Top tracks — play these first
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Where Are You Eden? — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, inviting listeners into a world of contemplation.
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Madman or Messiah — This track explores themes of duality and self-reflection, balancing powerful instrumentals with thought-provoking lyrics that resonate throughout the album.
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The Serpent Rings — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching themes, blending intricate guitar work with emotive vocal delivery that highlights the band’s signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features ambitious compositions and thematic continuity, appealing to fans of melodic hard rock.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature intricate guitar solos that are interwoven with orchestral arrangements, establishing a dramatic tone.
- Several songs incorporate tempo changes that shift from slow, contemplative verses to powerful, anthemic choruses.
- The album includes recurring motifs in both lyrical themes and musical phrases, creating a sense of continuity throughout the tracklist.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo exploration
- dramatic narratives with depth
- epic melodies for sing-alongs
- thoughtful reflections during listening
- engaging storytelling throughout tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid long, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2020, The Serpent Rings is Magnum's first studio album in four years, following the critically acclaimed Lost on the Road to Eternity. This album marks a continuation of their exploration into themes of mythology and existentialism, showcasing the band's enduring evolution in the hard rock genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Tyketto· Threshold· Stratovarius
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You Can’t Run Faster Than Bullets
A pivotal moment where the narrative confronts the inevitability of consequences directly, weaving urgency into the lyrical fabric.
The shift in tone introduces a sense of immediacy that contrasts with earlier reflective moments, emphasizing accountability within its broader themes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Where Are You Eden? 5:36
- 2 You Can’t Run Faster Than Bullets 5:33
- 3 Madman or Messiah 5:17
- 4 The Archway of Tears 6:21
- 5 Not Forgiven 5:48
- 6 The Serpent Rings 6:47
- 7 House of Kings 4:47
- 8 The Great Unknown 5:27
- 9 Man 5:26
- 10 The Last One on Earth 3:31
- 11 Crimson on the White Sand 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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