Magnum - Breath Of Life (2002)

This group is considered to be a progressive rock band with hard-edged influences. Well, that being the case, with that music on the rise, the group could not have picked a better time to return. However, they seem to have more in common here with '80s hair metal than with prog. Yes, the disc does have some prog leanings (a quick listen to the intro to the opening track Cry will affirm that), but it is almost more icing on the cake than real substance. Beyond the obvious '80s leanings, a Deep Purple-ish texture is quite prevalent (witness that same album-opener). All that said, the group has a great understanding of how to create an accessible yet musically interesting song. The album is full of examples of this fact. For fans of progressive rock, though, they probably have too little substance. The only real complaint is that the disc does have a tendency to feel a bit redundant at times.