Kingdom of Madness (Magnum album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Kingdom Of Madness
Type = Studio album
Artist = Magnum


Released = August 1978
Recorded = De Lane Lea Studios London United Kingdom 1975 — 1976
Genre = Rock Melodic Rock Progressive rock
Length = Disc 1: 39:36 Disc 2: 38:49
Label = Jet Records
Producer = Jake Commander
Reviews = *All Music Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfuxqw5ldfe link]
* ProgArchives Rating|3|5 [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=11454 link]
Last album = —
This album = "Kingdom Of Madness" (1978)
Next album = "Magnum II" (1979)
Misc = Singles
Name = Kingdom Of Madness
Type = studio
single 1 = Sweets for My Sweet
single 2 = Kingdom of Madness
single 3 = Invasion
single 1 date = February 1975
single 2 date = July 1978
single 3 date = September 1978

"Kingdom of Madness" is the debut Studio Album by British Melodic Rock band Magnum. It was recorded in 1976, and was released in 1978 by Jet Records.

The majority of the songs were completed and recorded in 1976, the album's release was delayed until 1978, which resulted in the album hitting the shelves just as Punk was becoming popular.Fact|date=July 2007 "Kingdom Of Madness" was awarded a 4 star review in Sounds, with writer Geoff Barton suggesting the band were capable of making a strong claim for a slice of the market occupied by the likes of Styx, Kansas and Yes.

The album was described as "flute-laced progressive rock sound similar to that of Jethro Tull. The songwriting ranges from imaginative, mythical tales on "The Beginning" and the title song, to deeply philosophical tracks like 'Universe' and 'All That Is Real'." [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gxfuxqw5ldfe allmusic ((( Kingdom of Madness > Overview ))) ] ] The album was also noted for its imaginative lyrics, with influence from Hawkwind member, Blue Öyster Cult lyricist and science fiction author Michael Moorcock, the songs "Lord Of Chaos" and "Stormbringer" directly referencing Moorcock's "Elric" series.

Prior to the release, Magnum had toured the UK extensively with the likes of Judas Priest and had built upon a solid fanbase. Many of the songs had been played in Magnum's live set since 1976, and were suitably "road tested". Many fans were familiar with the material before the album was released, this helped the album debut at a respectable #58 in the UK charts.

Because of the delayed release the tracks "Master Of Disguise", "Without Your Love", "Find The Time" and "Everybody Needs" originally intended for the album, were dropped for more up-to-date songs, such as opening track "In The Beginning". [Clarkin, Tony & Ling, David (2006). Sleeve Notes. In "Kingdom Of Madness: Expanded Edition" (pp. 2) [CD liner notes] . London: Sanctuary Records.] These tracks were later included on Sanctuary Records 2005 2CD Remastered and Expanded edition of the album.

Two singles were released to promote the album, "Kingdom Of Madness" in July 1978 and "Invasion" in September 1978, although Magnum's debut single for CBS, "Sweets For My Sweet" released in February 1975 was not included on the album.

The 2005 expanded version of the album was reissued on 22nd September 2006 in Japan with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging through Arcangelo. The album was also included in a limited edition Japanese Box Set, comprising of all 6 of Sanctuary Records Expanded and Remastered releases with Mini LP/Paper Sleeve packaging. The set included an outer box featuring Magnum's "Chase The Dragon" artwork.

All the songs on the album were written by Tony Clarkin.

Track listing

All Tracks written by Tony Clarkin except where noted.

