SAXON - Call To Arms (Album)
Militia Guard Music - 6th June 2011
 With Biff Byford suggesting that Call To Arms “....is
probably the best album we’ve written and recorded in the last 20 years”, there
was certainly an aura of great anticipation around the release. Something
which excited me further was reading that this album had been co-produced by
none other than Mr Toby Jepson, lead singer of Little Angels and a personal
idol of mine. So when it came to reviewing the album, I was certainly hopeful
that it would live up to expectations.
From the heavy guitar riffery which dominates the album
opener ‘Hammer of the Gods’, it is evident that Saxon have adopted a back to
basics, balls to the walls approach. Combined with this, an anthemic choral
line will have the crowds hanging off every word at live shows. From an
entirely selfish point of view, I love to hear a strong, squealer of a solo and
it arrives with perfect timing to cement this track as being one of the
standout songs on this album.
Title track ‘Call To Arms’ is a typically British rock
ballad, interweaving the lighter elements of verses and heavier charm of choral
sections. In direct contrast to this, a double-foot, blistering riff frenzy
found in ‘Afterburner’ is by far the most ferocious on the album and showcases
Saxon at their very best. At times I had déjà-vu of Freewheel Burning with some
of the lyrical arrangements; however this is a blinding creation and will get
the juices flowing for fans worldwide.
Overall, ‘Call to Arms’ stands up as a quality, relevant and
exciting release for 2011. If Saxon are able to continue in this vain, then
they may get their chance to rise to the very top once more. At times, the
lyrics are a little hit and miss; relying on simple rhymes to move through the
verses, but the band should be proud of what they have created here. It is also
worth noting that keyboard legend Don Airy casts his prowess over ‘When
Doomsday Comes’, which is superb.
Get pre-ordering now, as you will not be disappointed!
8/10
Review by Dan Balchin
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