Lionheart (Saxon album) explained

Lionheart
Type:	studio
Artist:	Saxon
Cover:	Saxon lionheart.jpg
Caption:	Cover art by Paul R. Gregory
Released:	20 September 2004
Recorded:	2004
Studio:	Gems 24 Studio (Boston, Lincolnshire)
Genre:	Heavy metal
Length:	45:03
Label:	SPV/Steamhammer
Producer:	Charlie Bauerfeind
Prev Title:	Heavy Metal Thunder
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	The Eagle Has Landed – part 3
Next Year:	2006

Lionheart is the sixteenth studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon, released in 2004. It is the only studio album featuring drummer Jörg Michael.The title is inspired from Richard the Lionheart, a 12th-century King of England. "Beyond the Grave" was released as a single and a video. The album was re-released on 17 February 2006 in digipak format (limited to 10,000 copies) with a bonus DVD-Audio featuring previously unreleased material, videos, rough mixes and a new 5.1 / 96 K mix of the whole album, as well as a Saxon keyholder and a patch.^[1]

Lyrical concept

• "Witchfinder General" is about persecuting witches during the Interregnum era. The song also mentions methods of interrogation and execution favoured by 'Witchfinder General' Matthew Hopkins.
• "Lionheart" is about Richard the Lionheart, King of England from 1189 to 1199.
• "Beyond the Grave" is about death and afterlife.
• "To Live by the Sword" is about the way of life of samurai.

Personnel

• Biff Byford – lead vocals
• Paul Quinn – guitars
• Doug Scarratt – guitars
• Nibbs Carter – bass, keyboards
• Jörg Michael – drums
• Chris Stubley – keyboards on "Lionheart"

Production

• Charlie Bauerfeind – producer and engineer
• Biff Byford – executive producer
• Paul R. Gregory – cover design
• Sandra Hiltmann, SPV graphics – booklet design

Notes and References

1. Web site: Saxon – Lionheart . 2011-06-27 . Encyclopaedia Metallum.