Disc 1

#"In The Beginning" — 7:52
#"Baby Rock Me" — 4:05
#"Universe" — 3:45
#"Kingdom Of Madness" — 4:25
#"All That Is Real" — 3:48
#"Bringer" — 3:58
#"Invasion" — 3:22
#"Lords Of Chaos" — 3:21
#"All Come Together" — 4:53

Disc 2 (Expanded Edition)

#"Sea Bird" [Demo] — 3:49 originally released on "Archive"
#"Stormbringer" [Demo] — 3:31 originally released on "Archive"
#"Slipping Away" [Demo] — 3:15 originally released on "Archive"
#"Captain America" [Demo] — 3:43 originally released on "Archive"
#"Sweets For My Sweet" [A-Side] (Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman) — 3:02 originally released on the single "Sweets For My Sweet"
#"Movin' On" [B-Side] — 3:47 originally released on the single "Sweets For My Sweet"
#"Master Of Disguise" [Outtake] — 2:54 originally released on "Archive"
#"Without Your Love" [Outtake] — 3:54 originally released on "Archive"
#"Find The Time" [Outtake] — 3:04 originally released on "Archive"
#"Everybody Needs" [Outtake] — 3:47 originally released on "Archive"
#"Kingdom Of Madness" [Alternate Version] — 3:56 originally released on "Archive"

Reissues

Bonus Tracks

Sanctuary Records released a 2005 Remastered and Expanded edition with a Bonus Disc.

"Sea Bird," "Slipping Away," "Stormbringer" and "Captain America"" (Disc 2, 1 — 4) These four tracks where the first ever recordings of Magnum and were recorded at one or Birmingham's foremost studios "Nest" in 1974. A time whilst Magnum initially searched for a musical identity. [ Clarkin, Tony (1993). Sleeve Notes. In "Archive" (pp. 3) [CD liner notes] . London: Jet Records.] — Tony Clarkin

These tracks originally appeared on Magnum's 1993 compilation "Archive".

"Sweets For My Sweet" and "Movin' On"" (Disc 2, 5 — 6) These tracks were taken from Magnum's rare first single in 1975 — a cover of The Searcher's "Sweets For My Sweet". "Movin' On" was Tony Clarkin's and Magnum's first original song.

"Master Of Disguise," "Without Your Love," "Find The Time" and "Everybody Needs"" (Disc 2, 7 — 10) These four tracks were recorded during the "Kingdom Of Madness" sessions in 1976 at De Lane Lea Studios but never made the album. A different version of "Everybody Needs" was originally released as the B-Side of the "Changes" single. [ Clarkin, Tony (1993). Sleeve Notes. In "Archive" (pp. 3) [CD liner notes] . London: Jet Records.] — Tony Clarkin

These tracks originally appeared on Magnum's 1993 compilation "Archive".

"Kingdom Of Madness"" (Disc 2, 11) We didn't actually think there could be another version of this track not already released but, here it is. Recorded at Battle Studios, Hastings in 1979. [ Clarkin, Tony (1993). Sleeve Notes. In "Archive" (pp. 3) [CD liner notes] . London: Jet Records.] — Tony Clarkin

These tracks originally appeared on Magnum's 1993 compilation "Archive".

ingles

"Sweets For My Sweet" 7" (February 1975)
# "Sweets For My Sweet" [A-Side] (Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman) — 3:02
# "Movin' On" [B-Side] — 3:47

"Kingdom Of Madness" 7" (July 1978)
#"Kingdom Of Madness" [Edit] — 0:00
#"In The Beginning" [Edit] — 4:17

"Invasion" 7" (September 1978)
#"Invasion" [LP Version] — 3:22
#"Universe" [LP Version] — 3:45

Personnel

*Tony Clarkin — Guitar
*Bob Catley — Vocals
*Wally Lowe — Bass
*Richard Bailey — Keyboards, Flute
*Kex Gorin — Drums
*Dave Morgan — Bass, Vocals (on Disc 2, Tracks 1 — 6)

Production

*Produced by Jake Commander
*Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios
*Engineered by Dick Plant, Barry Kidd, Dave Strickland
*Mastered at De Lane Lea Studios by Kevin Metcalf

References

External links

* [http://www.magnumonline.co.uk www.magnumonline.co.uk] — Official Magnum site
* [http://www.sanctuaryrecords.co.uk/magnum_expanded/index.html Kindgom Of Madness: Expanded Edition] — Sanctuary Records' mini site
* [http://lyricwiki.org/Magnum:Kingdom_Of_Madness_(1978) Kingdom Of Madness (1978)] — lyrics from lyricwiki.org