MAGNUM, Trillium @Leamington Assembly 27/11/12

Trillium might be from Lake Michigan, but their classical, symphonic style has much more in common with European symphonic metal bands than it does with their homeland.

Vocalist Amanda Somerville has a formidable voice and carries songs like “Ego” along. In fact, the band seems ostensibly to be a Somerville solo project. They are worth having a listen to, but don’t, on this evidence, have the chops to overhaul the genres big boys.

By contrast Magnum have been one of the big boys of British Prog Rock since the early 70s. This is their second tour of the year and there is a more than decent crowd here to watch this show.

Helped no doubt, by the fact that new album “On The 13^th Day” is extremely good. It is with a song from this, “All The Dreamers,” that they begin tonight’s festivities, but while there a smattering of new songs, this really is a show that takes in the full breadth of their career.

And what a career it’s been. No one could argue with the quality of songs like “When We Were Younger” with its Marillion-ish overtones, while “The Flood” (somewhat topical given the weather outside) rolls along nicely and the epic “How Far Jerusalem” sounds so good it could almost be a Dream Theater song.

Towards the end of the set “All England’s Eyes” is worked up into a mighty crowd participation number along with the catchy “Vigilante.” For the encore “Rockin’ Chair,” their foray into hard rock from the “Goodnight LA” album is dusted off and sounds as good as ever, before “Days Of No Trust,” with its rather prescient lyrics rounds things off exceptionally.

Magnum’s true strength lies in their quiet confidence. They have never strived to be cool – this is never better shown than when frontman Bob Catley starts dancing, think your geriatric uncle after one too many at a wedding and you would be somewhere close – but that is part of their charm. Exceptional musicians, guitarist Tony Martin stands stage right, happily in the shadows while the songs he wrote are played, and while drummer Harry James always looks happy to be a stage, but the Thunder man looks even more chuffed than usual tonight as he takes the applause,

If you have been one of the top bands in a genre for a generation there is usually a reason for it – and that reason is that you are very, very good indeed. That is just what Magnum showed in Leamington. Their quiet, understated skill made for a magnificent show.