- Nov 24, 2002
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As many know by now, the Saxon album coming out next September has no other than Jorg Michael on drums (replacing Fritz Randow who decided to separate from the band for a while) and the influence of Michael drumming is noticeable from the start. To some this will be annoying, more than ever since "Unleash The Beast" Saxon sound has a definitive Euro power influence. STOP IT before you say anything, I'm not talking about Rhapsody, so chill off will ya?
'Witchfinder General': the opener starts with a pounding double bass drumming that let you know that this is one of the big contenders for #1 album of the year. The song goes fast and heavy like Wolf mixed with Motorhead I'll say. The vocals are undoubtely the great Biff, and Saxon sounds so good, that my desdain for bands that had forget what heavy metal is about has increased exponentially. Hey come here and learn something you losers!
The solos are so beautifully old school that I feel oblige to go and kill some mallcore kids for polluting the planet
. This album is what we are for in the world.
'Man And Machine': Sounds like something out of "Unleashed The Beast" or "Killing Ground" but on steroids. The guitar riff is merciless and the drumming is relentless. Suddenly the change to a well crafted solo work with all the flavor of NWOBHM school. Long live the twin guitars bands.
Then Biff return to show that old means class (catchy chorus indeed).
'The Return': a short instrumental which starts soflty (to give the listener time to put Ben Gay on the neck after the headbanging) and keeps there to serve as the intro to the next song
'Lionheart': the title track opens from the previous intro with a perfect Saxon melody, Biff starts to mesmerize with the tale and the song turns to an epic atmosphere in the 'Crusader' vein, only faster. Damn I hear this one and is like 25 years on the road bullshit, this guys are as fresh as the morning dew. A lot of 'Killing Ground' spirit too, then after some Biff's screams (who's old here?) a bridge and to the solo. I close my eyes and let the music pour over me, nah this must be 1983 Biff returns to remind me that heavy metal never dies.
'Beyond The Grave': mid-tempo song goes with a deep vocalization at the beginning that jumps to a catchy bridge and the chorus. The lyrics are awsome, chilly tale in the vein of 'Circle Of Light'. Then a change of pace to a awsome melodic solo, pure passion and quality. Biff comes back to sing Is there anybody out there who's waiting for the sign guiding to the afterlife. Anybody there beyond the grave? The song continues at the same mid-tempo up to the end.
'Justice': by now there's no doubt that this a modern Saxon album (modern means is not from 1980, the music is pure heavy metal). Those afraid by my assurance of Jorg Michael influence as a power band can rest now knowing that is just an analogy. The song keeps the album flowing smoothly (Gimme justice, jusssstice. GIMME JUSTICE) in this well crafted song, where the classicism of the NWOBHM founds a fresh 21st century production (in the good sense).
'To Live By The Sword': no more mid-tempo, push the accelerator. The riff goes followed by an insane double bass to carry on a song that put to shame Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Death Angel and many other lately bands' efforts. It has more balls than Manowar, Majesty and King Kong together. Shit where these guys came from?, freaking speed killer. The song that worth the album for sure.
'Jack Tars': alright time off, a beautiful acoustic shorty. You can relax, take something for the whiplash and breath.
'English Man O War': break time is over, jump and scream for me!. A lot of good metal out there, many bands, but remember that England came first to the stage. The solos are so classic is spirit that this album hurts :tongue , is more than a rebirth, is like alright we have been playing metal for 25 years, now is time to kick more ass.
'Searching For Atlantis': some synthesizers geave a mood, while the guitars comes in crescendo and the drum kit starts methodically, like a clockwork. Mid-tempo goes with Biff voice developing, there's a majesty in the song that builds up into the chorus. Reminds me the most of stuff from "Killing Ground" except that the drum part is a lot heavier. What someone can call a filler (if something like that can exist on this album). Great solo work again, lots of melody and harmony.
'Flying On The Edge': like in "Killer Ground" the album closes (yeah I'm sorry this is the last) with a powerful riff, not very fast but tasty. Biff guides us to a classic chorus made to sing along live I bet. Now I know where Dream Evil took lessons in music
So much for originality, hey guys Saxon was here since 1979
Wow, is over not a single bad or weak song. Shit it went flawlessly. No need for the jury to retire, the case is clear want to know what is heavy metal? (especially for those idiots in forums making revisionism and trying to mix us with the mallcore crap) THIS IS THE BIBLE!
