Difficult to describe this album, not a return to form but more of a complete reinvention. This has no connection with the Saxon of old, aside from the vocal involvement of original lead singer “Biff” Byford. A totally new sound, harder, heavier and a vocal display of incredible proportions. 

“Witchfinder General” opens the assault and I mean assault, proper, full on Heavy Metal.  I for one have never heard Byford push himself so far. This is far heavier than, say “Innocence Is No Excuse” or “Crusader” and leaves behind the more commercial sound, Opting for a true, blue rock album. On first listen, I was gob smacked at the quality of the song writing and the enormity of the production; everything has been pushed to the max. “Man And Machine” is a classic driving number and crunches hard. 

Track 3 “The Return” uses a keyboard intro to set a dark haunting scene and segues into title track “Lionheart” which uses tempo changes well into a huge sing along chorus, this will be a huge live favourite. In fact most of this album will work well live, coupled with the Saxon standards, “Wheels Of Steel”, “Motorcycle Man” et al. 

Tracks 6 & 7, “Justice” and “To Live By The Sword” are superb and feature some killer riffs, both tracks epitomise the album with some great playing. “Jack Tars” is a strange acoustic foray featuring at least one vocal note which must have taken a huge handful of scrotum to reach.  

The album demonstrates a loose theme, as if the band had read Bernard Cornwell’s “Sharpe” series and, in my mind, conjures up thoughts of the Napoleonic wars, soldiers going off to battle resplendent in gleaming red uniforms. A bit off the wall, I know, my imagination can run riot sometimes. I’m further convinced that this is Byford’s best work on a vocal level and can’t be compared with the Saxon of the early 80’s. It is modern and mature yet heavy and appealing. I can’t wait to see the band live, the musicians assembled on this album sound youthful and fresh and could breathe new life into the classic back catalogue. 

To quote Biff from the seminal “Eagle Has Landed Has Landed” live album: “I thought That Were Fookin’ Fabulous”.

Let us know your views on 'Lionheart'

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

Line Up

Biff Byford - Vocals
Paul Quinn - Guitar
Doug Scarratt - Guitar
Nibbs Carter -Bass & keyboards
Jorg Michael - Drums