Call To Arms [VINYL]

After hearing two tracks on the radio I was sufficiently impressed to risk a small contribution to the NWBHM (Yorkshire Branch) pension fund, and Call to Arms. What a fine investment! This sounds just like a really good Saxon Album (only a bit better!). Heavy and energetic, which should come as no surprise, but also full of original, distinct songs with immediate appeal.

This band that 'got me into metal' more than 25 years ago. Good on 'em for making me very happy again!

This is the 19th Studio album release by Saxon.
It is worth buying just for the orchestral version alone.
All the tracks are typical Saxon at their very best.
'Hammer of the Gods' 'Back in 79' and 'Call to Arms' stand out as works of art but there are no 'fillers' here.
If you like,or have ever liked Saxon then this album will not let you down.
The bonus CD is 7 tracks remastered from the 'Live at Donnington' Album.The sound is excellent but if you already have it then you could save a few bob and just buy the single CD version.
The artwork inside is inspirational and has a good booklet containing photos and lyrics.
I'd give it a good 9/10.

Amazin' every time you think you've heard the album of the year,another one comes along be it HEEP,NAZARETH or BCC,well here's another one.I've loved Saxon since 1980,followed them thru the highs(early 80's) and lows(late 80's/early 90's) and the resurrection(mid 90's onwards) and honestly this album ranks with any of their greatest,it really is superb,the production top notch,fantastic singing from Biff,the bass bubbles away in the background underpinning everything with a solid drum perormance from Nigel,while Doug/Paul treat us to some excellent lead guitar with some excellent lead solos,having listened half a dozen times now this easily ranks with the hey day releases of the early 80's for attitude,the fire still burns in this band,while the superb production reminds me of the commercial sheen given to Power and Glory/Innocence is no Excuse, two under rated discs.

Highlights ,well pretty much all of it,i believe this is the most consistent disc they have released in quite some time,although special mentions to,'Hammer of the Gods' which bursts forth from the speakers with tales of viking hordes,whilst 'Back in '79' reprises the days of Denim and leather,before my favourite track 'Surviving Against The Odds' rocks your world,this really should be the single,it could be Biff and the boys own story.

Further treats include the title track(both versions) with a sterling vocal from Biff,he really excells at this type of track, while 'When Doomsday Comes...' shimmers along a Zep like path with some splendid keyboards by Don Airey(he also appears on Mists of Avalon),then the Lizzy like opening of 'Ballad of the Workin Man' just exemplifies the class of the current line up.

The rest all excellent rockers of which 'No Rest For The Wicked' stands out thanks to another superb vocal,I cant praise this high enough,Saxon have surpassed my expectations ,they have consistently released great albums for the most part since the mid 90's,this exceeds that,this album could easily hold its own against any of the early 80's classics,Arguably their best disc for nearly 30 years,fantstic.