Saxon ~ England

Saxon (1979)

If you look at the listen dates, you'd think I haven't heard this album since I was in high school. I know that's not right, but have I heard it since the late 90s? Nope, probably not.

Saxon's debut was one of the first metal import albums for me to purchase. European imports were very expensive back then, at least for a pauper like me whose sole income at the time came from a summer job working in an industrial warehouse (in Dallas no less - unbearable heat). At minimum wage which was bupkis in 1982. So every dollar spent had to count. I was looking for heavier, faster, and meaner metal on each purchase. And with that cover of a blood soaked sword, I figured I was in safe territory.

Uh, no. What a strange album Saxon's opening move is. Like I say about Manilla Road's early works, this is Saxon before they were Saxon, if that makes sense. With the opening two tracks titled 'Rainbow Theme' and 'Frozen Rainbow', you'd think they were some kind of psychy prog band. And it's not really that far from the truth. It's not until A3 that you hear the first riffs, though definitely more hard rock than anything metal. 'Judgement Day' is another song that has psychedelic overtones, and is my pick for best track, unrepresentative as it may be. 'Stallions of the Highway' is the first sign of the blueprint Saxon were to follow on their next three albums. Mid-paced biker metal with solid riffing and good solos. B4 is another example of this.

This is a very special album to me for the time and place aspect, and the history as noted above. But for musical content, it's borderline passable. I wouldn't give it much credence had I discovered this album for the first time today.

Ownership: 1979 Carrere France (LP). Acquired in 1982.

1982; 5/25/26 (review)  

Unleash the Beast (1997)

I was an early adopter to Saxon, having bought their quirky debut album, followed by Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law, and Denim and Leather. And that was it for me. Didn't even follow the band out of high school. It was only within the last seven years that I completed their early 80s classic run with a purchase of Power & The Glory (LP). What they did after that, I really don't know. I've certainly read a lot. It's apparent that Saxon made a go at "capturing" the US market, to no avail (as to be expected). And at some point in the mid 90s, got back on their (iron) horse and went about making music in their former early 80s NWOBHM style, but updated to modern heavy standards.

From my perspective, one of the issues that plagues Saxon is their image and moniker. If one didn't know better (and I didn't at first either), you'd think Saxon to be a band similar to Manilla Road, capturing the ethos of Medieval times, and creating mysterious semi-progressive heavy metal. Nope. Saxon are a biker band, through and through. A creative one, yes, but they're very much in your face metal. 

If Unleash the Beast (1997) is an example of what I can expect to hear going forward, then I'm in store for at least 11 more great albums! Band leader and lead singer Byff Byford is now 70 years old, and by all accounts, he hasn't lost a step. And right next him is his trusty aide and guitarist Paul Quinn, of which the same can be said. Right from the get of the title track, you'll know that Saxon are back from the grave, and packing heat! Every track here is classic NWOBHM music: Melodic, yet heavy riffing, with high quality guitar solos. Byford sounds like Byford, his distinctive higher pitched voice soaring peacefully (he's no screecher) over the racket underneath. Unleash the Beast is yet another pleasant surprise. Obviously I need to hang out more in the CD bins to see if I can find more of this! Interestingly enough, this is the only Saxon album I own - or have ever owned - on CD.

Ownership: 2007 SPV (CD). The hype sticker is hilarious: "Bonus Tracks, Unseen Photos, Liner Notes, Original Artwork, New Booklet!" OK, the last two are probably fair. Bonus tracks? Yes, there are two three minute live cuts. Liner notes? A very small paragraph written by Byford. Unseen photos? There's only one photo! lol. Acquired in 2021.

3/7/21 (review) 

Also own: Wheels of Steel; Strong Arm of the Law; Denim and Leather; Power & The Glory

3/7/21 (new entry)