It's been ages since I listened to Saxon consistently...and clearly their more recent stuff wasn't interesting enough the first time round for me to remember so I went back to re-listen. Also, I noticed I never reviewed their albums from 1985 onwards on here even though I promised Foro haha...well maybe I'll deliver this time round.
Anyway, here's my thoughts on The Battering Ram from 2015.
The Battering Ram - Ok rock, some weird guitar thing happens around 3:08 that I think is just a mess-up but strange they kept it in there.
The Devil's Footprint - The spoken word intro was enjoyable (didn't feel original, then again, much of what Saxon does feels like they're a step behind Maiden), the voice actor reminded me of the stuff on Bruce's Chemical Wedding (it's not the same guy I don't think but he had nice delivery). Haven't looked up what the song is about but lyric-wise it made me think of Krampus which is scary/metal as hell so I approve. Music-wise a solid rock song.
Queen of Hearts - A very strange intro thing they did here, didn't like it (sounded like my computer was having trouble playing back the track but then I realized it was part of the song, that's shite). I guess it's Alice in Wonderland-based. The lyrics are fairly ok, kind of fun they made a song about chess more or less. I quite enjoyed how dark they made this, best of the three songs so far on the album.
Destroyer - Another rocker, lost interest about 3 seconds in. It's the kind of thing Priest is known for, and better at.
Hard and Fast - More interesting riffs than Destroyer but basically the same kind of song.
Eye of The Storm - At this point, wondering if the band is tired of it all and have run out of ideas...'no escape from the eye of the storm' really? How is this a line? You do realize the eye of the storm is the calm bit?
Stand Your Ground - The opening lines "If you're feeling weak and near defeat And your will to succeed slips away" is about how I felt at this point of the album. Tandem guitar riff at around 2:00 was kinda neat. There's also a refreshing keyboard section. Kind of wish the nice bit in the middle was on a better song. The chorus and main riff are just so boring.
Top of the World - Best intro riff so far? Correction, most enjoyable melodies so far.
To the End - This song is about the end. I hope it is. If nothing else because Biff sounds tired and as if his voice is about to give out on here.
Kingdom of the Cross - Enjoyable spoken word intro again. But I'm starting to wonder if it's because Biff's voice is so tired-sounding. It's more interesting certainly than most of the rest of the album. But does it need to be 6 minutes long?
Three Sheets to the Wind (The Drinking Song) - So at a certain age (which Saxon is at), there's nothing remotely cool or interesting or anything but pathetic about a drinking song that's about how pissed they were and couldn't walk. You know what I'm saying? We all know the 50 something that's hanging out at the bar that's embarrassing himself/herself. It's sad is what it is. I realize Saxon wrote a song and it's for everyone and all that but Biff's tired voice evokes nothing but that pathetic old person that should be sipping port and tucking in early instead honestly. Utter shit, I give this song 5 turds:
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I didn't read NP's review on purpose before I listened but after I did look. Basically I think we can both agree this is not one of their better efforts. Biff's voice is not the only thing tired about it.
Anyway, here's my thoughts on The Battering Ram from 2015.
The Battering Ram - Ok rock, some weird guitar thing happens around 3:08 that I think is just a mess-up but strange they kept it in there.
The Devil's Footprint - The spoken word intro was enjoyable (didn't feel original, then again, much of what Saxon does feels like they're a step behind Maiden), the voice actor reminded me of the stuff on Bruce's Chemical Wedding (it's not the same guy I don't think but he had nice delivery). Haven't looked up what the song is about but lyric-wise it made me think of Krampus which is scary/metal as hell so I approve. Music-wise a solid rock song.
Queen of Hearts - A very strange intro thing they did here, didn't like it (sounded like my computer was having trouble playing back the track but then I realized it was part of the song, that's shite). I guess it's Alice in Wonderland-based. The lyrics are fairly ok, kind of fun they made a song about chess more or less. I quite enjoyed how dark they made this, best of the three songs so far on the album.
Destroyer - Another rocker, lost interest about 3 seconds in. It's the kind of thing Priest is known for, and better at.
Hard and Fast - More interesting riffs than Destroyer but basically the same kind of song.
Eye of The Storm - At this point, wondering if the band is tired of it all and have run out of ideas...'no escape from the eye of the storm' really? How is this a line? You do realize the eye of the storm is the calm bit?
Stand Your Ground - The opening lines "If you're feeling weak and near defeat And your will to succeed slips away" is about how I felt at this point of the album. Tandem guitar riff at around 2:00 was kinda neat. There's also a refreshing keyboard section. Kind of wish the nice bit in the middle was on a better song. The chorus and main riff are just so boring.
Top of the World - Best intro riff so far? Correction, most enjoyable melodies so far.
To the End - This song is about the end. I hope it is. If nothing else because Biff sounds tired and as if his voice is about to give out on here.
Kingdom of the Cross - Enjoyable spoken word intro again. But I'm starting to wonder if it's because Biff's voice is so tired-sounding. It's more interesting certainly than most of the rest of the album. But does it need to be 6 minutes long?
Three Sheets to the Wind (The Drinking Song) - So at a certain age (which Saxon is at), there's nothing remotely cool or interesting or anything but pathetic about a drinking song that's about how pissed they were and couldn't walk. You know what I'm saying? We all know the 50 something that's hanging out at the bar that's embarrassing himself/herself. It's sad is what it is. I realize Saxon wrote a song and it's for everyone and all that but Biff's tired voice evokes nothing but that pathetic old person that should be sipping port and tucking in early instead honestly. Utter shit, I give this song 5 turds:
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I didn't read NP's review on purpose before I listened but after I did look. Basically I think we can both agree this is not one of their better efforts. Biff's voice is not the only thing tired about it.
It's really sad if the verdict about the song is that they're too old for this kind of shit.
