Saxon – “Carpe Diem”
Label: MILITIA GUARD MUSIC
Rating: 8/10
Review: Dawn Osborne
Saxon’s 23rd Studio album is full of huge amounts of energy and they have certainly not let Biff’s heart problems or Covid get in their way. If anything he has renewed energy being involved in the production and mixing of the record and having written a number of tracks from his hospital bed while recovering. It’s no secret that Biff’s a huge fan of historical themes which once again have inspired several tracks on the record.
Beginning with the inspirational rally cry ‘Carpe Diem’ Latin for Seize the Day and meaning make the most of every moment, one can understand the resonance of this for a man who has recently been forced to look at his own mortality. Set in Roman times in the territory now England, it’s good old school NWOBHM complete with a fast paced solo.
‘Age of Steam’ starts with an enormous riff and tackles the subject of the industrial revolution and the technological and economic consequences it caused. The solo has a piercing alarming quality and the unrelenting nature of the track certainly gets across that this was unmerciless progress at a cost.
‘The Pilgrimage’ starts off with a slightly mystical introduction similar to a Gregorian chant, before the track kicks in with epic themes of a quest reminiscent of the Crusades, but it has a wider theme of searching for meaning in life, even today. It’s slightly more pared back delivery showcases the heartfelt solo in a song about universal themes of human spirituality and self determination.
‘Dambusters’ as it suggests is a blitzkrieg of a metal track about warfare, specifically UK bombers on strategic Nazi targets. The pace is kept up with ‘Remember The Fallen’ with its historical reference to the World wars. ‘All For One’ explores the camaraderie and bravery of those fighting for a common cause. Of course these tracks seem less historical now and prescient as we contemplate the reality of war in Europe today. Holding more resonance now post covid and the tragedy of the lost lives in Ukraine.
There’s no let up with the relentless start of ‘Supernova’ about galactic events and the superb quality of guitar solos and the big riffs continue. We then come back to the terrestrial realm with “Lady in Gray” a song about a ghostly soul caught in limbo destined to walk the earth without rest. The whispering vocals and echoey solo complete a spooky picture.
‘Living on the Limit’ and ‘Black Is The Night’ round out an album that easily could have been written and performed by twenty year olds. One thing’s for sure you will die waiting for Biff & Co to mellow out. Thank god it’s not gonna happen. Even in his Seventies I can imagine Biff as a Berzerker style warrior running at the enemy terrifying them just by his terrifying presence. I don’t think they make em like this anymore!! Appreciate them while you still can.
Carpe Diem Tracklist:
1) Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)
2) Age of Steam
3) The Pilgrimage
4) Dambusters
5) Remember the Fallen
6) Super Nova
7) Lady In Gray
8) All for One
9) Black is the Night
10) Living On the Limit
Related Links:
www.facebook.com/SaxonOfficial/
www.instagram.com/saxon.official
www.twitter.com/SaxonOfficial
www.youtube.com/PlanetSaxon
www.saxon747.com
