Missing Link Magazine, Vol. 2, Jan 2006
Review By The Axeman (Paul Martin)
Based around Raumati South and the Wellington area are one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Originally MAGNUM OPUS was formed as an instrumental duet by two shredaholics Rowan Das and Kieran Gallagher to give a metal smack in the face to the 2003 Rockquest. Well they ended up taking out the Wellington Region Rockquest final and made it through to the national semi finals – the top 12 of over 600 nationwide. The music is influenced by the likes of IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, BURZUM, AT THE GATES, PANTERA, and acts like NIGHTWISH, ENSIFERUM and SKYFORGER.
Deep and emotive, the playing is complex and riveting. High speed guitars, bombastic drumming and bass and the beautiful voice of Kate McConnochie give this band an awesome edge of originality over all of their New Zealand contemporaries. What else gives this band a mean edge is their age… they are all either 17 or 18 years old and two of them play in the highly rated MADE OF IRON, Iron Maiden tribute band, so you’ll agree they’re no slouches when it comes to knowing their stuff!
The future for this band is bright given their respective talents and accomplishments so far. Although intrinsically melodic metal/hard rock, MAGNUM OPUS are hard to pigeonhole, the vocals and the lyrics are not your typical fodder and give the CD a wider appeal. The guitars are cool and clever without the widdlling factor that so many (especially young) players get trapped in. Overall a primo effort these guys can really be proud of.