Unleash the Beast

"Unleash the Beast" is one of these albums that fail to deliver an untroubled listening pleasure. Despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that Saxon do not go beyond the usual, comparatively narrow scope, the quality of the songs differs remarkably. This also means, however, that "Unleash the Beast" includes some very good compositions which do not lack of aggression and straightness. They are the reason why this full-length is still not forgotten. Well, I must admit that I am not quite sure about its general status. To express it more cautiously: I still appreciate a handful of its songs very much.

The stereotyped artwork is no figurehead for the album, but its flaming sky in the background and the menacing atmosphere appear as an omen for the best songs. The most gripping tunes present a fairly dark aura. The fatalistic "Circle of Light" marks the best example in this context. Yet it is not only an uncanny tune. It also belongs to the highlights of the album, because its straight riffing shows the right amount of heaviness, pressure and sharpness. "The Preacher" shares the uncomfortable atmosphere of the aforementioned song. Its guitar work is reduced to the necessary, while the pretty gentle chorus surprises with its smoothness. But as I have said before, there are many songs that convey this slightly fateful feeling. It is based on the uncomplicated yet effective riffs. In particular due to the dominating mid-tempo rhythms, the guitars have enough space to celebrate their might. "Cut Out the Disease" is another example for the somehow dangerous emanation of the album whose production can be described as solid and adequate.

In my humble opinion, the aforementioned tunes keep the album above water. Of course, it is difficult to reinvent yourself again and again. Additionally, I do not deny that Saxon are caught in their history and their supporters have a certain expectation. This means that complex song formulas or speedy outbursts of fury seem to be nothing else but utopian visions that cannot be realised in the universe of Saxon. But I do not want to change this situation, even if I could. The traditional approach will always be the basis for every ramification of our most appreciated music. Nonetheless, conventional tunes like the fairly shrill "Terminal Velocity" or the unspectacular "The Thin Red Line" do not convince. Instead, they confirm an old wisdom: to preserve the tradition is no value in itself. But I guess that this is a matter of course. However, with the exception of the pretty fast title track, Saxon walk, for better or for worse, the well-known paths of mid-tempo rhythms while ageing in dignity.

Summing up, this is neither a milestone in Saxon's discography nor a letdown. Okay, "Absent Friends" has very personal lyrics, yet in terms of music, it is more or less just an unnecessary ballad. Fortunately, I am immune against this kind of songs since I listened to a ballad of Grave Digger for the very first time. My ears got irreparably damaged in a matter of minutes. (Considering this, nobody needs to take my reviews seriously.) Nonetheless, metal freaks who want to consume their traditional stuff without any complications should lend an ear to "Unleash the Beast".