Lionheart

Saxon

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Steamhammer Us
• ASIN: B0002I741S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,958 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Saxon are British through and through. Not only are they among the founders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that kick-started a new musical genre in the early Eighties, they’ve also upheld the theme of their native country in their lyrics as well as in their music for some 25 years. Pretty much the same can be said of every aspect of their new, haunting album, Lionheart. From their impressive songwriting with its powerful sounds and ambitious lyrics about witch hunters, King Richard Lionheart and the attitude of British soldiers towards war, to their striking cover artwork, Saxon unequivocally stand by their origins. At the same time, the band surrounding vocalist Biff Byford display an energy that’s almost physically perceptible. Byford rightly explains: "Lionheart is the most powerful album we’ve ever recorded."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars saxon's lionheart is the real deal!, January 18, 2005

By	James A. Pantano "jackthewhack" (beacon, new york United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

as a long time metal fan this release really made me take notice. saxon means business and they show no signs of slowing down. i really appreciate the musical effort saxon have put forth here with lionheart. its really great to hear this "old school" british-type of metal played with such gusto. vocals and rythym and lead guitars are superb as is the song writing/lyrical content and production. the recording is crisp and clear, no instrument overshadows another. and their new drummer is excellent. sure you've probably heard these beats tempos and riffs before, it all sounds a little familiar, but i imagine its difficult to be consistently original when locked within the confines of a particular style of music. but man, saxon really knows how to make it sound good! this isnt familiar and boring, its familiar and awesome! i thought after their last album "heavy metal thunder" where they re-recorded some of their greatest tunes (i loved this cd) that maybe the creative well had run a bit dry. hell-no! these guys are alive and kickin! i have listened to these guys for quite some time and i think this is one of their strongest releases. a highly recommended five stars plus!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shinin' Streamin' Gleamin' Flaxin' Saxon!, October 22, 2004

By	Stanley Runk "Runkdapunk" (Camp North Pines) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Metal veterans Saxon kick you right square in the rear with their new album, Lionheart. Though the last few albums were not bad by any means at all, this one is close to perfect. If you fear that Saxon, like fellow countrymen Iron Maiden have run out of steam and are hesitant about purchasing this album, I hope I'll lay your fears to rest, coz you have my personal guarantee(whatever that means to you) that this is worth every penny. Sure, there are one or two tracks that are a little lackluster, but I'm sure it can't be easy nowdays to make a metal album of nothing but five star songs. But even those songs are decent if not as good as the other 80% of the album. And it's not overlong either. Saxon obviously concentrated on making solid songs instead of a bunch of heavy metal claptrap to fill 60+ of cd space. Band hopper Jorg Michael steps in on the drums and he is more than welcome. From the band photo Bif looks as though he belongs in a rest home, but don't let that fool you coz he sounds better on this than he has in a long time.....probably better than ever actually! Guitar-wise, this one is heavied up a little more, but it's still Saxon, and any Saxon fan knows what to expect. It's really a shame that of all the NWOBHM bands, Saxon got the green weenie in the States. Personally I wish Def Leppard had been the band to get left behind. Oh well, Saxon lives on with their fans, and they have a steady following in other countries, so hopefully we will be hearing more albums like Lionheart in the future. You can bet your sweets that I'll get them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Saxon for Today's Metal Lover, June 10, 2005

By	Felixrox "Too much metal, NEVER enough time." (Beacon, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Having primed my metal pump with Unleash the Beast & Heavy Metal Thunder recently, I felt compelled to write a review on one of the truest metal stalwarts in the biz- the mighty Saxon.
To cut to the chase, this new offering from Saxon flat out kicks ass with blazing guitars, super production, & great songs. I know that may sound bland but I'll spare the adjectives- it's awesome! Yeah, there is a familiar feel to this, but that's why we love this band.
Having been a fan from the beginning glory days & watching them struggle thru most of the 80's you wonder why the hell they didn't do this album in 1988. U can blame the recording industry for that mess but the Saxon boys of today don't give a damn anymore- they're gonna play it the way it should be done.

A few of my favorites are Witchfinder General, the title song, Justice & To Live By the Sword.
Younger listeners- get out there & discover the roots of metal- you will be astounded by how well oiled this metal machine is.