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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Comments and member reviews
| Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Tuesday, October 12, 2004 |
Great review Tommy, my Saxon-Brother In Arms :)
Must say I agree with you on most counts; especially the youthlike energy is right on the spot. I too miss a couple of "hits" like e.g. 747, but on the other hand there's isn't a single album-filler (not even Flying On The Edge in my humble opinion).
All in all a very strong album, that surely proves that Saxon, the best liveband in the world, is indeed still going strong and a force to be reckoned with.
Saxon will take the roof off of Pumpehuset this Sunday...be sure to be there :)
Fill your head with Heavy Metal Thunder!!!
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| Comment by Ole Bach (Anonymous) - Thursday, October 14, 2004 |
The workingmen of metal has done a fantastic album this time very very heavy and not so boring than Killig Ground.And hear Biff just fantastic hope to se him in great shape in Pumpehuset .O.B.
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| Comment by Rock*Ninja (Anonymous) - Friday, October 15, 2004 |
I agree with you guys. This album is the natural progression I expected from Saxon, judging from the previous album Killing Ground and the interviews Biff gave following it.
Yet, just like Tommy said, it sounds fresh altogether.
Biff has sounded his love for Power and Metal and it shows in Lionheart, fortunately.
This is a very fitting move for Saxon and blends perfectly with their classic metal.
This is definetly one of their best albums ever, much better than Klling Ground. Hard, melodic and catchy at times, fast and heavy at others, and powerful throughtout. Increddible solos, riffs, drumming, singing (Biff pushes himself to the next level here) and chruses. The intros are great too.
My fav song is To Live By The Sword with its fantastic riff.
Overall a true ASS KICKER!
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| Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Thursday, October 28, 2004 |
You got it, Tommy - Accept is from this day on officially reunited with original line-up!!!
Fucking A...the best news I've heard in a long time. They are lining up a festival tour next summer (Wacken or Sweden Rock anyone, hell yes!)
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| Comment by Tommy (Staff) - Thursday, October 28, 2004 |
View Profile
Comments: 74 | | Hey Mads.
Yes I just read it; it's almost too good to be true.
Accept is without doubt one of the coolest and most energetic bands ever and I'm sure that they still know how to rock.
Tommy
RevelationZ Magazine
Posted by Tommy (Staff)
Thursday, October 28, 2004 |
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| Comment by Craig Hale (Anonymous) - Sunday, December 12, 2004 |
Nice review.
I'm a big Saxon fan and think 'LionHeart' is one of the their greateset achievments, but I do agree with most of your insights regarding the album.
If you have not yet, I implore you to see the band live - the new material comes across brilliantly and the band have the energy of twenty year old rockers!
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