'Witchfinder General': the opener starts with a pounding double bass drumming that let you know that this is one of the big contenders for #1 album of the year. The song goes fast and heavy like Wolf mixed with Motorhead I'll say. The vocals are undoubtely the great Biff, and Saxon sounds so good, that my desdain for bands that had forget what heavy metal is about has increased exponentially. Hey come here and learn something you losers!
The solos are so beautifully old school that I feel oblige to go and kill some mallcore kids for polluting the planet
. This album is what we are for in the world.'Man And Machine': Sounds like something out of "Unleashed The Beast" or "Killing Ground" but on steroids. The guitar riff is merciless and the drumming is relentless. Suddenly the change to a well crafted solo work with all the flavor of NWOBHM school. Long live the twin guitars bands.
Then Biff return to show that old means class (catchy chorus indeed).
'The Return': a short instrumental which starts soflty (to give the listener time to put Ben Gay on the neck after the headbanging) and keeps there to serve as the intro to the next song
'Lionheart': the title track opens from the previous intro with a perfect Saxon melody, Biff starts to mesmerize with the tale and the song turns to an epic atmosphere in the 'Crusader' vein, only faster. Damn I hear this one and is like 25 years on the road bullshit, this guys are as fresh as the morning dew. A lot of 'Killing Ground' spirit too, then after some Biff's screams (who's old here?) a bridge and to the solo. I close my eyes and let the music pour over me, nah this must be 1983
Biff returns to remind me that heavy metal never dies.'Beyond The Grave': mid-tempo song goes with a deep vocalization at the beginning that jumps to a catchy bridge and the chorus. The lyrics are awsome, chilly tale in the vein of 'Circle Of Light'. Then a change of pace to a awsome melodic solo, pure passion and quality. Biff comes back to sing Is there anybody out there who's waiting for the sign guiding to the afterlife. Anybody there beyond the grave? The song continues at the same mid-tempo up to the end.
'Justice': by now there's no doubt that this a modern Saxon album (modern means is not from 1980, the music is pure heavy metal). Those afraid by my assurance of Jorg Michael influence as a power band can rest now knowing that is just an analogy. The song keeps the album flowing smoothly (Gimme justice, jusssstice. GIMME JUSTICE) in this well crafted song, where the classicism of the NWOBHM founds a fresh 21st century production (in the good sense).
'To Live By The Sword': no more mid-tempo, push the accelerator. The riff goes followed by an insane double bass to carry on a song that put to shame Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Death Angel and many other lately bands' efforts. It has more balls than Manowar, Majesty and King Kong together. Shit where these guys came from?, freaking speed killer. The song that worth the album for sure.
'Jack Tars': alright time off, a beautiful acoustic shorty. You can relax, take something for the whiplash and breath.
'English Man O War': break time is over, jump and scream for me!. A lot of good metal out there, many bands, but remember that England came first to the stage
. The solos are so classic is spirit that this album hurts :tongue , is more than a rebirth, is like alright we have been playing metal for 25 years, now is time to kick more ass.'Searching For Atlantis': some synthesizers geave a mood, while the guitars comes in crescendo and the drum kit starts methodically, like a clockwork. Mid-tempo goes with Biff voice developing, there's a majesty in the song that builds up into the chorus. Reminds me the most of stuff from "Killing Ground" except that the drum part is a lot heavier. What someone can call a filler (if something like that can exist on this album). Great solo work again, lots of melody and harmony.
'Flying On The Edge': like in "Killer Ground" the album closes (yeah I'm sorry this is the last) with a powerful riff, not very fast but tasty. Biff guides us to a classic chorus made to sing along live I bet. Now I know where Dream Evil took lessons in music
So much for originality, hey guys Saxon was here since 1979 Wow, is over not a single bad or weak song. Shit it went flawlessly. No need for the jury to retire, the case is clear want to know what is heavy metal? (especially for those idiots in forums making revisionism and trying to mix us with the mallcore crap) THIS IS THE BIBLE!
