I don't know what it is with these NWOBHM bands, they simple won't call it a day and not only do I highly respect that, I also find it praiseworthy that bands like Judas Priest,
Iron Maiden and
Saxon with flying colours keep on holding the Heavy Metal banner high. Legends will keep on being legends but I surely prefer healthy living ones than those who sadly is no longer among us (give us that
Accept reunion damn it!).
Saxon's 2004 output is a tight and heavy thing called Lionheart, no fanciness, no copying the past, just well put together classic Heavy Metal delivered with firm precision and strong dedication. When I heard it the first time I was thinking that this is somehow just as I had expected it to be and yet it sounded fresh and inspiring.
The production is raw and transparent at the same time, and just like the music it hits hard.
There is no doubt that this is one of their heaviest releases, just listen to the pounding swift opener
Witchfinder General and you'll get an idea of what we are dealing with.
Lionheart sounds a bit like a continuation of their classic
Crusader track
, it has made it to my favourite piece on the album. The short intro sets the perfect bombastic mood and the amazing driving guitar riff sounds phenomenal. The contrast between real heavy guitars and soft melodic acoustic chords works like a dream.
On a more experimental front
Beyond The Grave sees the night, a dark shrouded mid-tempo track with some mystic guitar and voice elements and a deep mean bass, adding to the gloomy theme.
The quality of the guitar solos in general is remarkable high,
To Live By The Sword being a fine and furious example.
Jörg Michael has taken the place behind the drum kit and his performance is very strong and mega tight as it has become a habit from his side. I even think that his drumming could had taken up a more central and loose role in some tracks, but then again that has never really been the
Saxon way of doing things.
English Man´o`war nevertheless sees him complete a quite technical task, added an enormous amount of pure raw power.
Searching For Atlantis is one of best cuts of Lionheart, atmospherically combining hard rhythm guitars and a harmonious refrain. Biff varies his vocals quite much on this album and it helps give some songs their own special feeling.
Why not give this a really high rating then? A few things keep it from rising to a higher level:
- Lack of real amazing songs.
- A bit more diversity would have helped, I miss a couple of melodic rockers in the vein of Forever Free, Hold On and Ministry Of Fools.
- Flying On The Edge falls a bit flat; I find it a bit too simple and not really getting anywhere. Sure it grooves and bites but that's not enough for it to become more than a standard track.
Topic-wise this one has
Saxon written all over it; numerous historical adventures and the praising of honour and justice all seem to fit naturally in, nothing groundbreaking but solid enough.
Fact is that this disc has an almost youthful anger, energy and nerve; in short it just kicks ass.
Who said anything about getting old?
Written by
Tommy Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Show all reviews by TommyRatingsTommy: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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