After the run through of the Iron Maiden catalog I was asked to review the Saxon catalog next so we start with the self titled debut from 1979. The British Metal legends had previously been known as Son of a Bitch but changed their name at the recommendation of the record label. While the album does have some of the sound the band would become known for, overall this is a very diverse album from a band still trying to find their signature sound and showing influences such as progressive, glam, and hard rock.
“Rainbow Theme/Frozen Rainbow” leads things off and is actually two tracks but I consider them one long track. A very progressive style and unlike other songs on the album and most of the catalog but it’s cool song because of how different it is from the band. Lyrically based in a fantasy style that again wasn’t something the band did a lot.,
“Big Teaser” has a big 70s Glam influence and a catchy chorus about chasing women at a bar.
“Judgement Day” is just good straight ahead hard rock and classic NWOHM. Lyrically speaking out against society or religion or even could be government with those being held down or oppressed getting payback in the end.
“Stallions of the Highway” is classic Saxon through and through and a sign of things to come on the next several albums. About the motorcycle culture but mixed with a story of hitchhiker turned ghost but changed to a dead motorcyclist haunting the roads he once road on.
“Backs to the Wall” again has that classic NWOBHM and Saxon vibe the band became known for.
Lyrically about being held down but finding ways to fight back against society. “
Still Fit to Boogie” is all in the name. Just fun 70’s boogie rock n roll. Not great but solid. Follows the working class mentality of the band and not giving up in the face of adversity.
“Militia Guard” closes the album and is supposedly about the French Revolution. It’s just an okay song for me.
Overall the album is better than I remembered and while it’s not quite up to what the band did over the next 5-6 years it does have its moments.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
The second album from the British metal legends and considered by many their finest hour. It’s the start of a great run of albums for the band that saw them become a big part of the NWOBHM and world wide metal scene. The album reached #5 in the UK charts and gold certification and was one of the bands most successful albums.
“Motorcycle Man” is everything an opening track should be. Fast and furious and to the point this track sets the tone and shows the leap in growth between the debut to the second album less than a year later. Telling the story of a biker on the road and the freedom of that lifestyle.
“Stand up and be Counted” continues the faster pace but with a little more melody than the previous track. It could be about standing up for what you believe in and doesn’t seem to be specific at all but more generalized of standing up for yourself.
A classic through and through “747(Strangers in the Night)” tells the tale of a massive blackout in the 60s in NYC and the struggle of a plane landing in the darkness but also seems to be mixed with two strangers meeting in passing somewhere such as at an airport. Melodic and melancholic it treads a different road for Saxon up to this point but became a big hit for the band.
“Wheels of Steel” the classic title track that has a great riff and groove that makes the song a classic live anthem. About driving on the open road either in a car or a motorcycle it could be either or.
“Freeway Mad” another fast paced rocker about driving a motorcycle fast on the road and being chased or maybe racing someone else.
“See the light Shining” has a good drum pattern by original drummer Pete Gill that drives the song along. A good upbeat song with solid melodies and and for me a very underrated track. Lyrically it could be about fighting through adversity and surviving through tough times.
“Street Fighting Gang” another frantic upbeat rocker telling the tale of younger person in school always looking for a fight and never backing down. The energy of being young and running with your friends or gang.
“Suzie Hold On” is a good melodic catchy song and is definitely single material and stands out somewhat from not being a balls to the wall rocker. It seems to be about a woman he cares for that he’s worried is depressed and might take her own life and he’s asking her to hold on and he wishes he had the money to take her away from her problems.
“Machine Gun” ends the album with another fast paced foot to the floor metal song. Lyrically about a soldier on the front line fighting for their life in the midst of never ending chaos of bullets and bombs and having to fight with a gun and eventually a knife in hand to hand combat.
Recap: still a classic NWOBHM album and one of Saxons best albums. The album really pulls no punches and hits you straight in the face minus a couple more melodic moments.
Favorite songs: 747(Strangers in the Night), Motorcycle Man, Wheels of Steel, See the Light Shining, and Machine Gun.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
CThe third album from British Metal legends and for my money their best album. Reaching #11 and a gold certification in the UK, the album continued the momentum started with the previous album Wheels of Steel but for me was just slightly better and more complete. It’s astonishing they were able to record two classic albums in the same year.
“Heavy Metal Thunder” is about as quintessential Saxon and early 80s metal as it gets. A constant in the setlist over the years the song is a great way to open an album. Fast paced and anthemic about all things metal and a tribute to the diehard fans at the shows.
“To Hell and Back Again” is another uptempo track driven by the drums of Pete Gill and guitarists Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver. About a prisoner on death row whose execution keeps getting delayed and about the feeling of waiting to be put to death.
“Strong Arm of the Law” has a great groove and is another live anthem. One of those Saxon classics through and through and is about the band being stopped by the police on London bridge.
“Taking Your Chances” starts with a killer riff and then drums kick in and Biff joins with a snarling vocal. A solid straight ahead metal song. It seems to be about taking chances in life against the odds.
“20,000 Feet” is another Saxon classic for me. Straight ahead uptempo balls to the wall. Not many bands in the era did this kind of fast paced metal as well as they did outside of maybe Motörhead. Lyrically about the rush of flying.
“Hungry Years” has a slower groove and isn’t an all out rocker but still is a solid song. The song seems to be about the struggle of trying to make it in the music industry and the hard work of the Hungry Years or earlier years of life or a career. There are some odd lyrics mentioning “Jews and Whites” so I might be misinterpreting it somewhat so could also just be about a minority trying to make in business.
“Sixth Form Girls” is a fun rock n roll song with a good driving beat. Just fun Saxon nothing more or less and about teenage rebellion against parents or school and talking about the young girls going out to party and go to shows when they’re not supposed to be out.
Every Saxon album has that epic track and on this album “Dallas 1PM” is that song. A slow groove that builds and builds throughout the song with some nice steady rhythm work from Gill and Dawson with a nice set of guitar solos in the middle with Biff telling the story of the JFK assassination. Another classic Saxon song.
Recap: another classic Saxon and early 80s Metal album and overall my favorite from the band slightly edging out Wheels of Steel.
Favorite songs: Heavy Metal Thunder, Strong Arm of the Law, 20,000 Feet, To Hell and back Again, and Dallas 1PM.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
The fourth album from the British metal legends. The album reached #9 and a silver certification in the UK and was the last album to feature the original lineup with drummer Pete Gill, who left the band and eventually joined Motörhead for a short time. The album continues the hard hitting metal style of the first few albums.
“Princess of the Night” leads things off and is another classic from the band. Telling the story about a steam train the song has a cool riff throughout and nice drum beat that drives the song along to the solos. The song was the first single and peaked at #57 in the UK.
“Never Surrender” starts with a good riff and solid drum beat that just has the classic Saxon vibe. A solid album track with a good chorus. A working class type anthem about overcoming a tough upbringing.
“Out of Control” another good solid rock song nothing fancy just good straight forward hard rock. Supposedly about an urban legend about a phantom hitchhiker who haunts the road and is picked up by a biker.
“Rough and Ready” is just a straight rocker with a good solo and just a good time song with a good riff. About living life on your own terms and possible about the rough biker and possible metal band lifestyle.
“Play it Loud” another good straight ahead rock song with a flashy solo. About getting harassed by society while trying to enjoy loud music.
“And The Bands Played On” is a short(less than three minutes) and to the point melodic hard rock song. Another early 80s Saxon classic and about the 1980 Monsters of Rock Festival.
“Midnight Rider” a more melodic style but good song and seems to be about the band touring the United States and driving on a bus or van through the night from town to town.
“Fire in the Sky” is upbeat fast paced metal song that’s one of the faster songs on the album. Talking about nuclear warfare and post apocalypse when the missiles start flying and mankind is trying to survive.
