It not only amazes me that Saxon has been able to release quality music for over forty years, but that they’ve still done so at a fast pace compared to many of their peers. While some of their output from the late 80s to the early 90s has always been met with mixed opinions, from the mid-2000s onwards they’ve seemed to consistently deliver quality material every few years and even their okay albums were better than most. Unlike the likes of Iron Maiden or Raven who had fairly lengthy gaps between releases, it’s safe to assume that every two to three years you can get some more of Saxon’s heavy metal. The fact that Carpe Diem comes four years after Thunderbolt is more due to the wrench COVID threw into music industry schedules more than factors related to the band members themselves, and it gave them the chance to deliver the fun covers album Inspirations in 2021. While that may have been a release better suited to long-time fans, Carpe Diem comes roaring back in with a riff-oriented album that showcases why these guys are still at the top of their class so far into their career.
While their core sound has always channeled the spirit of heavy metal’s earliest days, Saxon has made tweaks to their songwriting from one album to the next. In more recent years their production values employed some modern approaches to make the instrumentation heavier than ever before and their writing showcased some power metal elements woven into the heavy metal foundation. For me, there’s been a consistency to almost all their 2000s and 2010s output that made them all worth returning to, but what’s separated a modern Saxon record from being great instead of good is how many songs stand out upon repeat listens. This is where Carpe Diem comes out swinging, as the band has brought their A-game when it comes to riffs and delivered ten tracks that vary things up without any filler whatsoever. The title track opens with some melodies that feel like they’re sending you back in time to the scene represented on the artwork, which leads immediately into scorching, high-energy riffs that have some noticeable bite. By stripping things back to their basics and letting the power of the riff dictate how these songs came together, the energy level never wavers and there are more hooks here than on some of the band’s past few efforts. All the classic elements are here, as you’ve got fast and punchier tempos where some of the blues rock roots seep back in alongside some slower tempos that emphasize melody while still retaining a triumphant feeling. Sometimes the tone approaches that of European power metal or even thrash, but this still sounds as you’d expect from modern Saxon and the huge riffs and powerful drums continues to suit them. Highlights for me include the slower burn and epic flair of “The Pilgrimage”, the traditional heavy metal flair of “Remember the Fallen”, and the bluesy tinges of closer “Black is the Night”, but there’s a consistency from beginning to end that makes Carpe Diem an album worth playing all the way through. And even when a few of the songs come through a bit too standard the brevity ensures the energy level is at a high, avoiding the trap of too many mid-tempo tracks or ballads in a row.
Other heavy metal singers have lost some of their range or sound like a shadow of their former selves decades after their first recordings, but Biff Byford has only seemed to get better over time. “Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)” finds Biff come in after the intro with the type of heavy metal wail one would expect, showcasing he still has plenty of his range. It’s reminiscent of the way that Judas Priest’s Firepower opened, and immediately had me wanting to crank this album to max volume. While I love the way the singing continues to soar into the skies on many of the songs, the more subdued moments on songs like “The Pilgrimage” also leave a lasting impression and there are just as many choruses that have stuck with me as riffs. As with some of Saxon’s more recent albums, Biff’s son Seb contributes some backing singing at key moments to add in some harmonies, and this also helps to make the material more memorable.
Whenever a new Saxon album is released, I expect a consistently enjoyable heavy metal album that will have some standout songs along with some ones that don’t quite stand the test of time. But with Carpe Diem the amount of standouts outweighs the okay ones, making for what may just be another late career highlight from this band. They’re still pulling from the same wheelhouse but continue to make subtle tweaks, and the focus on making the riffs the best they can has resulted in an A-level album with no filler. Last year’s cover album may have been a fun if inessential listen, but this year’s effort is a must for heavy metal fans. Carpe Diem is available from Silver Lining Music.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg
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