’Lionheart’ is another platter featuring some
excellent, "updated" NWOBHM sounds from Saxon. Very steady
and strong, as has been the case since their 1997
creative comeback. This is one that grows and gets
better with each listen.
"Witchfinder General" is a
solid opener, "Man and Machine" has a tasty chord
crunch, and the building track "Beyond the Grave" is
accompanied by some good atmospheric singing, courtesy
of the ever-young Biff Byford.
Other highlights
include the strong and attacking "English Man o War,"
the razorblade muted chugs of "Searching for
Atlantis," and all of "Justice," "To Live by the
Sword," and "Flying on the Edge."
All told, this is
a fine release in the classic-metal mold, and a good
pickup for metal purists.
TRACK LIST: Witchfinder General/Man and Machine/The
Return/Lionheart/Beyond the Grave/Justice/To Live by
the Sword/Jack Tars/English Man o War/Searching for
Atlantis/Flying on the Edge