Saxon - Lionheart
2004 SPV
by Horatio

Quick Summary:
Biff and the lads are back, and unlike 1999's pathetic 'Metalhead' and 2001's average 'Killing Ground', have finally produced an album worthy enough to stand next to 'Power And The Glory' or 'Wheels Of Steel'.  Honestly I didn't think they were capable of such a feat twenty five years into their recorded career, the loss of guitarist Graham Oliver nine years ago a blow I thought they had never recovered from.  Somehow collectively Saxon have put together a consistent album with all the virtues of old school metal, with only a few clangers contained within.  Like Motörhead, Saxon appear to be improving with age, and this more than exceeds 1997's 'Unleash The Beast', which I don't believe to be as classic as many others do.  Whether it tops 'Altar Of The Gods' is questionable, although 'Man And Machine' made me feel like jumping through my living room window and running deranged down the street nude. 

The song titles alone indicated a classic metal affair and for once I wasn't letdown, as 'English Man O War', 'Witchfinder General' and 'Lionheart' all contain the riffs and speed expected, in many ways making a mockery of Maiden's last album.  Why?  Saxon know how to keep it simple.  The songs are never too long, with immediate hooks and riffs, the sort of short, punchy metal Maiden gave up on after 'No Prayer For The Dying'.  Only the plodding 'Searching For Atlantis' and 'Flying On The Edge' weaken the album, both the final two tracks, a factor which does much to dampen a powerful album.  There are still hints of the forced, downtuned style that ruined 'Metalhead', notably 'Beyond The Grave', but thankfully it's the only such moment and nowhere as diabolical as 'Piss Off'.  Biff's in fine form for a sixty year old and the tandem of Quinn and Scarrat must have been tortured to have invented some of the riffs they unfurl at the listeners.  Bottom line is Saxon have won me back after some years in the wilderness, finally delivering a traditional metal album which reaffirms my belief in metal.  That it took an aging legend to do it proves how little metal has progressed since the 80's.  It's still the classic bands keeping the spirit alive.  Nice one Biff. 

Website:  www.saxon747.com

Song Summaries:

1. Witchfinder General - Biff pays tribute to the long forgotten NWOBHM act of the same name.  'Zeeb, what a vocalist' drooled Biff when questioned about the songs content.  B+
2. Man And Machine - The age old struggle continues.  Man vs. machine, robots taking over sectors of technology, forming their own factions to dispose of mankind.  Udo is well aware of this.  A+
3. The Return - One minute plus intro with overtones of Lord Of The Rings and those two gay hobbits Pip and Mary or whatever their names are.  C
4. Lionheart - Biff rewrites 'Crusader' for the new millennium, maybe even better.  It might not eclipse 'A Little Bit Of What You Fancy' or 'Bad Boys (Like To Rock And Roll)', but this might be the essential metal track of the decade so far.  A+
5. Justice - Hint's of 'Metalhead', but not as offensive.  B
6. Beyond The Grave - Biff's ode to the afterlife.  Acceptable, but the dour melody lines drag the song down.  B
7. Jack Tars - Acoustic medieval interlude with Biff singing an ode to Jack Tars and his adventures on the high sea.  B
8. English Man O War - Which leads into this escapade about war on the waves.  Biff cuts it old school metal-wise as the lads go down in a blaze of glory, Nibbs Carter the new boy reaching his 47th last week.  Congratulations dude.  I'm at conflict with myself as to if this betters the whole 'Innocence Is No Excuse' album, but when you think 'Back On The Streets', 'Give It Everything You've Got', 'Everybody Up', 'Gonna Shout', 'Broken Heroes', 'Raise Some Hell' and 'Rock And Roll Gypsy', 'Lionheart' qualifies as an F.  A
9. To Live By The Sword - Tales of the Shogun and the 'code of honour' and the 'way of the warrior', leading me to believe Biff's been watching too many Sho Kosugi films.  Right now there's some Mongrel Mob member headbanging to this somewhere, Lion Brown in one hand, board with nail in the other.  'Fuck bro we don't goes for that hip hop eh man?  Fuckin' heavy metal man, when's Pantera coming back?'  A
10. Searching For Atlantis - Biff's been watching too many Disney films.  Some big riffs but nothing worth listening to more than once.  Maybe my praise for this album was excessive.  Like 'Youthanasia', it would have worked as a six song EP.  It reminds me of the day 'Youthanasia' came out, and an exhaustive day long listening session was held in the bedroom, notes taken akin to a lecture, before it was decided that six songs made the cut.  I cannot confirm if 'Victory' was one of them.  C
11. Flying On The Edge - Hoary old crap about the band sitting on the runway stranded on the as they struggle to make the gig in Deutschland on time due to inclement weather.  Of course they make it, 'metal through the air' as the crowd sits motionless as the band run through 'Princess Of The Night' and '(747) Strangers In The Night'.  B-  

Average Song Rating:  B
Overall Album Rating:  D

Also be sure to read:
Saxon - Denim And Leather Quick Review by Horatio
Saxon - Forever Free by Horatio