Doom-Alive 2003
Grand Magus
Monument
Rise Above
Itīs a frustrating thought that had Grand Magus caught the stoner boat when it was still in full force, theyīd be a huge deal in the big old world of rock, not merely a band highly touted by those in the know in the stoner rock world. Frustrating because Grand Magus are way more than just a stoner band. This is rock with all the Sabbath/Zeppelin/Thin Lizzy bells and whistles on, without sounding the least bit retro, picking up the thread rather than just revelling in past glories.
True, this isnīt as immediate as their understated debut, but once it gets its hooks in you itīs nigh upon impossible to get them out again. Thereīs a soulful bluesy-ness that runs right through the core of this album, giving it a very warm sound that only comes from awesome bands and you simply cannot fake. One of the best things about Grand Magus is guitarist/vocalist JB (also of Spiritual Beggars fame). Not only is he in posession of one of rocks greatest singing voices since John Garcia, but the bastard also has the ourtight nerve to be a lead guitarist of such skill and dexterity as to make most other axemen look like a bunch of slouches in comparison. Refreshingly, his shit hot solos arenīt merely muso-jizz festivals, but impressive displays of musicianship that sound like the song would be naked without them, always full of soul and passion, and never too showy for the sake of it.
If this doesnīt turn up in any ībest ofī lists in the new year, then itīs only because the list maker hasnīt heard it. Put simply, īMonumentī is an outstanding album from a criminally underrated band.
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