Fretplay.com Saxon CD reviews Saxon guitar tabs Saxon CD reviews Saxon tabs Into The Labyrinth


Saxon - Into The Labyrinth Audio CD

A fair review of the Saxon "Into The Labyrinth" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Saxon reviews here, or go back to the Saxon tabs.

Saxon Band: Saxon
Title: Into The Labyrinth
Rating:
Release Date: 2009-01-13
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Battalions Of Steel 2: Live To Rock 3: Demon Sweeney Todd 4: The Letter 5: Valley Of The Kings 6: Slow Lane Blues 7: Crime Of Passion 8: Premonition In D Minor 9: Voice 10: Protect Yourselves 11: Hellcat 12: Come Rock Of Ages (The Circle Is Complete) 13: Coming Home (bottleneck version)

Still going strong!
It's the band's 18th studio album, and the latest in a run of high caliber heavy metal albums that has seen Saxon in their finest form since the original New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. Into the Labyrinth is the latest offering from British heavy metal icons Saxon. After weathering the tumultuous 90's and the acrimonious departure of long time members Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson, Saxon has spent the better part of the last decade recording one powerful metal album after another, and Into the Labyrinth is no exception.

As soon as I heard opening anthem "Battalions of Steel", I knew that the Saxon sound from Lionheart and The Inner Sanctum is still going strong. It's an incredibly heavy album, yet one that is also highly melodic. Songs like "Valley of the Kings", "Come Rock of Ages (the Circle is Complete)" and the aforementioned "Battalions of Steel" have a sense of epic and grandeur that rivals most recent Iron Maiden offerings, but unlike Maiden Saxon has retained a measure of that gritty, original NWOBHM sound that gives the songs a more aggressive, harder rocking edge. Even the more mundane offerings like "Slow Lane Blues" and "Crime of Passion" are still hard hitting and still have that "Denim and Leather" sound. A lot of that is due to Biff Byford's instantly recognizable voice, which somehow always manages to sound powerful and fragile, rough and majestic all at once. Into the Labyrinth closes on a bluesy note, with a slide guitar version of the Killing Ground song "Coming Home", but that's about the only laid back moment to be found here. The album is so energetic and vital that it puts most albums from their younger peers to shame.

There are precious few bands from the original NWOBHM scene that are still going strong, and even fewer whose new albums rival their classic 80's material in terms of pure quality and energy. Saxon does that and more with Into the Labyrinth. Long time Saxon fans should find this to be another worthy album, and newcomers are about to find out what they've been missing!.


They Haven't Lost a Step!!
The latest disk to drop from this underrated band is simply awesome. I'm still not sure why Saxon has never been able to make a splash in the United States? From their self titled release almost three decades ago up to "Into the Labyrinth" Saxon has produced some great rock n' roll. Byford's vocals sound fantastic, at times launching into a vocal range only Rob Halford of Judas Priest can match, down to a gutteral growl that will remind you of Brian Johnson of AC/DC.
The guitar work by Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt covers everything from 80's hair metal screech to a driving growl similiar to what you will find on Saxon's "Killing Ground" album. Nigel Glockler once again takes control of the percussion, and drives most of the tunes found on "Labyrinth" with an almost urgent rhythm.
Give the opening track "Battalions of Steel" a listen and you will be amazed at how the band sounds. Solid, crisp songwriting, no studio enhancement, just good old rock n' roll, played well. That's kind of a novelty itself these days. . . . and well worth investing in.


Saxon - Never-ending Kings of Metal
Had the chance to perform and hang out with them in VA - what a great bunch of guys. Never been disappointed in ANYTHING Saxon has done. Some songs are heavier than the typical Saxon, which I love. . . God bless Saxon! Cat, Black Widow USA.


into the labyrinth
Not a single song to remember. This has to be their worst(or second to worst) release ever.


As usual: very good album !!!
As usual the heavy and clear Saxon's sound ! The track 1 and 5 are dynamite. Very good album. Good riff, heavy guitar, solo duet, and of course nice voice. No complain, one more fantastic album to the Saxon Saga.


You can see a complete list of all Saxon discography, or go back to the Saxon tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]