SAXON were the leaders of the new wave of British Heavy Metal. During the 1980s, they established themselves among Europe's most successful Metal acts. This legendary group has sold more than 15 million albums and has played for hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. These men do not slow down, but continue to create heavier music with quality and full of energy. Plus they still tour regularly. The band is now releasing their new studio album “Carpe Diem”.
It all started 45 years ago, in 1977. Two years later came the self-titled debut album, followed by "Wheels of Steel" (1980) and then they got their breakthrough. Many concerts and long tours were made. At the same time, new material was written and record after record was released shortly after each other. SAXON's fourth disc saw the light of day the following year. ”Denim and Leather” (1981) was a big success, with songs such as ”Princess of the Night”, ”Never Surrender” and the title track itself, which is regarded as a Metal anthem. 1983's ”Power & the Glory” became their best-selling album. It has become over twenty studio productions and their latest was ”Thunderbolt” (2018), which I thought was better back then, four years ago. It had a harder and more modern sound. The new ”Carpe Diem” is much better and of course does not sound old-fashioned at all, but is something in between and at the same time fresh. It is full of speed and bite and will surely appeal to many new listeners as well.
The band consists of Peter “Biff” Byford (vocals), Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt (guitars), Tim “Nibbs” Carter (bass) and Nigel Glockler (drums). From the beginning, Biff was going to call the new material ”Pilgrimage”. Then he and his wife went on a trip to north of England. They visited the Roman wall, Hadrian’s Wall, which stretches across England. When the couple explored the forts and castles, Byford kept seeing this carpe diem thing everywhere and he thought: “What a great idea for an album title”. Inside the album cover I read ”numquam deditionem”. Those Latin words mean ”never surrender”, which is not only a song title from one of their first works, but fits very well into the atmosphere of the new record as well.
All lyrics are written by Biff Byford. On background vocals we find his son Seb, with whom he formed the group HEAVY WATER last year. Producer Andy Sneap has made sure that ”Carpe Diem” does not lack an ounce of grit or sharpness. He manages to get the intensity and a good sound. SAXON tries to keep their British Metal guitar sound, which they once created. I must say that they succeed very well. The title track ”Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)” has a very nice introduction. It sounds like movie music, followed by bouncing drumbeats. Then the song starts quickly and an extraordinarily wonderful hardrock scream is heard. The piece also contains a nice guitar solo.
The very good song ”The Pilgrimage” has a bit calmer tempo and is atmospheric, especially during the intro, where guitars and drums are building up gradually. In the middle of the track a lovely, thumping bass is heard and an acoustic guitar first, followed by an electric one. The playing on the strings is fantastic. Drummer Glockler fills in and steps up this very fine part. The lyrics is about us human beings, searching for the meaning of life. ”We look for something to show the way”, which can be anything or different things.
”Remember the Fallen” has incredibly good lyrics. It touches me deeply because it is contemporary history, which we all recognize ourselves in. This piece is about the pandemic, so it is not even history yet, but is still the reality we live in. Along with awesome good music, for example a thick guitar sound, this becomes a superb composition. ”I wanted to write a song about Covid, about the people who have died, and give my opinion on how it seemed to have happened”, says Biff Byford. ”Some aspects of it all are pretty mysterious, and of course it has not come to an end, has it? We should all remember that the first round of people who died did not really know why, because there was no information.” My interpretation is that it is a tribute to the heroes who try to help others, as well as to all those who tragically are no longer with us.
Interesting and a bit varied is ”Lady in Gray”. What the string instruments deliver is heavy. The middle of the song is softer. ”All For One” pumps on at a brisk pace and the heavy ”Black is the Night” contains swinging Metal. The last mentioned also has a melodic solo, performed with a nice feeling. Additionally, Nibb’s bass playing is both cool and strong.
During 2022, SAXON plans to play at festivals, which have been moved forward for two years, plus they are considering going to America. The band will also tour in Europe and just like everyone else, they keep their fingers crossed that everything will work out, so that the concerts can be carried out.
SAXON has a timeless sound and is always good, also live. The band and their music have always been, still are and remain so cool. These fellows are not that complicated, they just are who they are. The new record has a steady quality and is all through good. Those bouncing drumbeats are fantastic, the singer has a great voice and thanks to two guitarists, it sometimes becomes a magnificent experience. ”Carpe Diem” contains music filled with energy and a heavy sound, which is tied together into a powerful unit. (Anna)
Bewertung:
8 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 10
Spielzeit: 44:15 min
Label: Silver Lining Music
Veröffentlichungstermin: 04.02.2022