“Denim & Leather” is another all time great Saxon and 80s metal
anthem. A song about the fans of the scene and those that were there from the beginning it’s a great way to end the album on a high note.
Recap: another classic from the band which makes three in a little over a year.
Favorite songs:
Princess of the Night, And the Band Played On, Denim & Leather, Midnight Rider, and Never Surrender..
WES HASKINS
Contributer
The fifth album from the British metal legends. The first Saxon album with drummer Nigel Glockler the album peaked at #15 in the UK and #155 in the US. There were two singles released including the title track and “Nightmare”. I’d consider this the last of that eras classic Saxon albums with the style changing slightly starting with the next release before going back to this sound in the 90s and onward.
“Power & The Glory” opens things up with a foot to the floor metal track that’s really underrated in the Saxon catalog. The song seems to be about a warrior from the past fighting for freedom but I’ve also read it’s inspired by the Falklands War which would have been many years before Maiden wrote about it on “Pachendale”.
“Redline” is a solid album track kind of has a shuffle to it and a good melody. Nothing amazing but very solid and nice solo. Lyrically about pushing the limit of motorcycles and fast cars it’s a common theme in Saxon lyrics talking about bikers and driving fast.
“Warrior” is fast and gritty and just prime early 80s NWOBHM. Lyrically about the Viking raids on an unsuspecting English coast and the terror from that point of view as the “Warrior came, Warrior Saw, Warrior conquered”.
“Nightmare” is very melodic and a nice chorus and just a nice light and shade from the heavier and faster songs. Also almost a precursor to the more melodic style the band dabbled with in the near future.
“This Town Rocks” is another fast paced uptempo classic Saxon rock n roll song talking about a town that knows how to rock. It doesn’t seem to be specific to a particular city but just more of a rallying cry live to whatever town they were in on tour.
“Watching the Sky” starts off heavier but does have its melodic moments at the chorus. It’s about looking at life on other planets or in other universes beyond earth.
“Midas Touch” is a good hard rock song that goes between faster parts and slows down in the verses and it has a very good melodic solo. Lyrically about a powerful figure that can make someone burn just by looking at them. I’m not sure what inspired it or if it’s specifically about any historical or biblical figure.
“The Eagle Has Landed” is a slow build epic track that gets heavier as it goes on and is another classic Saxon song. Great solos throughout the song. About the moon landing and space exploration.
Recap: Another classic sounding Saxon album making it four pretty great albums in a row before a slight departure on the next several albums. Overall this one is kind of underrated compared to the previous three.
Favorite songs: Power & The Glory, Warrior, Redline, Nightmare, Watching the Sky, and The Eagle Has Landed.ld up.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
The sixth studio album from the British Metal legends. The album was a slight departure on a few songs of less NWOBHM and more almost American songwriting style on a few songs which was surely pushed by the label. Honestly it’s surprising to this day the album and band didn’t sell better in the US. It did peak at #18 in the UK and #174 in the US but there is no information if it was certified in any territory. Special mention to the album cover which is amazing but it also makes you think it’s a concept album but it’s not.
“The Crusader Prelude” is a short intro leading into the title track.
“Crusader” was written about the crusades and from a point of view of young kid watching the soldiers go off to war. Musically it’s heavy and almost like an early Power Metal style with a cool drum pattern and with the tie in to the album cover the song had to be influential to the subgenre later on.
“A Little Bit Of What You Fancy” is much lighter and just a fun song that has a catchy chorus. Not sure if specifically about anything but seems to be about enjoying certain better things in life.
“Sailing To America” is huge, melodic, and memorable. One of my favorite Saxon songs and one that is very much the new direction they were heading in and not the classic Saxon song style but it’s just so great for me and should have been a hit in the US. Lyrically about the pilgrims leaving England and heading to a new world. I had an employee many years ago in the early 2000s that had the internet back when I didn’t know much about it and we’d talk bands and he made me a Saxon cd(r) of songs(have no idea where they came from) and this was on it so I played it a lot until I was able to buy all the cd reissues around 2008/2009 because you couldn’t find many Saxon cds in stores in the 90s and early 2000s.
“Set Me Free” is a cover of The Sweet Classic. While it’s a solid cover and absolutely a great song it doesn’t really fit on the album and just kind of a throwaway but I’m assuming the thought was that it could get on radio but it didn’t.
“Just Let Me Rock” is standard Saxon about just wanting to rock. Nothing to deep lyrically but seems to be about keeping integrity from the record label and not selling out but it is ironic that it was on an album where they were accused of selling out. Even with that said I like this song, good grove and rocking song.
“Bad Boys(Like to Rock N Roll)” is just straight forward ballsy rock n roll. Very old school Saxon. Good rocking song and backing vocals and solo. Seems to be about living life to the fullest and about rebellious nature of metal bands and their fans.
“Do It All For You” is a power ballad and definitely new ground for Saxon and a stab at some commercial success. It is a good song though and one I’ve always enjoyed. It almost sounds like it could be off an early 80s Y&T album but just not as good. Lyrically it’s very basic and just about unconditional love and taking care of someone you love.
“Rock City” is just a fun Hard Rock anthem with a good chorus and just a classic Saxon type song. Lyrically seems to be about appreciation to the radio stations and DJs bringing the music to the masses. That was such a huge thing in the 80s that it’s sad it’s not a thing now. This song along with Justin Let Me Rock could have been on Hard Rock radio at the time.
“Run For Your Lives” is a solid closing track. Good and upbeat but a little more melodic at the chorus. A very good album track and a song that I could hear going over well live. Nice memorable solo too. Lyrically seems to be about a terrible catastrophe such a house or building being on fire and everyone trying to escape or run for their lives.
Recap: a departure on several tracks and with the less raw production of Kevin Beamish the band was definitely trying to soften itself for the American market and this was the first the band showed cracks in their armor. While there were several songs that probably could have cracked that market it sadly didn’t work at the time but as previously mentioned the title track and the album cover were very influential many years later and I’ll always stand up for Sailing to America. The only track that I don’t really care for is the cover, not that it’s not a good song, it just wasn’t necessary.
Favorite songs: Crusader, A Little Bit of What You Fancy, Sailing to America, Just Let Me Rock, Rock City, and Bad Boys.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Innocence Is No Excuse is the seventh studio album by the British Metal legends released in September 1985. It was the band's first album for EMI after a falling-out with their previous label, and their last with original bassist Steve Dawson. The album was a further departure from the classic Saxon sound and even more Americanized but was perfect for 1985 for this market but maybe not what most Saxon fans might have wanted but I still think for what it is it’s very good. Very similar in that way to Judas Priest’s Turbo and Maiden’s Somewhere in Time from that era with the band trying new things but sadly not near as successful commercially as those two albums. There were three singles “Back on the Streets”, “Rockin Again”, and “Rock N Roll Gypsy” and the album reached #36 in the UK and #133 in the US. The production was much better than the thin sound on the previous album Crusader and overall a better album in my opinion.
“Rockin Again” leads off the album and seemed to be telling fans that they were back to rock again and I’m not sure if that was an apology to fans on how some felt about Crusader or just a standard Saxon anthem about being on stage rocking and the bond the band had with their fans. Overall it’s just a solid hard rock anthem type song but it actually takes a while to get to rocking(which is kind of ironic) with a long intro with a keyboard riff and some studio stuff and doesn’t really kick in until the minute and twenty second mark and the drums and the rest of the band join in. Overall it’s not a heavy song and is quite melodic and a good catchy song but not quite the rocker the title promised.
