When it comes to bona fide classic metal, through the likes of IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH & SAXON, England can boast bombastically from the rooftops (flags waving, battleaxes in hand and denim and leather at the helm.) SAXON – the star attraction at this particular time of writing – may not have the sheer financial clout and fanbase of some of their friendly competitors, but make no mistake, when it comes to all out passion, glory and live peformance, SAXON are just as attractive a proposition on the big stage as any of the aforementioned bands.

This sold out gig – wonderfully supported by the magnificent DORO – is an awesome spectacle and a true definition of metal defined (in a word, SAXON). DORO was the perfect fit in terms of a support act for SAXON. The German blonde bombshell delivered a powerful 45 minute set, packed with classic heavy metal from her days with crout stalwarts WARLOCK (‘Burning The Witches’ and ‘All We Are’), and a few choice numbers from a solo career that has kept her popularity high, especially in her homeland. A re-worked cover of ‘Breaking The Law’ also did wanders to warm up the Wolverhampton faithful.

So on to SAXON, coming on stage with the bombastic ‘Battalions of Steel’ (first track from new album ‘Into The Labrynith’), it sets the scene for a set that no true metal fan should miss. Laden with a whole host of trademark SAXON classics (‘Crusader’, ‘Wheels Of Steel’, ’747 Strangers In the Night’, ‘Strong Arm Of The Law’ etc.). SAXON vary their set every night, and they always ask their fans what they want to hear. Also, SAXON have such an array of heavyweight ‘newer’ material from the last decade or so that you don’t actually miss the odd vintage or two.

In regard to ‘Into The Labryinth’ material live, its a stunning thumbs up. ‘Hellcat’ bristles with angst and metal adolesance, while new single ‘Live To Rock’ follows on from the storming ‘I’ve Got To Rock To Stay Alive’ as another of hard rocks greatest tracks of the last ten years. But that’s not all – ‘Demon Sweeny Todd’ features a face melting riff and trademark Biff ‘screamer’ Byford vocals, while ‘Valley Of The Kings’ features a wonderfully Euro-rock chorus that SAXON pull off magnificiantly, fortunately with 90% less pomposity than a lot of bands who make these kind of tracks their forte. A different one stylistically for SAXON, but a success story nevertheless. The other big highlight of the night was hearing ‘Ride Like The Wind’ – a long lost SAXON gem from the 80′s that the band hasn’t played since the bands late 80′s fall into meer obscurity.

Biff Byford is an absolute powerhouse – as both frontman and vocalist. Outside of his obvious power and range, Biff has an amazingly mellow tone to his voice which, coupled with his heavy metal thunder, really has to be experienced to be believed. Like his band, he doesn’t drop a note. SAXON deserve respect for been such a tight metal outfit, who give their 100% all – if you asked me what band I wanted to see tomorrow – in spite of the fact they aren’t my favourite band – I would still answer SAXON. By all accounts, SAXON deserve to be superstars. But for a few 80′s musical misomeaners, they probably would have been, too…

Ratings:

Review by Andy Law

Photography by Alexander Shaw(click here)