classic sound with a contemporary edge, proving they could still surprise while staying unmistakably themselves. – Ferry Templeton
6. Magnum II (1979)
Rewind to the dawn of Magnum’s journey, and Magnum II shines as a formative gem. Released when the band was still finding its feet, this sophomore effort bristles with raw energy and ambition. Tracks like Great Adventure and Changes hint at the pomp rock grandeur to come, with Clarkin’s guitar work and Catley’s soaring vocals already a potent combination. It’s rough around the edges—production constraints of the era and Label Jet‘s ‘conservative’ attitude to spending any money on it’s bands that didn’t have the letters E,L and O in their name didn’t do it favours—but its heart and bustle make it a fan favourite among those who cherish Magnum’s early days. And quite rightly so. – FT
5. Wings of Heaven (1988)
By the late eighties, Magnum were riding high, and Wings of Heaven marks the high water point of their commercial success. This album is a masterclass in melodic rock, with hits like Days of No Trust and It Must Have Been Love blending AOR polish with Magnum’s signature storytelling soul. Clarkin’s songwriting is razor-sharp, crafting anthems that feel both universal and deeply personal. Some purists argue it leans too heavily into radio-friendly territory, but its infectious energy and emotional depth make it a cornerstone of their discography, with Don’t Wake The Lion and Wild Swan still packing as much punch today as when they first emerged in 1988. -GS
4. Chase The Dragon (1982)
If Magnum II was the spark, Chase The Dragon is where the fire truly ignited. This album captures Magnum at their early peak, blending hard rock grit with progressive pomp. Soldier of the Line is a haunting epic, while The Spirit showcases Catley’s ability to wring emotion from every note. The production, courtesy of Jeff Glixman, famed for his work with ultimate pomp giants Kansas, gives the band a fuller sound, and Clarkin’s riffs carry a newfound confidence. It’s a bold step forward that solidified Magnum’s place in the Britrock hierarchy. -SA
3. The Eleventh Hour (1983)
Often overshadowed by its flashier siblings, The Eleventh Hour is a dark horse masterpiece. Recorded during a turbulent period—lineup problems and label woes loomed large—this album channels adversity into art. Tracks like The Prize and Breakdown – or any of the tracks, actually – are quintessential early Magnum, with soaring melodies and introspective lyrics, the whole thing given depth by a darkness that pervades the album and is made flesh in the remarkable Rodney Matthews cover art. The rawer production, undertaken by Clarkin himself, lends it a gritty charm, and his songwriting shines starkly through the chaos. For many fans, me included, this is where Magnum’s heart beats loudest. – SA
2. Vigilante (1986)
Vigilante is Magnum at their most bombastic, their most cinematic. Produced in part by Queen’s Roger Taylor, this album polished their sound to a glossy sheen without sacrificing a moment of soul. The title track is a driving, dramatic rocker, while When The World Comes Down is a heart-wrenching, stadium-energising ballad that ranks among their finest. Clarkin’s lyrics grapple with love, loss, and defiance, and Catley delivers a vocal performance for the ages. Some longtime fans grumbled about band’s newfound major label slickness, but Vigilante’s ambition and emotional weight make it a near-perfect blend of pomp and power. – GS
Which leaves us with…
1. On A Storyteller’s Night (1985)
Was there ever any doubt? On A Storyteller’s Night is not just Magnum’s crowning achievement—it’s one of the greatest British hard rock albums of all time. From the haunting title track through the anthemic How Far Jerusalem to the pulsating drama of Two Hearts, every song is a masterclass in melody, emotion, variety and storytelling. Clarkin’s songwriting is at its peak, weaving tales of longing and redemption, while Catley’s vocals soar with unparalleled passion, breathing life into his sparring partner’s lyrics. Kit Woolven‘s production strikes a perfect balance between raw energy and polished grandeur, and timeless fan favourites Les Morts Dansant and All England’s Eyes capture Magnum’s essence: epic yet intimate, timeless yet urgent. This is the album that defines Magnum, the one that still brings fans out in their thousands to worship, with the fact that it came from a period of almost career-ending strife making it an even more remarkable achievement. – SA
Magnum’s discography is a journey through triumph, turmoil, and tenacity. From the raw promise of Magnum II to the reflective power of Here Comes The Rain, they’ve never lost sight of what makes them special: Clarkin’s evocative songwriting and biting guitar work, Catley’s soul-stirring voice and ability to give meaning to words written by another hand, and a band that plays with pure passion and heart, whatever the lineup. Our panel’s picks reflect the breadth of their legacy, balancing their classic pomp rock roots with their modern resurgence. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer, these albums are your roadmap to Magnum’s world—a place where stories come alive, and the music never fades. Enjoy.
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