It seems like the older they get, the more active Saxon gets. Hot off the heels of their killer live release, Heavy Metal Thunder - Live, as well as their documentary dawning the same title, Saxon forge into 2013 with their 20th release, Sacrifice. The boys are showing no signs of slowing down, on the contrary, they are just getting stronger. The band have been consistently recording and touring over the past couple of years and it appears 2013 will be no different. Poised to take the world by storm, with their new release, let's see if the band still has enough in the tank.
Sacrifice picks up where 2011's Call to Arms left off, once again proving that the band is showing no signs of slowing down. Actually, this CD steers in to a heavier direction than it's predecessor. The tunes are a bit faster and heavier, than the last one, but the melodies are still there. Songs like Stand Up and Fight and Guardians of the Tomb will have you singing along whist banging your head. It not all speed, there are some nice mid-tempo tracks like Walking the Steel and Wheels of Terror to balance things out. Actually the first half of the CD is uptempo and the second half is full of midtempo rockers. It is a nice blend.
Sacrifice is similar to the last album, in that it includes elements from every era of the band. I think this one, focuses a little more on the latter material, due to the heaviness of the CD overall. Never fear though, there are some classic moments, especially with the track Standing in the Queue, which hearkens back to the early 80's. Their are a couple shaky moments on the CD, but they are small in comparison to the whole enchilada. What can I say, another strong release from one of the greats.
Bottom Line: Saxon show no signs of slowing down. Byford and co. deliver once again. Solid songs and melodies, that get stronger with each spin.
Tracks to bang thy head to: Sacrifice, Standing the Queue, Walking the Steel and Stand Up and Fight
-Ragman can't wait for the boys to make it back to H-town.