So after playing the album for a couple weeks here is a track by track account what I think.
1. Intro/Killing Ground.
A typical Saxon album title track. A medievil introduction, much like Crusader prelude, leading into a monster of a track. Killing Ground has a huge chuging riff and just has Saxon stamped all over it. This will obviously open the shows on the tour and will do the job brilliantly. The song isn't striaght forward metal all the way through though as it breaks down into a Nibbs Carter bass solo 2/3 of the way through. This adds another dimension to the track and it soon picks up again to rip your face off, top stuff!
2. Court of the Crimson King.
Saxon do Prog Rock! But they do it very well. This is Saxon taking a bit of a gamble and pulling it off superbly. The track contains some of the best vocal works I've heard from Biff and reminds me of Frozen Rainbow/Judgement Day/Refugee. A real touch of class from the boys.
3. Coming Home.
A great Saxon Rocker. Similar to R n' R Gypsy etc. A very immeadiate number that just gets better and better with each play. A possible future live favourite.
4. 'Till hell freezes Over.
A good staright forward track with a big sing along chorus.
5. Dragons Lair.
You've probably heard it already but, A brilliant Metal track. Fast and catchy with some great guitar work. Reminds me of a very good Ynwgie Malmsteen type track.
6. You don't know what you've got.
Another dig at GO/SD? A very groovey number which rumbles along at medium pace.
7. Deeds of Glory & 8. Running for the Border.
At the moment I find these the albums week points. Just average Saxon tracks. Saying that though average Saxon tracks are a whole lot better than most bands best tracks!
9. Shadows on the Wall.
This is now one of my favourite Saxon Tracks. The track seams to be based on the Bombing of Hiroshima and starts and finishes with the haunting sounds of children playing. The track goes from a very mellow gentle start before bursting into the heaviest Saxon have sounded with effects changing Biffs vocals. This then drops back into the mellow start and carrys on changing from heavy to mellow throughout the number. A real classic that stands along side Broken Heroes.
10. Rock is our Life.
It certainly is! Another anthemic Saxon track to round off the album in style. Another big sing along that could work well live.
All in all I'd give the album 4/5 and say it is a damn good one. The total heavyness of Metalhead has been left behind and the band have made an album similar in style to Forever Free and Dogs of War.
