SAXON

Into The Labyrinth

Steamhammer/ SPV/ CD 2009

There are the bands in the world we want to see developing all the time. They search for new ways, combine styles, set the modern standards to thrill our thirsty minds. They are needed, I agree, but would all that fresh streams of multi-categorized bands ever exist without metal trailblazers? Hands up who can imagine metal scene without Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Saxon, Judas Priest and some more which, have been adored since early eighties (speaking for myself). With my both hands down I have to deny. The other rhetorical question. Do we want the distinguished leaders to make their way towards musical experiments? No way! I cannot simply imagine that! Their place is on the dusty roads of metal taste, among roaring motor sounds, leather and steel.

After thirty years of rocking, Saxon is coming back with the new album titled "Into The Labyrinth", and I have to say that they are still in the very good condition. The stuff was recorded in Germany, in "Twilight Hall" studio. The album will be also available as a special edition with the DVD were you can find the video clip, some scenes form the tour and the interview with the Saxon's vocalist. Peter Byford claims that the music from "Into The Labyrinth" could be described as something between "Lionheart" and "The Inner Sanctum".

The opening song "Battalions Of Steel" as well as "Valley Of The Kings" are typical monumental, heavy-epics, with the beautiful chorus which put the hand on the listener heart, and you feel the wind in your hair, and have a vision of mountains spread wild. It is difficult to go forward to the next song. Play it again! Heavy rock song "Live To Rock" seems to be the guide line for the rock man. Maybe it is a kind of retrospection. Peter sings "when I was a boy, I didn't know what to do in life". From thousands possibilities he has chosen to rock. (And we should thank his for that!) "Demon Sweeney Todd" reminds me of the speeding riffs, straight from Judas Priest. This is the third song from the album, together with "Battalions Of Steel" and "Valley Of The Kings", which covers historic events. The 13th song which closes the album is a blues, which could be played in a filled with smoke pub, after midnight, to keep the guests in the mood, or just before the closing hour to remind them of... "Coming Home".

This mixture of heavy metal, rock, partly blues like tunes, is a proposal for everyone who enjoys to stop by the old, good, unchanging stylistics of NWOBHM, away from the vertigo of multi- cacophonous trends. Rule, Britannia! rule the waves!

9/12