If you're looking for anthemic songwriting and powerhouse vocal performances, the record delivers in spades. Comprised of members Biff Byford (vocals), Doug Scarratt (guitar), Paul Quinn (guitar), Nibbs Carter (bass) and Nigel Glockler (drums), "Call to Arms" finds the band in fighting shape.
It's been 35 years since Saxon was originally up and running, and the group can still easily hold their own with the headbanging competition. "It's important to keep one foot in the past and one foot very much in the present," says Byford. "At some points in your life, whether you're younger or older, you do have these wonderful periods of 'state of graceness' where everyone likes everything you write. But you can't keep being your own tribute band, you have to try and write great new songs, and you have to try to appeal to a younger audience. Saxon has been successfully doing that for the last decade, and the result is we still have our old fan base but we also have a whole new, younger one too."
Hardcore Saxon fans will surely be interested in tracking down the Digipack version of "Call to Arms", as it includes a killer bonus – a free seven-track CD, "Live at Donington 1980".
Saxon's "Call to Arms" will be out September 27th via UDR Music/EMI. The metal greats will be touring the US (with one Montreal show) in support of the album. Check out the dates below:
9-28-11 Key Club, West Hollywood, CA
9-29-11 Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa, CA
9-30-11 Avalon, Santa Clara, CA
10-1-11 The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA
10-2-11 Galaxy Theatre, Santa Ana, CA
10-5-11 Club Red, Tempe, AZ
10-7-11 Sunken Gardens, San Antonio, TX
10-8-11 The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
10-10-11 Foufounes Electriques, Montreal, QC
10-13-11 B.B. Kings, New York, NY
10-14-11 Jaxx, Springfield, VA
10-15-11 Bourbon Street, Baltimore, MD
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