“Call of the Wild” is melodic and catchy and definitely moving into the AOR style chorus. It’s a very good song but I can really just imagine what an old school Saxon fan thought at the time but honestly it was made to be hit in 85/86. Nice guitar solo and Biff sounds great. Lyrically it seems to be about people that like to go out partying at night and living a lifestyle on the edge which could be about the band itself.
“Back on the Streets” again follows the big melodic mid 80s style chorus and is even more AOR than the last track. Another very good catchy song that sounds so far removed from the early albums but probably deserved to be on radio at the time. It seems to be celebrating the band being back and the ability of perseverance and overcoming the hardships they had been through.
“Devil Rides Out” gets the album back to a heavier foot to the floor faster paced song. There’s edge and atmosphere with the song with melody at the verses and it gets heavier at the chorus. Not exactly the same ole old school Saxon anthem but some new ground. Lyrically about a not so nice woman that is basically the “devil” to the narrator.
“Rock N Roll Gypsy” is another melodic rock track with another Americanized radio friendly chorus that was perfect for 1985 but again I’m sure not what fans expected but it’s such a good song. Lyrically about the band traveling town to town and about those that they spend the night with on the road.
“Broken Heroes” is one of my favs on the album and again is a big AOR type chorus and just a catchy song. Not specifically about one war or conflict but definitely is an anti war song in general as it mentions many battles throughout history. Great song.
“Gonna Shout” more upbeat and a good groove and rocks more. Big backing vocals. Screaming or shouting about the love of rock n roll and heavy metal.
“Everybody Up” is fast uptempo rocking song and perfect for an opening for a show and maybe could have opened the album. Nothing deep here but very simple about getting a crowd going at a live show.
“Raise Some Hell” is heavier and more edgy and closer to metal instead of AOR. A really good album track that helps break up the melodic rock radio friendly songs. It seems to be about being on stage and getting the crowd going and “raising hell” so a similar thing to the previous track.
“Give It Everything You Got” is another fast paced uptempo tune. A good song to close with. About going for it in life and following your dreams and not settling.
B-Sides:
“Live Fast Die Young” is a cool b-side that should have been on the album. A little heavier but still melodic so a little light and shade but catchy and rocking. It’s crazy they buried this as a b-side. This would have been one of the better songs on the album for those that like the heavier side of the band.
“Krakatoa” was also a great b-side and again a heavier track that could have been on the album and could have made the album a little more ballsy but I can only guess that the label wanted to stick more with the AOR direction.
Recap:
The track order hurts this album with the focus on too many AOR melodic tracks front loading the order and many of the faster and heavier tracks towards the back but that might have been on purpose by the label and or management. The two bonus tracks are too good to leave off the proper album but I don’t think the label was sacrificing a potential radio single at that point for a heavier track. Overall I actually really like this album and it’s one I’ve enjoyed more over the years but it does stick out somewhat compared to the previous album but the production is much better than the Crusader album.
Favorite songs:
Devil Rides Out, Broken Heroes, Call of the Wild, Rock N Roll Gypsy, Raise Some Hell, Gonna Shout and special mention to the b-side Life Fast Die Young.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Rock the Nations is the eighth studio album from the British Metal legends. The first album with new bassist Paul Johnson in the band although he didn’t play on it(supposedly Biff played bass). The album featured three singles “Waiting for the Night”, “Rock the Nations”, and “Northern Lady”. The album peaked at #34 in the UK and #149 in the US. Surprisingly Elton John plays piano on two tracks.
“Rock The Nations” is a good opening track. Good solid drum beat and groove and a little heavier for this era of the band. It seems to be about the band on tour taking their show town to town and I can hear as an opening track on the set list.
“Battle Cry” has a cool atmosphere and a good build almost similar to a later power metal style that you might have heard later in the 90s and early 2000s. This would have been a good fit on the Crusader album to pair with the title track and special mention to the drumming. Lyrically about the Scottish Rebellion and the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
“Waiting For The Night” is very melodic and catchy and a good radio friendly song and was a single and probably should have been a hit. Very similar to some of the more melodic songs on the previous album. Very basic lyrically and seems to be about the wait to meet up with someone such as someone he was in a relationship with.
“We Came Here To Rock” groovy, anthemic, and a statement of intent. A faster paced song and just a really good tune that would be great live. Sounds like it could be talking about censorship and establishment and just saying they just want to rock and nothing else.
“You Ain’t No Angel” heavy, gritty, a good groove and a nice solo. Really good heavier song and I really like Biff’s vocal on this one. Telling the story of a young woman that has everyone fooled except the narrator who sees exactly who she is and as a “devil” and not an “angel”.
“Running Hot” is uptempo and faster paced and really just good mid 80s Hard Rock. Fairly simple lyric about someone the narrator is attracted to making them hot. Basic rock n roll lyric.
“Party Till You Puke” is a silly throw away track of a band just cutting loose and having fun and features Elton John on piano but the song is rather pointless and would have been better as a b-side or bonus track. Lyrically it’s self explanatory.
“Empty Promises” opens with a good drum beat and is mostly mid tempo with a more relaxed chorus instead of the bigger melodic chorus like many songs in this era had. The solo is excellent and has a bluesy feel that just fits the song very well. Lyrically it’s talking about being taken advantage of in a relationship and having enough and moving on.
“Northern Lady” is a nice ballad and a very good song and was the third single and was the second of two songs that Elton John played piano on. It starts out with some piano and Biff’s vocal before the drums kick in with the guitars. A very good song that could have been a hit. It seems to be just a simple love story about loving a woman from the north.
Recap: the album seems to be a reaction to the previous more melodic “Innocence is No Excuse” and it’s mostly well done besides the one throwaway song. Listening through this several times in the last couple of days made me realize I liked this album a lot more than I realized.
Favorite songs: Rock the Nations, Battle Cry, Waiting for the Night, We Came Here To Rock, You Ain’t No Angel, and Northern Lady but every song is very good except the silly one
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog, “Destiny” is
the ninth studio album by the British Metal legends and final album on the EMI label. The album peaked at #49 in the UK charts and it didn’t chart at all in the US. It is also the only studio album to feature the rhythm section of drummer Nigel Durham and bassist Paul Johnson. During the tour for this album, both were fired and replaced by bassist Nibbs Carter and a returning Nigel Glockler on drums who finished the tour.
The Christopher Cross cover of “Ride Like the Wind” had to be a huge shock to some fans at the time. A NWOBHM band covering a Yacht Rock classic. However with that said it’s a lot of fun and a well done cover.
“Where Lightning Strikes” is a melodic track but is just okay for me and it’s an odd choice for the second track on the album. Lyrically it’s supposedly about destiny and the courage to move forward.
“I Can’t Wait Anymore” was a single and probably could have been a big hit by a different band. It’s actually a very good song. Catchy, melodic, keyboard driven melodic rock but the solo isn’t good and seems so out of place. About the rejection regarding a romantic relationship of some kind.
“Calm Before the Storm” is very catchy, keyboard driven, and very melodic song. Good chorus and a memorable song. Lyrically about saving the earth and its resources and the worldwide greed that’s causing the destruction of the planets future.
“S.O.S.” Is another big catchy melodic rock song with a great keyboard riff driving the song and I love the drums too. This should have been a single or in a movie. Lyrically telling the story of the sinking of the Titanic.
“Song for Emma” is a very good song and nice melody and chorus. A story about the heartbreak of a woman named Emma but I can’t find any info if she’s a real person or if the story is fictional. Another song that could have been a single and it would have been a good video.
“For Whom The Bell Tolls” is a slightly heavier and edgier track with more balls than most of the album and a nice change of pace to some of the more keyboard driven songs. A nice guitar riff and I like the drums and solo too. The song seems to be an anti war and pro unification statement but also is supposedly also inspired by the 1943 film of the same name.
