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Saxon > The Inner Sanctum > 2007, 12" vinyl, Steamhammer > Reviews
Saxon - The Inner Sanctum

High Fructose Corn Sanctum - 68%

Tanuki, January 13th, 2018

So. Some sorry assemblage of smutty speed metal was sure to select the short straw as Lionheart's subsequent subject. Less of an album and more of a sacrificial lamb offered to a ravenous fanbase who had just finished gormandizing the 2004 masterpiece down to its last bit of gristle, The Inner Sanctum was predestined to be a quickly-digested disappointment. In the past I've judged some Saxon albums a bit harshly for the unpardonable sin of following (or even preceding) a much better album, so I'll attempt to judge The Inner Sanctum only by its own merits.

...In just a second. The year was 2007, and the fabled "return to form" album was becoming less of a rarity with each passing millisecond. One by one, veteran bands were having a shakeup and penning their "best album in X years" album. Mötley Crüe's Saints of Los Angeles, Megadeth's United Abominations, Helloween's Gambling with the Devil, no matter the genre, metal was rising from its ashes like a phoenix from the hood of a ram-air Firebird. Sadly, Saxon was early to the party again, having already commenced their furious return-to-form campaign ten years ago, too early for most people to care or even notice. Thus, by the time The Inner Sanctum waltzed in, there's an understandable air of complacency and a "been there, done that" template.

In a way, The Inner Sanctum is very similar to Judas Priest's Angel of Retribution, both in theory and practice. It appears to be a streamlined illustration of the band's paradigm, with just that tiny bit of emphasis on past-glory recital to keep old fans happy. The trouble is, it comes off too strong and ends up sounding like a complete self-parody. 'Need for Speed' and 'Empire Rising / Atila the Hun' still deserve inclusion in Saxon's ever-expanding roster of ballsout speed metal and historical epics, respectively, but with the caveat that they seem more like a caricature than their own entity.

Most drum rhythms define 'phoned in', which is somewhat justifiable as this is Glocker's first performance on a studio album in over ten years. What isn't understandable is how Quinn and Scarratt often take turns aimlessly whammying between verses, in lieu of any sort of memorable solo. The somnolent 'If I Was You' and fittingly-titled 'Going Nowhere Fast' are the worst examples of this. The oversimplified song structures and blatant instances of filler seem carried over from Metalhead or worse still, Dogs of War. Honestly, listen to 'I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)' and tell me that doesn't like an AC/DC tribute band warming up.

Despite my unpleasantries, there are of course high points to be enjoyed here. It's impossible to ignore 'Let Me Feel Your Power', a burly speed metal bruiser that sounds straight out of Motörhead's Inferno. And that's about one of the nicest compliments I can give to modern speed metal. This track is so searingly brilliant, in fact, that it would lend its title to a live album released nine years later. The opening track 'State of Grace' is another keeper; Saxon's trademark style of mystical, proggy NWOBHM is infused with modern power metal and makes for an engaging listen, even while breaking Saxon's unwritten law of no keyboards.

Subjective complaints aside, The Inner Sanctum is stymied by a subaqueous production and a notably brittle-sounding Biff. Not only is he less ambitious in his vocal lines, the timbre of his voice is missing a lot of the fullness possessed in earlier albums. Unfortunately I would recommend just about every 21st century Saxon album over this one, as I found it to be a bit meandering and unambitious for its inflated runtime. That said, you don't have much to lose by giving The Inner Sanctum a chance to prove me wrong.

Autochthonous - 85%

Felix 1666, October 9th, 2015
Written based on this version: 2007, CD, Steamhammer

First off, it was a very nice gesture to put "State of Grace" on the first position of the full-length. This pretty powerless and meaningless tune marks the only downer of "The Inner Sanctum". It is one of these songs which are naturally banished on the eighth or ninth position of a full-length. But with regard to the fact, that it is the opener, it does not hurt the flow of the album in a considerable manner. Only a small damage results. Anyway, it remains a mystery why the band chose exactly this song to kick off the album. Yet from an overall perspective, it does not really matter that they get off on the wrong foot. Let us move to the second track and regard it as the actual opening track of Saxon's 17th studio album.

