I still can’t understand how one of the
original NWOBHM bands Saxon
can be still rocking after more than thirty years with a string of classic
metal albums that helped define the genre and yet they still don’t
get the accolades they deserves. Saxon has always pushed forward and has
never been a band to worry about what the critics have had to say! The latest
Saxon offering ‘Into the Labyrinth’ is certainly a strong release
from one of the world’s legendary artists! Saxon is continuing their
hot streak with ‘Into the Labyrinth’ which follows previous
rockin’ albums such as ‘Lionheart’ and ‘The Inner
Sanctum’. ‘Into the Labyrinth’ is definitely a great step
forward from ‘The Inner Sanctum’. Very much a pure metal album
and with all the ingredients we have come to expect from these metal masters.
The new album certainly deserves placement in Saxon's upper tier of releases.
Examining the track list, one will not only hear staples of the Saxon sound,
but also an album that balances variety with start-to-finish flow. Saxon
is one of the few bands that added a heavier element later down the road
(and kept the old sound too) and made it work. ‘Battalions of Steel’
and ‘Valley of the Kings’ are, the epic-sounding ‘Demon
Sweeney Todd’ is, hands down the album's definitive metal scorcher
and ‘Hellcat’ follows close behind. I really love that Saxon
are one of those metal bands who branched out into the blues and lighter
side of rock and I have always thought it was great that the fans allowed
that! Tracks like ‘Slow lane Blues’, ‘Crime of Passion’
and ‘Coming Home (Bottleneck Version) which showcases the bands lighter
more blues influenced side, ‘Into the Labyrinth’ is an album
which is for all fans of the band no matter if you were listening to Saxon
in 1986 or 2006 this is up there as one of the bands finest albums to date
and is worthy of any true metal fans CD collection. ‘Into the Labyrinth’
is Out Now via Riot Entertainment / SPV grab your copy now!
Battalions Of Steel
Live To Rock
Demon Sweeney Todd
The Letter
Valley Of The Kings
Slow Lane Blues
Crime Of Passion
Premonition In D Minor
Voice
Protect Yourselves
Hellcat
Come Rock Of Ages (The Circle Is Complete)
Coming Home (Bottleneck Version)
Rating: 85
Reviewed By: Cameron Edney
- http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints |
