Album Review: Magnitude - Of Days Renewed...
Reviewed by Daniel Phipps
Going by the title Of Days Renewed… US straight edge band Magnitude have waited 4 years to bring a new collection of music to the ears of listeners but have not been far from slouches in that time. Following a touring cycle which has taken them all over the US, to Japan and most recently Europe where they were part of the Triple B Takeover part 2 tour last summer, the band are set to unleash these new songs on September 15th via Triple B records.
The cries of Deliverance ring out as the North Carolina band open up proceedings on their sophomore album before they launch into the track of the same name. If there is one thing that instantly hits you about the bands writing process on Of Days Renewed… it is that the band have really tried to chanel the sound of heavy 90’s hardcore and you can really feel it within the record, and even on the artwork you can see influence from that time with its general colour theme and style really summoning that period within the heavy/metallic hardcore scene. For a dark cover it's still quite eye-catching artwork, and it really suits the product that it adorns.
Anyway back to the music, this is not just some carbon copy 90’s throwback to try and be cool for the younger generation whilst trying to tug on the heart strings of older hardcore fans these songs are extremely well crafted. You can hear the passion & energy which has gone into creating each track, they have a real crunch and bounce to the musical construction and the vocals have the feeling within them that is going to make you sing along. Lyrically the album deals with a variety of subjects from more traditional themes such as environmentalism & animal rights but see’s the band talking about subjects such as the mental toll facing everyone in the age of information. No matter the subject taken on and how much anger you may hear in the vocal display you get a sense of positivity behind all that anger within the music.
Of Days Renewed… is a fairly short record, it totals 8 tracks and does not hit the 20 minute mark, but what you get in those 19 plus minutes is excellently crafted harcore with a great message behind it. From being recorded between a multitude of locations both private houses and studios along with being self produced with the finishing touches being handled externally Of Days Renewed… has a real honest vibe around it and you will keep spinning this record again and again.
