Album: SAXON – Forever Free
Written By: Wes Haskins
Original Release Date: May 18, 1992
Original Label: Virgin Records
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalogue with Forever Free, which was the band’s eleventh studio album. The album again didn’t chart in either the UK or US but did in Germany (it seemed that while their fortunes waned in the US and UK, Germany continued to support the band). The musical style follows the previous album, Solid Ball of Rock, with the retro Saxon feel of going back to Hard Rock/Metal after the stab at melodic rock in parts of the mid to late 80s.
TRACK BY TRACK:
“Forever Free” – great opening track that has a memorable melody and great riff. Lyrically seems to be about riding motorcycles on the open road, which has been a common lyrical theme over the years.
“Hole in the Sky” – fast-paced opening riff and overall heavier song but a little more melodic at the chorus. About global pollution and the ozone layer.
“Just Wanna Make Love to You” – a cover of the Willie Dixon classic that’s a solid cover but pales in comparison to what Cold Sweat did with it two years earlier. Classic song but it’s unnecessary.
“Get Down & Dirty” – Classic Saxon boogie that wouldn’t be out of place on one of the early albums and is a really good album track. Lyrically about a young woman turning him on.
“Iron Wheels” – Acoustic-based song with an introspective lyric and a great vocal from Biff. Really great song. Telling the story that was inspired by his father working in a textile mill and the generations of fathers working in those industries, along with farmers and fishermen that provided working in tough jobs.
“One Step Away” – Uptempo riff and a fast-paced rock song that’s classic Saxon through and through. It seems to be about the temptation of drug addiction and the ties to urban decay.
“Can’t Stop Rockin” – Another old school Saxon style song with good drumming that stands out. It seems to be fairly self-explanatory lyrically.
“Nighthunter” – uptempo fast drumming and guitar riffs; this another classic Saxon song. Just a killer metal song. A darker horror-themed type lyric that could be about a stalker or a creature at night stalking its victims.
“Grind” – a good groove and solid album track. Nothing spectacular and it’s just kind of okay for me. Seems to be about living your life the way you want to and not letting outsiders grind you down to follow what they expect from you.
“Cloud Nine” – Fast drums, fast riffs and another old school Saxon vibe that seems to be about living life on the edge and doing things how you want to, and it almost could be autobiographical about the band and how they’ve lived as a touring band over the years.
Recap:
Another return-to-form album from the band and similar to the previous release, Solid Ball of Rock, that fits right into the 1980-1983 era of the band with a few new surprises here and there. The title track is a classic and there are several other great songs, but also a couple of just okay songs. Overall, a strong album for 1992. In a time when the US was in between the dying days of the LA hair metal scene and the Seattle takeover, bands like Saxon just decided to be themselves.
Favourite songs:
“Forever Free“, “Iron Wheels“, “Hole in the Sky“, “One Step Away“, and “Nighthunter“.
Read more of Wes Haskins‘ Saxon reviews here as he surges through the entire discography: Author – Wes Haskins
