British melodic hard rock group Magnum have confirmed new release dates for the upcoming single, "On Christmas Day", via Steamhammer / SPV.

 

 

"On Christmas Day" is a re-recorded version of the same song which appeared on the original version of the 1994 album, Rockart. The single contains a long version of the song and a shorter radio edit and on top a re-recorded version of the song "Born To Be King".

The digital version will be available worldwide (except UK) on November 14th, the 10" vinyl version in Germany on November 14th and Europe (except UK) on November 17th. In the UK the digital version and the 10" version will be available on December 1st!

 

 

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:

November

23 - Zug, Switzerland - Chollerhalle
24 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
26 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
27 - Osnabruck, Germany - Rosenhof
28 - Mannheim, Germany - Alte Seilerei
29 - Patronaat, Netherlands - Haarlem

December

1 - Cambridge, UK - Cambridge Junction
2 - Sheffield, UK - The Corporation
3 - Preston, UK - 53-Degrees
4 - Middlesbrough, UK - Empire
5 - Bilston, UK - Robin 2
7 - Porthcawl, Wales - Planet Rockstock