So far, Saxon’s industrious career in metal has essentially unfolded in three stages. In the first of these they released eight albums of note, between 1979 and 1986. The first five in particular were awash with enduring gems such as Wheels Of Steel, Princess Of The Night, 20,000 Feet and Strong Arm Of The Law. Then came the ninth, 1988’s Destiny, a soft-boiled misstep that sounded very much like the band’s last-ditch attempt to sell enough records to appease their label EMI, shortly before they were dropped. We’ve been in Stage Three ever since, with Biff Byford and co. presumably abandoning any dreams they might have of Beverly Hills mansions, and instead revelling in the brute force of traditional heavy metal, plus the major consolation prize of everlasting respect over riches. Brilliantly, their approach during two decades when all around them was grunge and alt.rock was to keep calm and carry on, unapologetically firing
If the last couple of years have achieved anything, it’s to have reintroduced many of us to the joy of simple pleasures. As ever, that’s where Saxon come in. A reassuring and reliable presence in heavy music for over four decades, Biff Byford’s tireless crew would be an easy band to take for granted, were it not for their eerie ability to keep making great records like this, their 22nd studio album – or 23rd, if you include last year’s enjoyable, shambolic covers set, Inspirations.Not every recent Saxon album has scaled the heights of revered early classics like Wheels Of Steel and Denim And Leather, but Carpe Diem is plainly a keeper from the opening seconds of its thunderous title track. Admittedly, one might question the efficacy of seizing the day when people are still spit-spraying malevolent microbes at each other, but it’s a sentiment that suits Saxon perfectly, and it’s a typically bolshy slab of hard-