The band convinces with a lively and energetic output. The songs possess the necessary amount of pressure and they are brewed in accordance with the metallic purity law. Saxon commute proficiently between relatively rapid eruptions like "Need for Speed", stomping mid-paced tracks such as "Ashes to Ashes" and they also have a fairly mild yet impressing tune ("Red Star Falling") in their repertory. Its lyrics deal with the political turbulence that finally led to the introduction of democracy in the former Eastern Bloc countries in 1989 / 1990. Saxon handle this issue in a very good and adequate manner with the result that this text stands in a more or less sharp contrast to the remaining lyrical content of the album. Songs like "I've Got to Rock (to Stay Alive)" display superficial lyrics, but this is no reason to cry. Biff is no preacher and these tunes offer other benefits. Casual or sometimes angry riffs, dynamic double bass drumming and the charismatic voice of Biff shape the easily comprehensible songs. In view of his slightly raw yet very expressive vocal performance, he appears as the prototype of heavy metal singers. Each and every word is well placed.

The experienced band also knows how to find the right balance between nonconformity and catchiness. For example, it does not take much time to internalize the compelling chorus and the main riff of the smoothly arranged "If I Was You" and some of the further tracks also impress with catchy parts. Nevertheless, this is not an album for the non-metallic mainstream, because the mostly sharp riffs dominate the sound. They also characterise the monumental closer "Attila the Hun", the second track that shines with ambitious lyrics. Kicked off by a brief atmospheric introduction, it is brilliantly constructed and does not fall behind the epic tracks of other heavy metal legends. And, by the way, its evocative vocals and the piercing cries underline the top form of Biff, who acts like the grand seigneur of heavy metal.

The fantastic artwork and in particular the vigorous production top off a very good record. Due to the fairly lame opener, it starts with a delay of five minutes. Yet the following offering is definitely worth the wait. Of course, those of you who prefer the most complex entertainment do not need to open their wallets in order to buy this album. But all of you who have a weakness for traditional metal that follows mainly conventional structures should look out for this album. You will hardly find many albums that reach the same level of maturity, authenticity and credibility without delivering metallic fast food. In other words, a likeable formation has proven its loyalty to heavy metal - what more can you demand?

Someone got to the Inner Sanctum a long time ago - 45%

Daru_Jericho, October 13th, 2008

Saxon have been around for quite some time and when any band has a lengthy discography, it can get tricky to retain fan’s interests and create something completely fresh. After four years, the band have finally put out some new material in the shape of The Inner Sanctum.

The album covers a fair amount of land, musically. The tempos differ, the drums can be over simplistic to highly creative and the heaviness varies from track to track. The opening song ‘State Of Grace’ is rather melodic compared the heavy metal that Saxon are accustomed to making. Needless to say, this track is not a sign of things to come.

This release serves as a reminder as to why Saxon were at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. While songs such as ‘I Have To Rock (To Stay Alive)’ clearly pay homage to the band’s earlier days, ‘Ashes To Ashes’ deals with a modernized sound. ‘Atila The Hun’ is the stand out track on the album. The instrumental ‘Empire Rising’ emanates an epic feel, working as a fine introduction to ‘Atila The Hun’. The drumming is explosive, the use of keyboards translates well into the track and a war like feel is conjured up successfully.

This album is wrestling between pure predictability and an effort to do what modern bands are doing to stay fresh. It leaves the band horrendously mixed up and exposes their lack of ideas. It is a typical Saxon album.

Originally written for www.rockbeast.co.uk

Still solid and heavy - 90%

Adalbertus, October 21st, 2007

Forget the legend! The note does not come from "it's Saxon after all" and blah blah blah, I give'em 90% because the record IS worth such note. And additionally, yes, the old classic band puts out another album, that's right. Most modern poser bands may just stand in shock and awe.

At the same time the CD is epic and rock and rolly, it has some gig feeling, and some battle, monumental moments. It makes a real worthy listen, because the listener doesn't get bored with the third song about the same, the lyrics vary and so does the music.

The opener "State of Grace" is a somewhat dark and mystic, but positive song, that resembles medieval Europe and its widespread Christianity. It begins with a Gregorian chant-like voice with clean guitar, and then distortion comes... It's rock, good and loud noise. This number is stuck at my head, I hope forever.

