What is there to write about Saxon that hasn’t already been written? Well, no matter what you think of the band, the fact that they’re a Metal cornerstone isn’t even debatable. Also, the fact that despite their pretty high age, they refuse to join the nostalgia circuit and do the pension-fond tours playing the hits only. Always creative, the band release new albums on a regular basis and when the pandemic put a halt to them writing together and being in the studio they simply put out a covers album just to release something, I guess mostly for the fun of it than anything else.
Also, since the last studio album Thunderbolt (2018), singer Biff Byford have released one solo album and one blues-rock album under the moniker Heavy Water with his son Seb. Now when we see the light at the end of the Covid tunnel, Saxon went to work and recorded the already written new album and when it comes to Saxon, the same thing applies to them as to bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC – we pretty much know what we’re about to be treated with beforehand, it’s only a matter of whether of how good the songs will be this time around. And when it comes to Saxon, my expectations are up as they have released some really strong records prior to this one.
The opening title-track and first taster of the album tells us that nothing has changed in Saxon camp – and that we should be happy for that. The song opens atmospheric with a desolate keyboard and a battle-drum before the riff-fest washes over us, hard, heavy and in-your-face. It’s a powerhouse tune, punchy and kicking with a repetitive chorus that we can all chant along to at concerts. What’s not to like? More razor-sharp riffing comes to us in “Age Of Steam” which attacks with all fists swinging. With meat n’ potatoes verses with the chug and pound the chorus goes straight for the throat, bites and never lets go. Great stuff indeed.
Another single, “The Pilgrimage”, is one heavy beast. It’s slower in pace, dark and with an eerie kind of atmosphere and a main riff that’s a little too close to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells”. There’s a slight nod back to “Crusader” – one of Saxon’s best songs as far as I’m concerned – too. The song is carried by a solid, muscular rhythm and holds some intense vocal melodies, memorable yet darkening. Brilliant, just brilliant. “Dambusters” on the other hand is a straight-ahead, no bull Metal belter, fast-tracked and concise, punchy, rowdy and direct like a punch in the gut. Not spectacular but a good pedal-to-the-metal rocker that will work live.
You want classic Saxon? Well look no further than “Remember The Fallen”. Like 1983 never went away, the song blasts away fast and loud with screechy riffing and thunderous rhythms and the song is here to kick ass and take names and to say “hey, we still think Power & The Glory is a killer album”. Because it is. Can’t go wrong with that, huh? Well, they don’t. Great tune. Continuing the uptempo route, “Super Nova” is an edgy metal-stomper with robust riffage and a balls-to-the-wall rhythm-section. The tune is a real face melter with thrashy guitars but also a contrasting slower and atmospheric breakdown in the middle. Yeah, good one.
The ghostly “Lady In Gray” is heavy on a slower note and comes of as a bit ballady but still riff-happy and hard-edged with darker undertones thanks to the ominous sounding keyboard. A bit gothic sounding with a brooding atmosphere the song also brings on some splendid melodies and a very memorable chorus. Great stuff. We get more of the fist-on-the-jaw, straight ahead Metal in “All For One”. It’s classic Saxon for sure but also Saxon on repeat with not all that much catchiness to it. It’s a deep track no doubt but it’s also easily forgotten and falls into oblivion pretty much as soon as it’s done.
“Black Is The Night” however is the direct opposite to “All For One”. First of all, it’s memorable as damn and secondly, it’s powerful, heavy and immense and holds a some terrific riffing on a steady, fist-in-the-air rhythms and also a down-beat mid-break which takes it to a more dynamic soundscape. Every melody is spot-on and the chorus sure hits pay-dirt right from get-go. Very good. They end the record with another classic Saxon puncher called “Living On The Limit”. It’s a speedy, short and concise powerhouse with some thrash flirtatious guitar-lines, smattering drums and an aggressive approach. Again, nothing spectacular but a good way to end a Metal album for sure.
It’s easy to state that Saxon still burns for their Metal and has no desire to slow down – and they’re still damn good at what they’re doing. You seldom end up surprised after digesting a Saxon album and while some might accuse them for doing the same album over and over, you can’t deny that they know how to write qualitative songs where the sheer love and passion always shines through. Why listen to this when you can listen to Denim And Leather, you might ask. Why not listen to both, is my answer. The only down-side, if you can call it that, is the production. It’s by no means bad but the fact is that Andy Sneap’s productions has become a bit samey as of lately. It doesn’t matter if you listen to Saxon, Judas Priest or Accept, the soundscape is pretty much identical and while I can understand that they feel comfortable with Sneap, it might be a good idea to try someone else just for a change. Otherwise, another damn fine effort by a classic Metal band.
7/10
More Saxon reviews:
Call To Arms
Sacrifice
Battering Ram
Thunderbolt
Tracklist:
1. Carpe Diem (Seize The Day)
2. Age Of Steam
3. The Pilgrimage
4. Dambusters
5. Remember The Fallen
6. Super Nova
7. Lady In Gray
8. All For One
9. Black Is The Night
10. Living On The Limit
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