The British melodic hard rock group MAGNUM have confirmed the release of a new digital single "On Christmas Day" on Steamhammer / SPV. The digital version contains a long version and a radio edit of the song and another track named "Born To Be King". The digital version will be available worldwide on October 24th together with the limited 10" vinyl version.
Guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin tells how it all happened: "It was Olly Hahn at SPV/Steamhammer who said that he a great idea, and could I write a Christmas song? I replied we had already had done that in the past and told him about "On Christmas Day" and that it was on the "Rockart" album.So if he wanted to check that out to see if it was suitable because it`s not the normal Christmas song that people would expect. I had not heard it myself for a long long time. We were in Germany at the time and so we all sat round the computer to listen to the track and we were all impressed and I was really looking forward to re doing it. That's really the story of how it came about, but I also thought "Born To Be King" could also fit with On Christmas Day as a strong B side for the whole package.!"
Bass player Alan Barrow, who also created the artwork, explains the idea behind the cover: "Based on was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, during World War I. It`s documented that German and British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and songs between their trenches. On Christmas Day, many soldiers from both sides independently ventured into "no man's land", where they mingled, exchanging food and souvenirs. Several meetings ended in carol-singing. Troops from both sides would also play games of football with one another."
MAGNUM will embark on another European Tour in 2014. Here are the dates:
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23/11/14 |
Switzerland
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Zug
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Chollerhalle
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24/11/14 |
Germany
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Aschaffenburg
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Colos-Saal
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26/11/14 |
Germany
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Bochum
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Zeche
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27/11/14 |
Germany
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Osnabruck
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Rosenhof
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28/11/14 |
Germany
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Mannheim
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Alte Seilerei
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29/11/14 |
Netherlands
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Patronaat
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Haarlem
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01/12/14 |
UK
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Cambridge
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Cambridge Junction
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02/12/14 |
UK
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Sheffield
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The Corporation
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03/12/14 |
UK
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Preston
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53-Degrees
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04/12/14 |
UK
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Middlesbrough
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Empire
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05/12/14 |
UK
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Bilston
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Robin 2
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07/12/14 |
UK
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Porthcawl, Wales
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Planet Rockstock
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