  
UDR/EMI
“Classics with a twist” is the banner for this release. That is a situation that can go either way – in the ditch or up in the sky. SAXON´s previous outing “Sacrifice” is the best they´ve done in years, but can they follow suite?
As “Stallions of the Highway” fills my ears I realize that this is a long time from the early eighties. That track, “Battle Cry”, “Forever Free”, “Frozen Rainbow”, “Iron Wheels” and the most benefitting track “Requiem” are the best on offer in my world. Do they have anything in common? Well, they are either acoustic or re-recorded. “Requiem” and most of the older songs also has a touch of the sadly missed Graham Oliver. But the orchestrated songs are really not refreshing, or even up to par. Nothing can revive “Crusader” as it is already a majestic track and “The Eagle Has Landed” is a mere shadow of its 80´s glory. Instead one of the most revered NWOBHM bands ever comes across as a Finnish or German band, anyone of many who they need not copy. I hope this is a one off, give us some real Barnsley metal instead!
Track List
Stallions of the Highway (Remix)
Crusader Orchestrated Version)
Battle Cry
The Eagle Has Landed (Orchestrated Version)
Red Star Falling (Orchestrated Version)
Broken Heroes (Orchestrated Version)
Call to Arms (Orchestrated Version)
Militia Guard
Forever Free (Re-recorded Version)
Just Let Me Rock (Re-recorded Version)
Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic Version)
Iron Wheels (Live Acoustic Version)
Requiem (Accoustic Version)
Coming Home (Accoustic Version)
www.udr-music.com www.saxon747.com
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