September 26th, 2013 - A Noble Scot Sacrifice

Happy Friday!!  The Meista here with another rockin' pairing for you... Saxon's 2013 album "Sacrifice" (+ Bonus Disc) and a Noble Scot Scottish Ale from Portland Brewing Company!  Oh, this one goes out to Jerm and Forgach... cheers buddies!!

Probably they're heaviest album in recent years, Saxon's "Sacrifice" is reminiscent of the early work of this New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) band (formed in 1976, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire).  Biff Byford's vocals are like a Scottish Ale, big, "noble," meaty, gruff, and slightly sweet.  The guitar work by Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt is faster, more aggressive, and more fiery than previous work... and simply fantastic!  The rhythm section of Nigel Glockler (drums) and Nibbs Carter (bass) is a thunderous beast... stampeding across the Northern fjords!  This is straight-ahead, kick-ass metal!!  The track list is as follows:

1. "Procession"
2. "Sacrifice"
3. "Made In Belfast"
4. "Warriors Of The Road"
5. "Guardians Of The Tomb"
6. "Stand Up And Fight"
7. "Walking The Steel"
8. "Night Of The Wolf"
9. "Wheels Of Terror"
10. "Standing In a Queue"

Bonus Disc:

1. "Crusader" (Orchestral Version)
2. "Just Let Me Rock" (Re-Recorded Version)
3. "Requiem" (Acoustic Version)
4. "Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic Version)
5. "Forever Free" (Re-Recorded Version)

Portland Brewing Company's Noble Scot Scottish Ale is brewed as a traditional Scottish Ale.  It goes through a long boil in the kettle for a caramelization of the wort, which produces a deep copper-amber and a richer mouthfeel with maltier flavors and aromas. Overall, the hop character is rather low, light, and more herbal, like black tea.  This allows those strong malt flavors to become more prevalent... big toasted bread, biscuit, and caramel/toffee notes!  The Noble Scot, like "Sacrifice" is full-bodied, somewhat sweet, and with some really nice, yet subtle smokiness in the finish... a good, solid brew for some good, solid rocking... Saxon style!! 

Prost!!  Hails!!