Oliver Magnum - S/T   OLIVER MAGNUM

    S/T

       © Restless/Colossal Records 1989
 

   - 9 -

 

 
 
 

OLIVER MAGNUM's self-titled debut disc is an extremely well done slab of aggressive yet very classy Power/Traditional Metal with Prog overtones in the vein of QUEENSRYCHE circa Operation: Mindcrime and their self-titled debut.  Two other points of reference are the excellent Progressive Power/Traditional Metal releases CRIMSON GLORY - Transcendence and MERCURY RISING - Upon Deaf Ears.  All of the discs I have mentioned are classics in this subgenre of metal, and OLIVER MAGNUM's CD deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as these masterpieces.

The guitar work is excellent on every song on the disc, and the vocals of James Randel are wonderful.  He sings in a style similar to Geoff Tate but is a little rawer.  The drumming is not spectacular (as is the case with most bands in this subgenre), but it definitely does not detract from any songs.  The disc could have benefitted from a fuller sound, but the production does not hinder the enjoyment of the CD.

"Sister Cybele" kicks the disc off in fine style with its great riffing and guitar solos as well as some double bass drumming.  "The Last Prophet" follows, and it is an extremely memorable tune.  This song is the best showcase of the infectious catchy riffing and vocal deilvery that abound on this disc.  This song also contains one of my favorite guitar solos.  It is quite short, and, for some reason, it reminds me of George Lynch's best solos from DOKKEN's glory days circa Back for the Attack.  Don't worry; the reference to DOKKEN does not mean that OLIVER MAGNUM bears any significant musical resemblance to a Hair Metal band.  I was merely drawing a comparison between soloing styles.

"Evilution" and the first half of the closing track "Silent Scream (Prelude to Death)" slow the pace a bit and are moodier than the other six tracks on the disc.  I prefer the faster songs, but this slower material is done quite well.  "Tongue Tied" is a catchy instrumental that I like quite a bit.  Most instrumentals do not leave much of an impression on me usually, but this track is one of the select few that are very engaging.  As a point of reference, AGENT STEEL - "Day at Guyana", DEATH ANGEL - "The Ultra-violence", and DEATHROW - "Triocton" are the three instrumentals that always come to my mind as being very impressive.

I was always hoping to discover that OLIVER MAGNUM had released another disc, and I recently got a hold of their demos from 1992 and 1993.  I was not impressed with their new direction as it was less complex and not as classy.  I will have to be satisfied with their debut disc, and that is not a bad thing.  All fans of old QUEENSRYCHE, CRIMSON GLORY, and MERCURY RISING simply must give OLIVER MAGNUM a listen.
 
 

Contributed by John Frank

 
 
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