Saxon
Innocence Is No Excuse

THE REVIEW

Biff is indisputable and all the works of Saxon hold significant importance in the Metal scene. I know that many fans of this band from York County stop after the release of the early albums that made the history of NWOBHM. Not me. For me, it is a pleasure to review Saxon and this first album under EMI contract. We fill the void of “Innocence Is No Excuse”, innocence is no excuse and cover girl eating an apple with the band's logo (this cover, by the way, is part of the list of the ugliest metal album covers along with Spaghetti Incident by Guns).

Dated 1985, it caused quite a stir because the raw sounds of early Saxon had softened, giving way to a much more contemporary sound. Let's call it AOR or Def Leppard Oriented, distancing from classic Metal. Let's remember that the first 2 albums by Metallica had already been released and Slayer had thrown “Hell Awaits” to the headbangers. The entire Metal movement was shifting towards the more aggressive sounds of the new bands, and the space left vacant was being filled by rockers who were starting to understand Heavy Metal late. Thus, the specialized critics had dismantled it. However, this is a commendable work for the amount of beautiful and simple songs. Listening to Mr. Byford's voice is a pleasure. It's him, it's always him. With that grit he’s had since the beginning. The band's sound is the best you could hear at that time. Mixing with great care dedicated to the search for drum effects. Bass drum and snare with that sound peak that all bass players would want to make their instrument stand out.

Saxon had changed. In music, you have to change; you can't always redo the same chord progression to satisfy fans. Even if change does not mean improvement. It simply means giving room to new ideas. Change means taking a new path, and this is a CD pleasantly listened to until the end because the Biff Family is a guarantee, never predictable and never trivial. The standout tracks are Call of the Wild, Back on the Streets, and Broken Heroes. If I have to point out a negative aspect, I would have avoided some perhaps overly orchestral choirs that the American market wanted for a more radio-friendly sound.