Call To Arms LP

ldquoNineteen albums in andnbspSAXONnbspcontinue to showcase its art of doing no wrong. On CALL TO ARMS June 3rd 2011 SAXONnbsptakes a more direct approach to songwriting, maintaining a degree of variety within its trademark style parameters, but on the whole ending up a more compact example of melodic and classy traditional heavy metal and hard rock. The 11 cuts work as a representative career sampling in many respects, though more often than not are most representative of the meat and potatoes side of thenbspSAXONnbspsound. A great opener in the memorably riffed and catchy chorused Hammer of the Gods is followed by a big guitar, ode to the old days anthem callednbspBack in 79. Uptempo tracksnbspSurviving Against the OddsnbspandnbspAfterburner, as well as thenbspACDCesquenbspChasing the Bulletnbspare demonstrative of the bands nofrills heavy metal rock n roll delivery. The tough riffing and marching cadence ofnbspNo Rest for the Wickednbspdelivers in similar form. Melodic hard rock territory is entered onnbspMists of Avalon, while a title track that is distinctivelynbspSAXONnbspin its epic feel if not length, and the midtemponbspWhen Doomsday Comes Hybrid Theorynbspwith its mystical shades and a synth solo to boot, feature a different, though comfortably familiar side of the group. The way this album moves offers a freshness and energy about which most bands a 10thnbspSAXONs age could only dream.rdquonbsp Scott AlisogluBlabbermouth