Release Date: Mar 24, 2023
Discs: 1
“Nineteen albums in and SAXON continue to showcase its art of doing no wrong. On CALL TO ARMS (June 3rd 2011) SAXON takes 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 the SAXON sound. 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 called "Back in '79". Up-tempo tracks "Surviving Against the Odds" and "Afterburner", as well as the AC/DC-esque "Chasing the Bullet" are demonstrative of the band's no-frills heavy metal rock 'n roll delivery. The tough riffing and marching cadence of "No Rest for the Wicked" delivers in similar form. Melodic hard rock territory is entered on "Mists of Avalon", while a title track that is distinctively SAXON in its epic feel (if not length), and the mid-tempo "When Doomsday Comes (Hybrid Theory)" with 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 10th SAXON's age could only dream.” [Scott Alisoglu/Blabbermouth]
TRACKLISTING:
Hammer of the Gods
Back in 79
Surviving Against the Odds
Mists of Avalon
Call to Arms
Chasing the Bullet
Afterburner
When Doomsday Comes (Hybrid Theory)
No Rest for the Wicked
Ballad of the Working Man
Call To Arms - Orchestral Version
