Album Review

Saxon - SacrificeSaxon – Sacrifice

Well let’s face it, when talking about heavy metal one of the icons that you must give a mention to is the everlasting legacy of British heroes Saxon. Whilst though they are one of the greats of the industry they’ve never quite cracked into the big leagues amongst the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath, they have released across their career a long line of consistently enjoyable albums with some catchy hits here and there. One of the pioneers of NWOBHM with some of the songs that would stand tall on compilation CD’s with “Wheels of Steel” and “Denim and Leather” but even with an arsenal of big songs and impressive albums which have gained them a very loyal following, it has never been quite as big as the icons of that time.

Well seeing as I also gave a bash at Saxons last output this time around I expected more as you would from every bands latest effort but I fear this is a band that has began to run on fumes, these tracks just don’t seem to be as feisty as one would expect from the standard usually set. I mean after the sheer length of their career and the ridiculous amount of songs they do have they were bound to run out of decent themes. I’m not knocking them though because Biff still belts out those vocals with authority, the production value if nothing short of fantastic, all the components are there as they always have been but I don’t know, maybe it’s because it’s becoming a bit stale or overplayed but this just doesn’t count for competition against their catalogue.

So all in all, more of the trademark Saxon sound which you cannot really go wrong with but it doesn’t stack up with their other releases; in 9 years time when people are talking about the legacy of Saxon I don’t think this one will be cropping up in many conversations, don’t have me mistaken it has its great moments but it is relatively short and not as impressive as past albums.

3/5

Review by James Webb

 Band Members

Biff Byford
Paul Quinn
Doug Scarratt
Nibbs Carter
Nigel Glockler
 Track Listing

1. Procession
2. Sacrifice
3. Made In Belfast
4. Warriors Of The Road
5. Guardians Of The Tomb
6. Stand Up And Fight
7. Walking The Steel
8. Night Of The Wolf
9. Wheels Of Terror
10. Standing In A Queue

 Band Related Links
Saxon Facebook
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?