“We Are Strong” is back to keyboard riffs and a melodic style and a very good big chorus. This could have been a single and is kind of buried at the back of the album. About being resilient and fighting through life’s challenges.
“Jericho Siren” rocks a little more still has that melodic chorus and I like the verses. Lyrically about bombings over history specifically World War II and overall an anti war statement.
“Red Alert” starts with a faster pace and is more upbeat than most of the album snd nice way to finish the album. Telling the story of the band being near the Russian border in 1986 when the Chernobyl disaster took place and the fear it caused.
Recap: Another more commercial sounding album with the most keyboards they’ve ever had on an album but not surprising for 1988. Even though it’s not the classic Saxon sound it is a very good album and the production is definitely a sound of that time. Another Saxon album that I’ve liked more than I remembered I did.
Favorite songs: S.O.S., For Whom The Bell Tolls, Calm Before the Storm, Red Alert, I Can’t Wait Anymore, and Ride like the Wind.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with the tenth studio album from the band. The album was the bands first on Virgin Records after the previous three with EMI and it was return to form in some ways with a more heavier older Saxon sound and less melodic and AOR than the previous three releases. The album didn’t chart in the UK or the US and was the first small step of the band trying to rebuild the fanbase but they didn’t really have the songs outside of a few tracks.
"Solid Ball of Rock” - is a great opener and a great heavier song with a good groove. Telling the story of early rock n roll and inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis.
"Altar of the Gods" - is a faster paced upbeat metal song that has that old school Saxon metal vibe. Lyrically about capitalism and greed.
“Requiem (We Will Remember)" - probably one of my favorite Saxon songs ever. Melodic and uplifting with a memorable chorus. A great tribute to great musicians that have passed on and how they and their music will always be remembered.
"Lights in the Sky” - another faster paced song but it’s just okay for me and isn’t very memorable. It’s about UFO’s and aliens.
"I Just Can't Get Enough” - a solid groove and drum beat but the song is just okay and doesn’t go anywhere. Solid chorus but not real memorable.
“Baptism of Fire" - solid rock n roll that’s talking about being on stage and the trial by fire of being in a band.
"Ain't Gonna Take It" - solid song with a decent groove but the high point of the song is the solo which takes it up a notch. About staying optimistic in the face of adversity.
“I’m on Fire” - starts with a nice bluesy guitar riff and eventually joined by the drums and the rest of the band. A mid tempo blues based song with a good chorus. About being attracted to someone.
“Overture in B-Minor / Refugee" - opening with an instrumental until the thirty second mark before going into a big melodic ballad that has a slow build to the chorus. Seems to be about those searching for a better life.
“Bavarian Beaver" (Instrumental) - a short instrumental.
“Crash Dive" - opens with a cool bass line and drums kick in and it’s a fast paced rock song that would be great live. About living life on the edge.
“Reeperbahn Stomp" (Japanese only bonus track) - blues based rock n roll that’s forgettable. Decent groove but it doesn’t go anywhere.
Recap: an almost return to form to a more classic Saxon sound but not a perfect album by any means and it’s kind of disjointed at times but overall it was a step in the right direction but besides a few songs it feels like they were really trying but just hadn’t quite figured out how to get back to the old formula. However the two great songs(Title track and Requiem are top shelf Saxon).
Favorite songs: Solid Ball of Rock, Requiem(We Will Remember), Refuge, Altar of the Gods, I’m on Fire, and Crash Drive.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog 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 that 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.
“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 industry’s 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 about the temptation of drug addiction and the ties to urban decay.
“Can’t Stop Rockin” - Another old school Saxon style song with a 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 too 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 from 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’s several other great songs but also a couple of just okay songs but 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.
Favorite songs: Forever Free, Iron Wheels, Hole in the Sky, One Step Away, and Nighthunter.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Dogs of War”, which was the bands twelfth studio album. It was the last album with guitarist Graham Oliver before he was dismissed from the band. The album again didn’t chart in either the UK or the US but did again find success in Germany and Switzerland. Production was handled by vocalist Biff Byford and Rainer Hansel.
“Dogs of War” - a gritty heavier opener with a an almost Power & Glory era vibe. Lyrically about war and soldiers fighting an enemy with some Julius Caesar references. A nice tone setter for the album.
“Burning Wheels” - uptempo and full of fast riffs and drums that keeps the momentum going. Lyrically the theme is about fast driving and danger.
“Don’t Worry” - a very odd song and it’s almost soulful southern/country rock style chorus is very out of character for Saxon. It seems to be about leaving town or moving away from home to find one’s place in the world.
“Big Twin Rolling(Coming Home)” - this also has some southern rock going on but rocks much harder and fits Saxon much better. A lot of good guitars too. About traveling home to a loved one on the open road on a motorcycle.
“Hold On” - more melodic rock that’s a little out of place on this album and maybe fits the 85-88 era of the band better. Not a bad song but just different for the Saxon of 1995. A love story about a girl Jenny and her falling for Billy and leaving together to start a new life.
“The Great White Buffalo” - Heavier track that pushes the boundaries a little for Saxon. Not just the standard uptempo classic metal song but one with light and shade. About injustices towards the Native American culture and history.
“Demolition Alley” - heavy riff in the classic Saxon style. Lyrically talking about the struggles of the working class.
“Walking Through Tokyo” - slower groove that builds. Not classic Saxon and adding something new to the equation and musically and lyrically very much in the tradition of Japanese culture and history.
“Give It All Away” - another more melodic chorus and catchy enough and really a solid song that kind of grows on you. Lyrics seem to be asking to be able to give up everything to have one more day with their partner.
“Yesterday’s Gone” - a little heavier and darker melody and drum pattern that drives the song along. Really good guitar solos throughout the song too. It seems to tell the story of a relationship gone bad and him always staying with her but has now decided to let her go and move on.
Recap: A schizophrenic album in some ways with about half being the older heavier Saxon style and several songs that wouldn’t be too far out of place in the 85-88 EMI years but just not as good. Some fans adore this album and some seem to hate it but I fall somewhere in the middle and appreciate a handful of songs and can give the band credit for trying some different approaches in the mid 90s when classic metal bands were lost for the most part.
Favorite songs: Dogs of War, Great White Buffalo, Burning Wheels, Yesterday’s Gone, Big Twin Rolling(Coming Home), and Demolition Alley.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with Unleash the Beast which was the bands thirteenth studio album and was released in 1997. It is their first studio album with Doug Scarratt on guitar and for me started a new era of the band with a mostly same lineup for the next 25 plus years. The album again charted in Germany but not in the US or UK. If memory serves the US release was on CMC Records and I remember seeing some hype about it in some magazines at the time most likely Metal Maniacs. It’s a shame it didn’t get more attention because it’s a great album and should be mentioned as a top 5-10 Saxon album.
“Gothic Dreams” - short intro instrumental track
“Unleash the Beast” - heavier album opener type track. Great guitar work and almost like a statement of intent on the new heavier direction that band takes on from here on out. Lyrically could be about self empowerment and facing adversity. It could also be about the band finding their way through the changes of their career.
“Terminal Velocity” - another heavier riff fueled metal track. It seems to be about the thrill of Sky diving or other thrill seeking activities.
“Circle of Light” - Heavy and uptempo that has a good melody but still heavy chorus and some excellent guitar playing. Lyrically about a near death experience from a major surgery including an out of body experience.
“The Thin Red Line” - a little more melody but it still rocks and has a great solo and is one of my favs on the album. Talks about soldiers on the frontline but also references the Anglo/Zulu battle of 1879 when the British fought the Zulu Kingdom.
“Ministry of Fools” - very good melody and overall one of the more catchy tracks on the album. Seems to be talking about defiance towards those in power.
