"Send for the General, theres witches to burn" is the opening snarl from biff, after de-tuned guitars introduce the song in a sliding scale riff, which also makes up the chorus. Fritz Who? Jorg Michael on drums looks like he really wants this job on a permenant basis, ideal replacement. Prior to the guitar solo, there is a neat little bass riff, which when played live will probably turn into an extended solo while the rest of the band take a break. Song closes with bass riff to fade out.
Man and Machines, not sure what to make of this one. The song is about man spending spending money to break land/air/sea speed records. A Saxon guitar solo that could have come from anywhere on the "Power and Glory" album.
The Return is a synthed "Benedicine Monk" sounding sample which gradualy brings in an accoustic guitar and keyboards which build to greet Lionheart. A typically slow and heavy riff (a proper anthemic headbanger...) which also forms the chorus, breaks into a more upbeat riff. As for historical accuracies I'm not sure, but as one poster asked about how Richard the Lionheart would be portrayed here are the lyrics to the second verse:
"Your crown awaits you the chosen one,
Tell the people that freedoms come.
Light the beacons, ring the bell,
Sing you mintrels, theres tales to tell.
Send the message, across the land,
The King returns with sword in hand.
Law and order he will restore,
Evil journey will reign no more."
Solo ending with a thrashy little riff, a Saxon classic for the future.
Beyond the Grave has an electro-accoustic style opening, followed by one of the best Saxon riffs I have heard for a long time. Difficult to really discribe the overall sound of each verse, however I really like this song and its different pace throughout.
Biffs voice has been sounding at its best for the third song running on justice, really heavy addictive riff just before the solo on this one, not the best song on the album but by no means the worst.
To live by the sword, is after Witchfinder General the second heaviest track. The songs main riff is somewhat similar to Warrior off the Power and Glory album. I like the second chorus and the intense drumming which comes just before the main solo.
"Once was a Sailor, ship of the line,
Came to my duty, serving my time.
Far Far Away from you I must go,
Ne'er to return, I do not know.
If I return to tell you my tale,
I'll sing of Gunsmoke and Bloodstained Sails.
Stand by my shipmates, we will not fall,
Jolly Jack Tars, Brave men and All."
Sung softly over a medieval accoustic sounding guitar.
Another heavy riff introduces the up tempo English Man O' War. Guitar in this song has a similar sounding crunch to it that "Terminal Velocity" has.
Searching for atlantis opens with a riff fading in over ethereal sounding keyboards. A song yet to grow on me.
Finally "Flying on the Edge" has a slow heavy riff all the way through. A song about problems on tour, could quite easily be Running For The Border MkII though it builds to a really heavy end.
Metalhead it isn't, its probably overall a touch heavier and has less filler songs than that seemed to. It aint the Killing Ground either, there are no commercial "Hell Freezes over, or Coming Home" sounding tracks. Its a good job that this album is not out on tape or vynal as it would sound really disjointed with another break for turning over the tape or record.
However.... I like it. I like parts of it a lot, and I'm sure the rest will grow on me. At least an 8 out of 10.
, maybe you can write some sort of review...
