Long-standing fans familiar with the so-called classic era of the band back in the eighties are going to adore the opening triple salvo of “Hammer Of The Gods,” “Back In 79” and “Surviving Against The Odds,” all of which stand proud as prime examples of archetypal Saxon doing what Saxon does best – rocking their hearts out, pure and simple.
Much of the album recalls Saxon’s past, but this is no exercise in dated, retro nostalgia. The band has simply crafted a fine set of songs with an instant familiarity, making the album feel like an old friend from very first play.
“Chasing The Bullet” is an AC/DC-meets-Krokus style romp built on a pumping bass line; “Afterburner” is a high speed metal attack somewhere between Priest’s “Freewheel Burning” and Saxon’s very own “Motorcycle Man” while the gigantic “No Rest For The Wicked” recalls the darker, heavier sounds Saxon explored on albums like “Metalhead” and “Dogs Of War.”
Of course, Call To Arms wouldn’t be a modern Saxon album without its moments of grandiosity. The title track is a poignant and powerful epic in the “Crusader” mold, and while “When Doomsday Comes” may owe a big debt to Zep’s “Kashmir” and Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers,” there is enough of an individual stamp to identify it as vintage Saxon.
A stripped-down, back to basics production allows the simple strength of the songs to shine and draws attention to the excellent individual performances. The rhythm section of bassist Nibbs Carter and drummer Nigel Glocker has a renewed energy, twin guitarists Doug Scarrett and Paul Quinn are delivering their best solos in years and the iconic Biff Byford is singing better now than at any point in his career.
Call To Arms is great heavy metal from a great heavy metal band. That’s all you need to know.
(released September 27, 2011 on EMI Records)