“The Preacher” - good heavy riffs and a good groove. A lot of whoa whoa’s in the chorus. A critique of religion, faith and cults.
“Bloodletter” - A heavy uptempo metal track that tells the story of vampire hiding in the shadows stalking its prey.
“Cut out the Disease” - A darker and heavy song and full of great solos. Seems to be about a former friend or most likely bandmate who was deceitful. I’m guessing it’s about former guitarist Graham Oliver who the band fired a year or so earlier.
“Absent Friends” - an introspective ballad and the only breather for an album that’s mostly heavier. Talking about the loss of someone close to you. I’m not sure if it’s specifically about someone or a more generalized lyric about the feelings those have when a close friend or relative passes on.
“All Hell Breaking Loose” - heavy and uptempo and a great way to close a great album. Lyrics could be about Revelations and the end of the world.
Recap: A filler free album for me that’s full of guitars, guitars, and more guitars. Not sure if it was the change in guitarists adding Doug Scarratt but whatever it was pushed the band in a heavier and more focused direction.
Favorite songs: The Thin Red Line, Circle of Light, Terminal Velocity, Cut out the Disease, Bloodletter, All Hell Breaking Loose. I could list every song.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Metalhead” which was the bands fourteenth studio album. Following up the amazing “Unleash the Beast” this follows a similar path continuing the heavier and very focused metal style. This was the first of two albums with new drummer Fritz Randow who replaced Nigel Glockler who had left the band for several years due to health issues. Again there was no chart success in the US or UK but again in Germany.
“Intro” - short instrumental
“Metalhead” - Heavy and an almost doomy riff and really an awesome metal song. Seems to be about alien abduction and government conspiracies related to aliens.
“Are We Travelers in Time” - another heavy and badass metal song. Exploring the concept of time and how humanity as a whole fits into that.
“Conquistador” - A faster paced uptempo metal song with fast drumming but melodic choruses. About Sixteenth century Spanish explorers sailing to the Americas.
It covers the journey itself but also the conquest and downfall of the ancient empire being conquered.
“What Goes Around” - more of a groove based hard rocker and not as metal as most of the album but it’s a solid album track. The Lyrics seem to be about a toxic relationship and how you treat people can come back to you.
“Song of Evil” - Back to the heavier and darker musical style and is about someone that causes pain and hurt to others and torturing someone. I can’t find any info on what or who it’s inspired by.
“All Guns Blazing” - uptempo classic Saxon type metal style that’s a really good song. About standing your ground and not letting the system wear you down.
“Prisoner” - more melodic than most of the album and while it’s not the big AOR 80s style the chorus does get more melodic while the verses stay heavier and there’s a nice set of solos in the middle. Seems to be about being stuck in a bad relationship and being manipulated and feeling betrayed.
“Piss Off” - an angry straight forward metal track about negativity and how things seem to go wrong just when you think everything is going right.
“Watching You” - A good opening riff and melody. Heavier and good classic metal and lyrically about video surveillance and the lack of privacy from the government watching everything we do.
“Sea of Life” - At eight minutes long it’s one of the longest Saxon songs and musically goes from heavy to softer and slower moments and then picks up the pace again. Talking about morality and destiny of one’s life.
Recap: Following the awesome Unleash the Beast two years earlier this album has a lot of similarities but maybe not quite as great but it’s still very good. Going in to this review I was thinking I was very let down by this album after UTB but after several spins while writing this review this album is a lot better than I remembered.
Favorites songs: Metalhead, Prisoner, All Guns Blazing, Are We Travelers in Time, Sea of Life, Song of Evil.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Killing Ground”, which was the band’s fifteenth studio album. This was the last of two albums to feature drummer Fritz Randow who left the band after this. The album continued to chart well in Germany but also charted in France. The musical style continued the momentum that started with Unleash the Beast four years earlier. A dig-pack version of the album featured a bonus disc of 8 re-recorded versions of 80s Saxon classics that were eventually released as “Heavy Metal Thunder” a few years later.
“Intro” - short instrumental
“Killing Ground” - a driving uptempo metal anthem that’s a great way to start an album and makes me wonder what the point of the “intro” is since it serves no purpose. Lyrically about the crusades but also talking about the brotherhood of warriors fighting for a cause.
“The Court of the Crimson King” - A cover of the King Crimson classic that adds more guitars and makes it more metal and it’s not quite as long. The song is supposedly about oppressors and manipulators such as Government and societal control. Honestly I’m aware of the original but it’s not a song I’ve heard much. This is a good cover but I always wonder if a cover is necessary unless it’s a bonus track.
“Coming Home” - A bluesy 70s early Saxon boogie style rocker that would fit well on the first few albums. About the band touring and being away from loved ones and being able to reunite after being on the road.
“Hell Freezes Over” - A solid album track with a little more melody and not a balls to the wall rocker like much of the album. About overcoming adversity and not surrendering when times are tough.
“Dragons Lair” - Heavy and uptempo and feels like full on 90s Euro power metal both musically and lyrically. Fast paced metal with Biff screaming his lungs out. Nothing deep here just a fantasy based lyric about a quest to find a dragon. Very dungeons and dragons or Hobbit/Lord of the Rings type stuff.
“You Don’t Know What You’ve Got” - A decent groove based hard rock song but the chorus is repeated too many times and overall it’s just an average song for me. Seems to be about someone that’s went through a bad relationship with a deceitful partner and pointing out that other person doesn’t know what they have.
“Deeds of Glory” - A fast paced riff and uptempo drumming drive this track along. The lyrics seem to be a tribute to fallen heroes and historic battles of the past and honoring those that sacrificed their lives for the future.
“Running for the Border” - A good rocker that has a good riff and is about border crossings such as US/Mexico and those adventures over the years for the band with issues from both sides and being bribed to be able to go back. It seems to be just a fun fictional story but probably has some truth behind it .
“Shadows on the Wall” - a darker and atmospheric track that is slower then gets heavier. Telling the story of the invention and use of the Atomic bomb and how horrific it was.
“Rock is our Life” - A good uptempo song to close the album. Nothing fancy but just a solid Saxon style metal song that’s about solidarity in the metal scene. An anthem for fans of heavy metal.
Recap: Another really solid Saxon album. Not as great as UTB but still very good and there’s a lot of good songs and only a couple of fillers.
Favorite songs: Killing Ground, Coming Home, Dragons Lair, Rock is our Life, Shadows on the Wall, Deeds of Glory.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with Lionheart, which was the band’s sixteenth studio album. It is the only studio album featuring drummer Jorg Michael best known for his years in Rage, Axel Rudi Pell, and Stratovarius. The album was a success for the band finally charting in the UK again at #22 in the Rock & Metal album charts. It also charted high in Germany at #44 in the official album chart as well as charting in Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, and France. I remember reading about this release in Classic Rock Magazine at the time and it was actually the first Saxon album I ever purchased although I was aware of the band for many years and knew many classic songs I just never saw their CDs in stores.
“Witchfinder General” - A foot to the floor, fist to the face metal song with Biff screaming his lungs out. This is how to start an album, no intro no instrumental and no fluff but a statement of intent. There’s a cool middle section that almost sounds like a a gathering of witches cackling and then straight into a couple of killer guitar solos. The lyrics tell the story about Matthew Hopkins, a self-appointed Witchfinder General in the mid 1600’s who started a campaign of terror against defenseless women in the English countryside accusing them of being witches. This was before what happened in Salem.
“Man and Machine” - A fast and dirty riff and great drumming from Jorg Michael leads this song that’s uptempo but gets a little melodic at the pre chorus but right back into a faster pace and leads into a short but sweet solo. Classic Saxon balls to the wall type song. This song is about the race car driver Donald Campbell, a British speed record breaker who broke eight absolute world speed records on water and on land in the 1950s and 1960s.
