Saxon – Into The Labyrinth (Release Year – 2009)
When I received the news of a new Saxon CD coming out last fall, I put “Into the Labyrinth” onto my must purchase list of 2009. Saxon’s last album”The Inner Sanctum” was one of my favorites of 2007. Needless to say, I have been anxiously awaiting this CD.
“Into the Labyrinth” has everything I would expect from a Saxon release. It has a good balance of power and classic heavy metal. Biff Byford and company do not reinvent the wheel with this release, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t want them too. Saxon’s sound hasn’t changed much over the years, and I am grateful that they can still put out a heavy metal album of this caliber.
Saxon has always managed to create some huge stadium anthems that always hit home with me. On Inner Sanctum, there was “Need For Speed” and “I’ve Got To Rock To Stay Alive”. On Into the Labyrinth Saxon has created some new treasures with the songs and “Live To Rock” and “Slow Lane Blues”. The fun doesn’t stop there though. “Into the Labyrinth” is full of headbanging good tunes that are likable on the first listen.
Saxon blasts out the quality metal with cool songs like “Battalions of Steel”, “Demon Sweeney Todd”, “Valley of the Kings” and “Crimes of Passion”. Paul Quinn shreds like crazy on this disc, and Nigel Glockler’s drum work shines on this album. He proves to be a very under rated drummer. Why don’t we hear more about this guy? Biff Byford is one of those great metal singers who’s voice has aged well. He hasn’t lost much if anything off of his voice, and sounds great once more.
These stalwarts from the NWOBHM have released the best new metal CD of 2009 so far. If you have been a Saxon fan in the past, this CD will not disappoint you. I believe Saxon has topped their last CD, “The Inner Sanctum”. Like a fine wine, this band only seems to get better with age. I can’t wait to see these guys at the Rock Gone Wild festival in 2009!
You can purchase “Into the Labyrinth” at this link. To preview songs from this CD, please visit the Saxon myspace page.
Recommended listening!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Battalions of Steel
- Live To Rock
- Demon Sweeney Todd
- The Letter
- Valley of the Kings
- Slow Lane Blues
- Crime of Passion
- Premonition in D Minor
- Voice
- Protect Yourselves
- Hellcat
- Come Rock of Ages (The Circle is Complete)
- Coming Home (Bottleneck Version)
Saxon is:
Biff Byford – Vocals
Nibbs Carter – Bass
Paul Quinn – Guitars
Doug Scarratt – Guitars
Nigel Glockler – Drums
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I agree 100%. this album is phenomenal! Crime Of Passion is the best track they’ve done in years.