Saxon – The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum is the seventeenth studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon, released on 5 March 2007. It is the first album by the band to feature drummer Nigel Glockler since 1997’s Unleash the Beast. A limited edition with DVD is available too.
The Inner Sanctum marks a decisive and powerful chapter in Saxon’s later-era catalog, delivering a darker, heavier, and more disciplined sound. Released in 2007, the album reflects a band fully aware of its legacy while embracing a more intense and modern heavy metal approach.
The record favors weight and precision over speed alone. Thick guitar riffs, tight rhythmic structures, and a brooding atmosphere define the overall tone, creating a sense of urgency and authority throughout the tracklist. The songwriting leans toward strength and restraint, allowing each song to build impact without unnecessary excess.
Lyrically, the themes explore conflict, endurance, inner strength, and historical imagery, reinforcing the album’s serious and commanding presence. Biff Byford’s vocals remain commanding and expressive, adapting seamlessly to the album’s heavier direction while retaining the clarity that has long defined his delivery.
As a complete listening experience, The Inner Sanctum stands as one of Saxon’s most focused and formidable releases of the 2000s. It appeals both to long-time fans of British heavy metal and to listeners seeking a mature, uncompromising take on traditional metal values in a modern context.
Track list
(All songs written by Byford, Quinn, Glockler, Carter, Scarratt; all lyrics by Byford)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | “State of Grace” | 5:37 |
| 2. | “Need for Speed” | 3:08 |
| 3. | “Let Me Feel Your Power” | 3:29 |
| 4. | “Red Star Falling” | 6:16 |
| 5. | “I’ve Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)” | 4:40 |
| 6. | “If I Was You” (Album Version) | 3:27 |
| 7. | “Going Nowhere Fast” | 4:15 |
| 8. | “Ashes to Ashes” | 4:52 |
| 9. | “Empire Rising” | 0:41 |
| 10. | “Atila The Hun” | 8:09 |
| 11. | “If I Was You” (Single Version) | 3:06* |
Track list
Saxon Albums
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