“The Return” - a short intro to the title track.
“Lionheart” - The classic title track that clocks in at almost six minutes. A short intro for about 30 seconds and then kicks in with drums and the rest of the band. A really great song that could have fit on the Crusader album. The lyrics are inspired by a 12th century King of England Richard the Lionheart.
“Beyond the Grave” - A short acoustic intro that morphs into a heavy rhythm section and Biff’s almost spoken word verse into him singing in a normal tone. A darker song both musically and lyrically and some nice melodic style solos in the middle section. The lyrics tell the story of the afterlife and someone trying to reach out to communicate to someone on the other side.
“Justice” - Heavy and faster from the first note with that classic 80s Saxon style but also nice melodic parts leading into the chorus. The lyrics are about standing up against those that are corrupt and could be based on some historical event but seems to be a general story that could be in any time period.
“To Live By The Sword” - Another uptempo track that gets right to the point with a cool riff and fast drumming from Michael. The lyrics seem to be about ancient samurai’s fighting for their shogun or leader.
“Jack Tars” - short instrumental intro.
“English Man ‘O’ War” - Gritty and heavy uptempo classic Saxon metal style with fast blazing guitar solos. Lyrically about the power of the British navy and the history of the warships in battles and the brave crew.
“Searching For Atlantis” - Probably the most melodic song on the album with some great guitar playing. A really good song that adds a little light and shade to offset the uptempo tracks. The lyrics seem to be a general lyric about searching for meaning in life and using the search for the lost city of Atlantis as a comparison.
“Flying on the Edge” - Heavier track that closes the album nicely and is about a true story of a scary plane ride the band was on when the plane had an emergency landing due to bad weather.
Recap: Arguably the bands best album or at least one of the best. I always say Strong Arm is my favorite and that 1980 to 1983 era is untouchable but this album for me is as good as it gets and is the most consistent album they’ve ever released. Great songs, great production, and the great Jorg Michael’s drumming brought an extra energy to this album.
Favorite songs: Witchfinder General, Man and Machine, Lionheart, Searching for Atlantis, English Man ‘O’ War, Beyond the Grave, Justice. There are no fillers on this album.
WES HASKINS
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “The Inner Sanctum”, which was the bands seventeenth studio album. It is the first album to feature drummer Nigel Glockler since 1997's Unleash the Beast. The album seemed to be a success for the band charting in many countries including their home country of the UK at #4 on the Rock and Metal chart. They continued to have success in Germany at #36 on the album chart, as well as charting in France, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland.
“State of Grace” - Uptempo classic Saxon opener. There’s a cool part heading into the solo where Nigel is playing a tribal type drum pattern as a very melodic solo slowly starts and the drums go into double bass as the solo goes on. Kind of cool part in the middle of fast song. Lyrically it’s about an appreciation for ancient structures and buildings specifically religious towers.
“Need for Speed” - A fast and furious balls to the wall metal track. Good drumming and guitars throughout the song. About the thrill of racing and going fast.
“Let Me Feel Your Power” - Classic Saxon upbeat and to the point with great and almost speed metal drumming from Nigel. About the bond between the band and the crowd during a live show.
“Red Star Falling” - A classic track and at six minutes is long for Saxon but it’s worth every second. A slow build that gets heavier and is very emotional both musically and lyrically and some fantastic melodic guitar playing in the middle. Telling the story of the fall of the Soviet Union. The music is almost sad but celebratory at the same time.
“I’ve Got to Rock(To stay Alive)” - Another classic Saxon track that could easily fit into the 80-83 album era. Lyrically about the importance of music keeping them alive and going.
“If I Was You” - A darker track with some cool guitar melodies and solos. It seems like it could be about the consequence of choices and how bad decisions can change the outcome of one’s life and comparing two different lifestyles.
“Going Nowhere Fast” - Old School Saxon style boogie circa 1979/1980. Just rock n roll with cool riffs and a simple but fun track. The lyrics seem to be about being stuck in traffic and unable to get where you want to go.
“Ashes to Ashes” - Heavy and modern day Saxon metal that would fit well on any of the previous four albums. It seems to be about the band not giving up and continuing to move forward over the years while dealing with adversity.
“Empire Rising” - A short intro track.
“Atila The Hun” - Eight minutes of a historical fast metal track that really gives the listener the feeling of being in battle. It reminds me of Maiden’s Alexander the Great in some ways with it being a long closing track and the historical lyrics. Telling the story of the fifth century ruler and his conquests.
Recap: Another really great Saxon album for me. A great mix of straight ahead uptempo classic Saxon mixed some deeper and more meaningful songs with historical lyrics. Special mention for the returning Nigel Glockler whose drumming really stands out and there’s some great solos on here too.
Favorite songs: Red Star Falling, State of Grace, Ashes to Ashes, Need for Speed, Let Me Feel Your Power, Atila the Hun.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Into The Labyrinth”, which was the bands eighteenth studio album. The album features the same lineup on back to back albums for the first time in many years. The album again charted in the US(independent albums), UK rock/metal album charts, German top albums chart, as well French, Swiss, Swedish, and Dutch charts. Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind it has a great sound that still stands up.
“Battalions of Steel” - a six minute fast paced opener that takes a little over a minute to get going but once it does it’s a good metal anthem. Opening with some keyboard atmosphere type sounds and then a tolling of a bell and it’s off to the races. It’s based on the Roman armies marching off the war but it supposedly had a double meaning and could be about Saxon fans.
“Live to Rock” - a good groove and upbeat straight ahead rock song that wouldn’t be out of place on any of the early 80s albums or the early to mid 90s era. Good guitar playing too. Lyrically just seems to be a basic Saxon anthem about celebrating rock n roll.
“Demon Sweeney Todd” - upbeat fast paced rocker
Based on either the 1979 musical or the 2007 movie the story is about the a barber who is a serial killer is exacts his revenge from being wronged himself.
“The Letter” - short intro into the next song.
“Valley of the Kings” - An epic anthemic metal track that’s upbeat but has great melodies and a big chorus. One of my favorite songs on the album. Some great drumming in the middle section that goes into the solos that lifts the song even more. Lyrically talking about the pharaohs and Egyptian mythology.
“Slow Lane Blues” - Blues based rocker with some great guitar playing and a nice change of pace. About driving too fast and breaking the law and the consequences that come with that.
“Crime of Passion” - Heavy and gritty riff oriented rocker. It seems to be about a destructive relationship where they can’t stay away from each other but he knows it’s not going to end well. The lyrics are really bad but I like the music.
“Premonition in D Minor” - short instrumental.
“Voice” - starts slower and is more mid tempo but is a good track. Biff whispering “wake up” in the middle section before the solo is cool. About being resilient in tough times and having that guiding voice to help get them through and most likely from someone that the narrator cared about that passed away.
“Protect Yourselves” - Heavier riff and almost Sabbath influenced at times. It seems to be about the collapse of society or the end of the world and being prepared for it.
“Hellcat” - Upbeat faster paced song with speedy drums and guitar solos. It seems like it could be about a fighter plane in war.
“Come Rock of Ages(The Circle is Complete)” - A cool opening riff then the drums kick in and it’s a good heavier song but with a good melody and chorus. Seems to be kind of sci-fi inspired and also about astronomy but it’s not exactly clear.
“Coming Home(Bottleneck Version)” - bonus track that’s a different version of the song on the “Killing Ground” album.
Recap: A really good album that has a handful or so great songs but overall doesn’t quite reach the heights of Unleash the Beast/Lionheart/The Inner Sanctum. The production by Charlie Bauerfeind is really great. I did play this one a lot when it was released and while it’s not quite as good as the above albums I mentioned it’s still really good.
