It"s those magical stories, sensitive melodies and powerful rhythms which wow Magnum"s fans and the critics every time. Like few other global rock acts, guitarist/songwriter/producer Tony Clarkin, vocalist Bob Catley and their three band members Mark Stanway (keyboards), Al Barrow (bass), and Harry James (drums) succeed at regular intervals in taking their listeners on an adventurous journey through enchanted territories. That"s how it was thirty years ago and thankfully hasn"t changed in 2009: June 16th will see the arrival of their new studio album, INTO THE VALLEY OF THE MOON KING, which fascinates with a dozen melodic and rocking, diverse and catchy new songs. "My hope is to make it interesting for anyone who hears the album, so I put great emphasis on lyrics and musical arrangements," offers Clarkin and can rest assured in view of these impressive tracks that his band s substantial following will love IINTO THE VALLEY OF THE MOON KING. As in the past, all songs were penned by guitarist Tony Clarkin. "I wrote and recorded the songs at home, this time I had around sixty numbers in one form or another, then gradually I chose what I thought were the best, worked on them and finally played them to Bob." The result is diverse and at the same time typical of the band: Magnum shine with lots of sensitive melodies and gritty hooks, and the track, "Moon King" , sees Clarkin get out his blues guitar and proves that Magnum"s vocalist cuts a fine figure in every rock genre. INTO THE VALLEY OF THE MOON KING is new and exciting and features small surprises and intricate details, yet the album definitely continues Magnum"s typical melodic rock tradition. Clarkin: "I think the common ground in all Magnum releases is that we take great pride in making a record and always do the best we can." INTO THE VALLEY OF THE MOON KING is available in two versions: as a regular jewel case CD, and for collectors as a vinyl format featuring two LPs and a fold-out cover. And it"s the vinyl version which best brings out the album s atmospheric cover artwork, again designed by Rodney Matthews. Magnum fans know Matthews from his work on the classics, Chase The Dragon and On A Storyteller"s Night, among others. "The Moon King artwork is my favourite piece he"s ever done for us," enthuses Clarkin, "It"s got real magic to it."