Another moniker inspired by a ship, another double-reissue from Magna Carta. The first two albums from Magellan are here neatly packaged into one (re)release.
“Hour Of Restoration” originally debuted in 1991 and is a concept album based on an era in history of monumental changes when the roots of our contemporary society were taking hold. Musically, the album is borne out of a heartfelt passion for the music of Kansas, Rush, Yes and Genesis, amongst other bands. Magellan wring all these influences into something of their own design. ‘Another Burning’ is but one example of Magellan’s superlative songwriting skills, not to mention the emotively brilliant singing of Trent Gardner.
Comparitively-speaking, “Impending Ascension” was Magellan’s answer to Rush’s “Moving Pictures” and a quick listen to ‘Waterfront Weirdos’ will perhaps substantiate my assertion. I feel that the album has a slightly greater emphasis on dramatic gravitas…quite similar to what we would typically hear from Ayreon. Case in point is ‘Virtual Reality’, one of the few songs not thematically retrospective.
‘Estadium Nacional’ is a song about the U.S.A. government’s vexatious tactics when in the early 1970s, Chile’s national football stadium was used as a prisoner and torture camp. Musically, the song evolves through a variety of moods and genres and might perhaps require more than one listen to fully appreciate.
In both albums (particularly “Hour Of Restoration”) a drum machine was used to generate percussion sounds and to an extent detracted from the songs’ organic feel.
Both albums and indeed most of Magellan’s repertoire are the fruit of the brothers Wayne (guitars) and Trent Gardner (lead vocals, keys and lyrics author). Since Wayne’s illness culminating in his death in 2014, the band’s musical output has been understandably subdued.
One hopes that this double-reissue will rekindle some fervour for the band resulting in the release of an album’s worth of new music. Until, if at all, that happens, we can wallow in the grandness of albums such as “Hour Of Restoration” & “Impending Ascension”.
Tracklists:
“Hour Of Restoration”
- Magna Carta 14:45
- The Winner 2:07
- Friends Of America 3:27
- Union Jack 9:08
- Another Burning 5:04
- Just One Bridge 2:15
- Breaking These Circles 5:17
- Turning Point 1:24
“Impending Ascension”
- Estadium Nacional 11:12
- Waterfront Weirdos 11:05
- Songsmith 5:32
- Virtual Reality 5:25
- No Time For Words 2:08
- Storms And Mutiny 11:50
- Under The Wire 1:41
Ratings: 90 (“Hour Of Restoration”) / 84 (“Impending Ascension”)
Playing time: 1:35:05
Release date: 10 July, 2015
Label: Magna Carta
Website: www.magellansongs.com
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