Favorite songs: Battalions of Steel, Live to Rock, Valley of the Kings, Come Rock of Ages, Demon Sweeney Todd, Slow Lane Blues.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Call to Arms”, which was the bands nineteenth studio album. A throw back to the early albums of 1979 to 1982 with a couple of songs that were a little outside of that style. The album charted in several countries including the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland and overall had great reviews at the time.
“Hammer of the Gods” - Upbeat opener with the classic early 80s Saxon sound. About the Vikings attacking the shoreline of England.
“Back in 79” - a more mid tempo blues based riff and beat. Great chorus and feels like it could easily be on the first few albums. About the beginning of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. An anthem for the history of the band and a golden era of metal history.
“Surviving Against the Odds” - straight forward classic hard rock. Seems to be about a relationship that’s stayed together through tough times and showing perseverance through that.
“Mists of Avalon” - melodic and epic. A little different but still great. Just a really cool theme and melody. Tells the story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake.
“Call to Arms” - slower and almost ballad like at first but still big and anthemic with a great solo in the middle. About soldiers fighting in war away from their loved ones.
“Chasing the Bullet” - Gritty heavy riff and very classic Saxon sounding. It seems to be talking about working in the rat race and working all day and being burned out.
“Afterburner” - Straight ahead fast paced metal right out of the early 80s. Lyrically about fighter jets and modern day warfare.
When Doomsday Comes(Hybrid Theory Soundtrack) - More epic and darker and was later part of the Scintilla supergroup project with Andy Sneap and was in the 2014 movie Scintilla. Some cool melodies and lyrics. Lyrically about the end of the world coming and musically it’s definitely inspired by Deep Purple’s Perfect Strangers.
“No Rest for the Wicked” - Heavier and darker than most of the album and a really good song. Lyrically about the inevitable and consequences of actions. The second of two songs that was later part of the Scintilla project with Andy Sneap in 2014.
“Ballad of the Working Man” - very old school Saxon again. A good groove and rock n roll song. An ode to the average every day workers in the world specifically those in factories and blue collar workers.
“Call to Arms(Orchestral Version)” - A different version of the title track. I’d never want Saxon to do a full Orchestral album but this is a cool version.
Recap: A definite throw back album that seems like they purposely created an album that would fit right into the early days of the band. A pretty great album but at the time I wasn’t as convinced but after a handful of spins I came to appreciate it more and more over the years.
Favorite Songs: Mists of Avalon, No Rest for the Wicked, Call to Arms, When Doomsday Comes, Back in 79, Afterburner, and Hammer of the Gods but I liked every song.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Sacrifice”, the bands twentieth studio album. A heavier and more intense album than the previous album “Call to Arms”. The album charted in several countries including the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Scotland, and Sweden. My copy came with a bonus cd of five extra tracks that includes some re-recordings of older tracks like “Forever Free”, and some great acoustic versions of songs like “Requiem(We Will Remember)” and “Frozen Rainbow”.
“Procession” - instrumental intro
“Sacrifice” - A powerful and heavy opening tune. After the throwback album this felt like a “we’re back” statement. Great song. Lyrically about the history of lost civilizations such as the Aztecs or the Mayans.
“Made in Belfast” - Heavy and fast guitars and drumming. Matching parts of the lyrics about steel workers specifically ship builders, the music mimics the sounds like hammering of steel and has Celtic parts to tie it in with the history of Northern Ireland.
“Warriors of the Road” - Fast paced metal anthem inspired by formula one racing and the high speed danger of racing in general.
“Guardians of the Tomb” - Uptempo faster metal track. About the Terracotta Army in Ancient China which was built to protect the Emperor.
“Stand up and Fight” - Another uptempo track that still has that classic fist in the air classic Saxon metal. Great opening of guitar solos right into fast paced drums and uptempo the rest of the way. About the difficulties of making it in a rock band. A great anthem.
“Walking the Steel” - Good groove and heavy riff. About the workers who rebuilt NYC after the World Trade Center attacks.
“Night of the Wolf” - A little slower at the beginning and then it gets faster and heavier and more aggressive. About the struggle for survival between man and wolves in the wild as the animals stalk their prey.
“Wheels of Terror” - Opens with a heavy and fast riffing and drumming and settles into a good groove then picks up the pace in the middle with a fast solo. Lyrically about the horrors of war and overwhelming military power causing a path of destruction.
“Standing in a Queue” - Very early 80s Saxon style with that classic NWOBHM sound. Gritty RnR song. Talking about the never ending waiting we seem to do in our society in every part of our lives.
Recap: A heavier and more aggressive album than “Call to Arms” and maybe the heaviest album of their career. One of my favorite recent Saxon albums and one that’s really still stands the test of time and I put it up there with Lionheart, Unleash the Beast, and The Inner Sanctum for post 80s Saxon albums.
Favorite songs: Sacrifice, Made in Belfast, Guardians of the Tomb, Night of the Wolf, Walking the Steel, Wheels of Terror, and Warriors of the Road.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Battering Ram”, which was the bands twenty first studio album. Again their albums continued to chart in more and more countries in Europe and moved up the charts in the UK and Germany. This was a tough listen for me at times. It’s not that’s it’s terrible but it just doesn’t hit the mark in the same way as the previous albums had since Unleash the Beast. Several very good songs but several that are just okay for me. While I’m sure I played this a lot when it first released, while getting ready to go through it for this review I couldn’t remember one song. After several spins there are a few stand outs but not near as many as Sacrifice had. The production is also much noisier than I remembered.
“Battering Ram” - Uptempo fast paced track driven by Nigel’s drumming. About a live metal show and how loud and powerful it is. Good opener.
“The Devil’s Footprint” - A darker track that opens with a spoken word before exploding into a barrage of guitars and drums. Solid song and story. Based on folklore from 1855 England where a cloven hoof footprint was scene in the snow and caused mass panic.
“Queen of Hearts” - The riff starts and stops several times making me think the cd was skipping but it eventually all comes together. Heavier and darker again lyrically but a cool song and little different. Inspired by the Alice in Wonderland story. One of my favorite songs on the album.
“Destroyer” - A heavy riffy metal track with a fast pace. The guitar playing is a standout along with Nigel’s drumming. Solid song but lyrically a little repetitive. An apocalyptic sci-fi inspired end of the world story.
“Hard and Fast” - The title says it all. Fast, heavy and hard hitting from the first note. Nothing new or inventive just Saxon style metal. Good but not great.
“Eye of the Storm” - Opens with the sound of thunder setting the tone into a heavier more groove style. Very repetitive chorus and not a lot of variation musically. Just an average song for me. About nature and how it can wreak havoc.
“Stand Your Ground” - Uptempo foot to the floor track. Again it’s repetitive and not trying to reinvent the wheel and is just okay. About overcoming adversity.
“Top of the World” - Very cool melodic track that breaks up some of the heavier tracks. One of the better songs on the album. About climbing Mount Everest and the thrill and danger of that.
“To the End” - A decent groove but the song doesn’t go anywhere and is just kind of monotonous. About camaraderie and loyalty.
“Kingdom of the Cross” - At six minutes a little long and is a slower more melancholic song with spoken word from Biff in the verses and singing in the chorus. A different song but it’s kind of cool as a closing song. It’s about the horrors and tragedy of World War 1.
“Three Sheets to the Wind(The Drinking Song)” - A CD bonus track that’s a fun rock n roll song not to be taken too seriously but it does help the album somewhat considering how serious and heavy most of it is. The lyrics are self explanatory.
Recap: A very heavy album similar to the previous Sacrifice in that way but not near as good and very repetitive lyrically. There’s still some good songs but overall this is probably my least fav from the band from Unleash the Beast to now.