Then come two party-songs, "Need For Speed" and "Let Me Feel Your Power" - good old Saxon with modern sound. The ballad (very powerful) "The Red Star Falling" moves me not only for the music and lyrics, but for that my country (Poland) has itself been oppressed by the red star not so long ago.

But no stopping, here we go again, because "I've Got To Rock". And so it is, rock as hell, everyone just listen because THIS is how heavy metal should be like.

The end is epic, epic, eeepiiiic! "Empire Rising" as an intro, and then "Attila the Hun" - an 8-minute piece of destruction, war, fire and whatever else. If your head hasn't been blown off your neck, listen again!

Aaargh, a real piece of heavy metal, a metal slab to bang head against... Saxon are real masters, for they have been good 20 years ago, and now are getting better. I'm listening to them all day today, and eagerly wait for another CD!

A solid mix of past and present - 75%

Mikesn, April 22nd, 2007

From humble beginnings as Son of a Bitch to the recording of classic NWOBHM albums such as Wheels of Steel and Denim and Leather, to attempting 80's hard rock, to experimenting with German power metal in the later days, British metal band Saxon has come a long way. They've released a few good albums, a few mediocre albums, but the band is generally regarded as one of the strongest New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts both today and back in the musical movement's heyday. Now in their 31st year of existence (my, time sure flies), Saxon doesn't really have much to prove. But does that mean they're just going to sit back and coast through another four albums? If The Inner Sanctum is anything to judge by then, no, the Barnsley rockers still going strong.

So what type of musical direction does Saxon take on The Inner Sanctum, the band's eighteenth studio album? To tell the truth, the record is somewhat of a combination of old and new. The razor German power metal sound of Lionheart mixed with the fun, hard hitting NWOBHM sound of Wheels of Steel. Unsurprisingly enough, this stylistic combination works out quite well, with the aggressive, melodic nature of the former compliment the raw, classic elements of the later influences. Particularly effective is the band's frontman Bliff Byford. For the most part, Bliff sounds like either Helloween vocalist Andi Deris (see State of Grace), Grave Digger vocalist Chris Boltendahl (Let Me Feel Your Power), a combination of both (Ashes to Ashes), or, well, classic Bliff Byford (Going Nowhere Fast). Despite his age, Byford still delivers stunning wails, screams, sung moment, and really, anything else one would expect him to do. He will never be considered one of the genre's better vocalists; however, he always delivers an excellent performance throughout the album.

At 5:37, The Inner Sanctum's opening track State of Grace would be one of, if not the finest tracks on the album. After about a quite minute long intro which helps create suspense and interest in the music, the song morphs into a Helloween influenced piece of work. It's not quite as savage sounding as Let Me Feel Your Power or Atila the Hun and not quite as catchy and anthemic as the likes of Going Nowhere Fast or I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive), but the song still packs quite a punch with its mystical feel. Atila the Hun, the album's epic at over 8 minutes as another superb track in which each of Saxon's five man line-up proves his worth, especially guitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt, who's sharp, duelling axe work would put many of their contemporaries to shame. However, three of The Inner Sanctum's middle tracks, specifically I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive), Red Star Falling, and Going Nowhere Fast are not the strongest songs Saxon has ever crafted. Fans of the English band's mid to late 80's works will probably enjoy them, as they're quite similar. However, to me they seem more like weak filler tracks and somewhat disrupt the flow of the album. While they do not necessarily kill The Inner Sanctum, as the rest of the tracks are excellent, I just cannot give the album a higher score because of them.

With that said, The Inner Sanctum is a very good record from a very underrated band. With album number eighteen Saxon definitely shows that their age has not caught up with their music's quality, nor will they coast aimlessly through the rest of their playing days. With songs such as Need for Speed and If I Was You the British band puts forth efforts which reflect its past sound and its present sound. Really, if you're a fan of Saxon, or any other similar band, The Inner Sanctum is an album you'll want to pick up. It's that good.

