Kingdom Of Madness - Wolverhampton

 

It has been a horrendous Friday afternoon journey to Wolverhampton. Driving rain and accidents on the A14 and M1see us take over 3 hours to arrive. A trip that should usually take half that time. But arrive we do, and it's good to be back at the Newhampton Arts Centre for Kingdom of Madness. There is a certain symmetry too as we saw them here in December 2018. The band then was very different with Chris Ousey on Vocals, Laurence Archer on guitar and Neil Murray on Bass. 

Unfortunately we have all but missed the support 'Tom Callinswood'. He sounded good though from the brief snippet we did catch. Despite the late arrival we did manage to get close to the stage, on the far right.

I seem to remember the previous time we saw KOM there were tables set up in the auditorium? A healthy crowd is in attendance on what promises to be a sell out show. The sad news is that this to be the last show ever by KOM. Unless  do a Motley Crue, Status Quo or Kiss reunion in the future? I'm not sure quite why the end is near for the band. Making it pay is always an issue, especially with a large number on the stage. Whatever the reason it is a great shame and we have enjoyed seeing them over the years. Another familiar face takes to the stage doing the introductions 'Roger Fauske' Heavy Metal DJ and all round rock fanatic.

Chris Dando on Vocals

Brian Badhams on Bass

The show tonight is going to be split into two sets, with an interval in between. The first set will focus on the early stuff 'The Jet Record Label Years'. The second set will be from 1985 onwards, On a Storytellers Night album and onwards up to 1994 and the 'Rock Art' album.

The show starts with 'Changes' from the Magnum II album. Followed by one of my early Magnum favourites 'Back to Earth' from 'Chase the Dragon'. We are well and truly up and running. It's great to hear the 'really' old stuff. With a band like Magnum there are over 200 high quality songs in the back catalogue to chose from. Therefore these songs rarely otherwise get an airing. Meanwhile over the side of the stage I spot my Old Mate and fellow Magnum fanatic Andy Howarth. A veteran of many a Magnum tour in his trademark Cap and check  shirt.

The sound quality is excellent as we move into a medley of songs from the early albums. Evergreen multi-instrumentalist Richard Bailey sets the challenge to identify the keyboard intros.I think as a whole we did alright as well.Vocalist Chris Dando has a versatile voice, from hard Rock to softer tones. He is ably assisted by the raspy tones of the irrepressible 'Mo Birch'. 'Soldier of the Line 'is a welcome addition to the setlist. The traditional Flute introduction from Richard takes us beautifully into the classic 'Kingdom of Madness'. The crowd participation notches up another couple of levels as we head towards the interval. The first set has passed in the blink of an eye, always a good sign.The excitement is far from over though as our favorite Nordic Headbanger 'Roger Fauske returns to the stage to conduct the memorabilia raffle. Sadly as has been the way of things with raffles in general, I draw a blank once again. You just can't rely on these Norwegians...

Mark Stanway, the driving force behind KOM looks a man happy in his work. The second session starts with a bang with the upbeat 'Just Like an Arrow' as we delve into the 'On a Storytellers Night' album from 1985. This was the song that really introduced me to the band Magnum. Probably my favourite Magnum song follows, with the title track from the previously mentioned album. For me this encapsulates Magnum in a song. The underrated 'Rock Art' is represented with 'Love's a Stranger. One of Marks all time favourites from Rock Art also appears later in the setlist. 

Chris introduces 'Vigilante 'from the album 'Vigilante' as the most 'Metal' that Magnum ever got. By now the entire crowd is jumping and loving every second. Mark describes hearing ' Wild  Swan' from Wings of Heaven' and the perfection of how Bob Catley sounded. He was literally blown away at the way it sounded after being laid down in the studio. 

A farewell

There is still time for a nod to the 'Sleepwalking ' album from 1992 with 'Only in America'. There is still time for the classic 'Les Morts Dansant' before the curtain comes down for the final time. An 'emotional'  Mark Stanway introduces and thanks all the band members for one final time. He was never allowed to have a microphone in Magnum he tells us. 

Fittingly the night ends with the haunting keyboard intro that can only be 'Sacred Hour' from 'Chase the Dragon'. His finest work almost without a doubt.  What a night it has been, a perfect send off for a great band. Tinged with sadness though, a sadness that only Magnum fans will have experienced and understand over many years. What the future holds for the band members is unclear at the moment. I do get a sense that some is brewing for the future. On the evidence of tonight it doesn't feel as though any of them are quite ready for the 'Rockin Chair' just yet.  

Thanks to Roger for the Set list, you are forgiven for the raffle!