Favorite Songs: Battering Ram, Queen of Hearts, Destroyer, and Top of the World.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Thunderbolt”, which was the bands twenty second studio album. The album charted in seventeen different countries including Japan for the first time in many years and had higher placement in both the UK and Germany than they had seen in decades. I saw them live on this tour opening for Judas Priest along with Black Star Riders.
“Olympus Rising” - Short intro track.
“Thunderbolt” - A heavy classic Saxon style upbeat opener.
About the Gods of Greek Mythology.
“The Secret of Flight” - A very cool song and heavier but still a good melody throughout. About the history of aviation.
“Nosferatu(The Vampire’s Waltz)” - Opens with a church organ sound and into a heavy almost a march. A creepy darker feel musically and Biff adds an extra bit with his sinister vocal. About the arrival of a vampire by ship to a small village and the terror that follows.
“They Played Rock N Roll” - A tribute to Lemmy and Motörhead. Straight ahead rock n roll early Saxon style with blazing solos in the middle.
“Predator” - Uptempo Metal with co-lead vocals from the singer of Amon Amarth. I’m not always crazy about Death Metal vocals but with it underneath Biff’s voice it works here and Nigel’s drumming is killer. About predators in the animal kingdom such as Lions, Tigers, Crocodiles and so on.
“Sons of Odin” - Very power metal like both musically and lyrically and really cool song. While Saxon definitely influenced bands like Hammerfall occasionally those bands were influential to Saxon on songs like this or maybe they are just being inspired by the “Crusader” era. Telling the tale of ancient warriors known as the Sons of Odin.
“Sniper” - Fast paced uptempo track that has a good riff and drumming. Talking about being a Sniper and doing your job without asking questions and being on your own.
“A Wizards Tale” - Heavy drums and a cool melody with some great solos. A fantasy based lyric that seems to focus on the history of Camelot.
“Speed Merchants” - A fast paced uptempo metal song full of guitars and drums. Heavy and fast from the opening note. A similar theme to several songs in the past celebrating the thrill of driving fast and auto racing in general.
“Roadies Song” - A more melodic closing song that’s not quite as heavy as the rest of the album but still rocks. Celebrating the bands roadies that keeps the show going each tour.
Recap: This one surprised me at how good it was and I guess I just didn’t remember loving it as much as I do now. It’s a much better sounding album and has more consistency than the previous album “Battering Ram”.
Favorite songs: Thunderbolt, The Secret of Flight, Nosferatu(The Vampire’s Waltz), Predator, Sniper, and Sons of Odin.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Carpe Diem”, which was the bands twenty third studio album. The album was again produced by Andy Sneap and charted in fifteen different countries including several US charts for the first time in several years. There were four videos released from the album on the bands YouTube channel including
"Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)", "Remember the Fallen", "The Pilgrimage", and "Black Is the Night". Another really solid Saxon album that I kind of forgot about how good it is.
“Carpe Diem(Seize the Day)” -
Good upbeat opening track and a solid song but maybe not quite on the level of other Saxon openers but still very good. It takes a minute to get going with a long instrumental section of drums and keyboard atmosphere and then kicks in. About taking advantage of being alive and living every day to its fullest but also inspired by the Biff’s survival of a heart attack and health issues.
“Age of Steam” - Fast paced and very good track with good guitars. About the Industrial Revolution era.
“The Pilgrimage” - A slower more melodic build to the chorus. A very epic feel with some great guitar solos in the middle section. About the need for people to find meaning and being inspired by visiting places or people on journeys that mean something to their lives.
“Dambusters” - Fast and upbeat three plus minute classic Saxon song. Good riff and fast drumming. Telling the story of the WWII 1943 mission of the Dambusters squadron where the British Royal Air Force’s bombing of German dams.
“Remember the Fallen” - A big epic feel and very memorable and kind of sad song. A tribute to those that passed during the Covid pandemic.
“Super Nova” - Fast and furious from the start with Biff trying to keep up with the drums and guitars. Saxon do these type of songs so well. It seems to be about physics and astronomy describing an actual Super Nova.
“Lady in Gray” - A more groove type opening based around a heavy riff and then a more melodic bridge and into the chorus. Good solos in the middle. A fantasy based lyric about a ghost story of an apparition haunting a castle.
“All for One” - Upbeat and fast paced. Nothing original and standard Saxon but still very solid. The solos do help take it up a notch. Lyrically about camaraderie and staying together as a brotherhood.
“Black is the Night” - Heavier and really a great riff and drumming and one of the most intense songs on the album. Love the solos that are more melodic and slows the heaviness of the song and adds some light and shade to the track. About the sunless days in the northernmost parts of the world and the struggle it can be living in days of darkness.
“Living on the Limit” - Fast and upbeat like a fast moving train on the track or bus going down the Highway and a good way to end the album. Short and sweet and doesn’t stay at the party too long. Lyrically about living life up to the limit and getting as much as possible out of every day.
Recap: Great sound on the production and mix and most every song is very good to great and a very epic looking album cover that could tie into many historical Saxon songs. The album had some darker layers that were supposedly inspired by the COVID era and not being able to do anything for a year or so.
Favorite Songs: Carpe Diem, Remember the Fallen, The Pilgrimage, Age of Steam, Super Nova, Black is the Night, and Lady in Grey.
Wes Haskins
Contributer
Continuing my way through the Saxon catalog with “Hell, Fire, and Damnation”, which is the bands twenty fourth studio album and their last album up to this point. This was the first album with new guitarist Brian Tatler(Diamond Head) with Paul Quinn retiring from the band although Paul has a solo on two songs. Again Andy Sneap handled the production and mixing and the album continued to chart well hitting the charts in 14 different countries. This album released in early part of 2024 and I had just had a bad run of health and was recovering from a couple of surgeries but do remember playing this one a lot at that time and it was one of a handful of early 2024 releases I played a lot in the first few months of the year.
“The Prophecy” - Instrumental intro.
“Hell, Fire, and Damnation” - Heavy and upbeat opener with a good chorus. Full of biblical references and basically telling a story of good vs evil.
“Madame Guillotine” - Heavy and darker feel. Written from the perspective of the guillotine itself describing what it has done through history and what it will do.
“Fire and Steel” - Fast paced foot to the floor three plus minute track. Really standout guitar playing throughout. Good melody right in the middle break leading into the solos. Paying tribute to the industrial heritage of Sheffield.
“There’s Something in Roswell” - A heavy groove and good drums with melodic solos. Focusing on the UFO incident in 1947 in Roswell New Mexico.
“Kubla Khan and the Merchant of Venice” - Heavy but more melodic at the pre chorus and very cool song. About exploration and specifically about Marco Polo’s travel to the Silk Road to see the Mongol Emperor Kubla Khan.
“Pirates of the Airwaves” - Very early 80s Saxon style and good song. A tribute to the pirate off shore radio stations of the 1960s.
“1066” - Upbeat and faster paced track with a nice melodic solos in the middle that adds a different feel. About the Norman conquest of England and the fall of King Harold and the Saxons.
“Witches of Salem” - It opens with screams of women being rounded up accused of being witches and that sets the tone for this darker and creepy sounding metal track. Good solos and Biff tells the story about the Salem witch trials.
“Super Charger” - Upbeat and in your face from the first note. a good way to end the album with a faster paced song with blazing solos included. It seems to be about drag racing.
Recap: The loss of original member Paul Quinn can’t be understated but his replacement Brian Tatler is a legend in his own right and his playing adds a bit of extra fire to this album. Overall this is a very strong album and one that still sounds great more than two years later.
Favorite songs: “Hell, Fire, and Damnation”, “Madame Guillotine”, “Fire and Steel”, “1066”, “Witches of Salem”, “Super Charger”, and “Something in Roswell” but I liked every song..
Wes Haskins
Contributer