JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 19/1/09

 

SAXON / INTO THE LABYRINTH

 

On May 21st 1979 a new British band called Saxon released their first, self title debut alum, 30 years and 18 studio albums later they are still going strong and  still pull a dammed fine tune out of the proverbial guitar bag.

 

The album kicks off in fine style with the epic “Battalions Of Steel” which is Saxon at their very best, the semi autobiographical “Live To Rock” is next and explo9res what Biffs could have been if it wasn’t for his love of the blues.  The Saxon riffs come thick and fast for “Demon Sweeny Todd” that tells the tale of the infamous London barber, (if only the musical of the same name had been as good as this).  There is a short atmospheric track call “The Letter” which leads nicely into the next epic “Valley Of The Kings” and see the band at their very best, it doesn’t get any better than this. The next track is Classic Saxon; “Slow Lane Blues” just confirms why I have loved what the guys have done for so long.

 

I could go on but I wont suffice to say there is not one filler song one here and all deserve your undivided attention, Saxon have never got the credit they so richly deserve and always seem to play second fiddle to Iron Maiden, I hope that this CD rectifies this in some small way.  Also listen out for the prophetic “Protect Yourself”, “Hellcat”, “Crime Of Passion” and the out and out bottleneck blues of “Coming Home”.  The first pressing come with a free DVD, featuring “Tour diary, “Live To Rock” video and audio interview with Biff, you cant call yourself a Metal fan if you don’t buy this fantastic CD, what a fine start to a new year..

 

WEBSITE      http://www.saxon747.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 50 mins + 13 TRACKS

 

 

KREATOR / HORDES OF CHAOS

 

Along with fellow German bands, Destruction and Sodom, Kreator have been consistently cranking out the Thrash Metal since the mid 80’s and I’m pleased to say that “Hordes Of Chaos” is no exception, if anything this they just get better.

 

I can back this statement up with the stunning opening title track, that has everything you have come to expect from a Classic Thrash Metal song that you have come to expect, “Warcurse” for instance, is so good, it could easily have been a Slayer song, yes its that good, better praise than that you simply cant get.  The standard of songs is so high that the band rival anything that Testament or Exodus have done, the riffs are second to none, the vocals are perfect for the genre, the rhythms are as tight and precise German engineering should  be and the guitar playing is exemplary, to put it simply it just doesn’t get much better than this.  Also listen out for the excellent, “Destroy What Destroys You”, “Amok Run” and the stunning “To The Afterburn”,

 

f you thought that 2005’s “Enemies Of God” was good, wait till your hear this, it will totally blow you away, album of the week if ever I heard one, this is another essential buy and sure to be one of the best of 2009 and its only January..

 

WEBSITE      http://www.kreator-terrorzone.de/ & http://www.spv.de/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 38 mins + 10 TRACKS