Saxon have once again delivered an accomplished album that will happily suit old and new fans equally.
You know with a title like 'Battering Ram' that U.K. Heavy Metal legends Saxon have lost none of their thunder. This is the band's 21st album, which continues in a similar vein to its predecessor 'Sacrifice' – hard hitting Metal with a mixture of lyrical themes from history.
Saxon have always been a people's band and often devoted songs to the fans, such as 'Denim And Leather' or 'Never Surrender'. The opening number and title track continues in this vein, the lyrics are about the devoted Metal hordes at the front of the stage at shows, the music is a furious statement to match the lyrics.
This release is an album of two parts. You have the songs drenched in old-school Metal, full of crushing riffs and galloping drums such as 'Stand Your Ground' and 'Hard And Fast' or the title track itself. Producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Accept) has brought out a Metal sheen not heard since bands such as Accept and Judas Priest ruled in the eighties.
On the flipside Saxon always know how to inject a melody into their Metal, 'Top Of The World' is that stand out track with razor sharp guitar riffs, a sing-along chorus that's all played at the speed of a freight train.
'Destroyer' is stupidly addictive but lacks any lasting charm; it sounds like it was just added to fill up the album. Fortunately 'Queen Of Hearts' gets things back on track and is a song about Lewis Carrol's 'Alice In Wonderland'. It has an ambience with a haunting chorus, backed by some hard turgid guitar riffing from Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt.
'The Devils Footprint' touches on old stories of folklore and the music digs deep into the bowels of evil, accompanied by some eerie spoken word. 'Kingdom Of The Cross' continues the historical theme of war where David Bower (Hell) reads a poem through the verses, while singer Biff Byford sings the chorus. It is a track that delivers in spades.
To put it succinctly, Saxon have once again delivered an accomplished album that will happily suit old and new fans equally.
Ray Paul
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