(Originally written fro Sputnikmusic)

Saxon - The inner sanctum - 70%

Radagast, April 3rd, 2007

Saxon are the definition of a band you can count on, lately anyway. After that ill-advised mid-period spent chasing the Def Leppard gravy train, the English veterans have made something of a miracle recovery, and since 1997’s ‘Unleash the beast’ have been on a remarkably solid run of releases that now reaches number 5 with ‘The inner sanctum.’ Since forsaking the pursuit of commercial appeal, the band have taken considerable influence from the German power metal scene. Blending this with their classic NWOBHM beginnings Saxon have found a new style that essentially produces 3 types of song – the old-fashioned hard rockers and atmospheric epics they have always been known for, now joined by modern-sounding power metal tracks with a newfound sense of heaviness.

This last type of song is featured most prominently at the beginning of the CD, with the 2nd and 3rd songs, “Need for speed” and “Let me feel your power” among the heaviest songs Saxon have ever done. “Need for speed,” in particular, lives up to its name with its almost speed metal riffing and aggressive drumming. This last aspect is one thing you will notice right from the outset and deserves special mention – Nigel Glockler is back, and he apparently wants everyone to know it, too. Returning after an absence of almost 10 years, the veteran turns in what may be the best drumming performance on any Saxon release to date. Variety and heaviness of this sort hasn’t been heard from Glockler before - particularly on the faster numbers, and not least the end section of ‘Need for speed,’ which features what could almost be considered a blast beat.

While ‘The inner sanctum’ offers nothing new, even for Saxon themselves, it makes up for this, firstly, and most importantly, through the enjoyable nature of the songs, but also because the CD is the band’s most consistent in some time. The preceding 3 efforts, ‘Metalhead,’ ‘Killing ground’ and ‘Lionheart’ are all highly enjoyable CDs with serious stand-out tracks, but all suffer a few undeniable weaker moments along the way. ‘The inner sanctum,’ conversely, perhaps offers fewer outright stunning songs, but of the 9 on display here there really isn’t a thing to grumble about.

The middle of the album goes in a more traditional direction, with a few mid-paced conventional metal/hard rock numbers that vary slightly in quality before the heaviness returns for the 8-minute closing track “Atila the hun,” a dark and aggressive epic. This sits somewhat at odds with the opening track, “State of grace,” which focuses more on emotional atmosphere, helped greatly by an understated vocal performance from Biff Byford and sampled Gregorian chanting (in the style of Iron Maiden’s mighty “Sign of the cross”), and the 2 bookend the CD with contrasting types of ‘epic.’

When at its worst, for the want of a better word, ‘The inner sanctum’ is merely slightly unengaging, which is high praise indeed for a band in their 30th year of existence. For the most part, this CD is a highly enjoyable listen and definitely the overall best Saxon have recorded in some time. Their glory days are definitely behind them, but this is a band that, fashionable or not, still has plenty to offer the contemporary metal scene, and their continued efforts are to be appreciated. ‘The inner sanctum’ in all likelihood won’t be topping any year end lists, but its place in or around this reviewer’s top 10 probably won’t be in any danger.

(Originally written for http://www.metalcdratings.com)

Solid, very solid - 84%

Empyreal, March 8th, 2007

Saxon has been around for a long time, and I can't say I'm well-versed in their lenghthly discography. This is their 2007 output, and it's grown on me quite a bit. I was going to give it about 10 points lower, but I've come to appreciate this album. A lot of the songs are straightforward and rocking, such as "State of Grace", "Need For Speed", "I've Got to Rock", and "Going Nowhere Fast", all of which are packed with heavy, rocking riffs and melodic solos. "Red Star Falling" and "Attila the Hun" are the best songs here, very epic-feeling actually, especially the former. I also like "Let Me Feel Your Power" quite a lot, with it's catchy chorus and speedy guitar assault.

But I can't bring myself to like those vocals. Peter "Biff" Byford has been singing for 30+ years now, and I think it's finally catching up to him. I kept trying to like them, but Byford's voice has not aged as well as Bruce Dickinson's or Kai Hansen's in the new millenium, for his vox are the weakest link on this otherwise good heavy metal album.

This album is very solid all around, and not many of the songs jumped out at me at first, but I've grown to appreciate it as such---a solid heavy metal album, and nothing more. All of the songs are fun, rocking tunes that you'd be likely to listen to in a car speeding down the highway at night. Despite a few changes to their sound (a darker overall feel to it, as demonstrated in "State of Grace", and then the epic "Red Star Falling" and "Attila the Hun"), this is classic 80s-style heavy metal. Fans of the genre will enjoy. Recommended.