I know it’s not like they’re unknowns, so I’m not trying to be controversial, but I’m never quite sure Saxon get the credit they deserve.
As far as I’m concerned, they’ll always be in the Premier League with Maiden and Priest. And if you want proof, listen to this:
Basically, it goes like this—last year they went to Hellfest Festival and recorded it. Sorted.
What else do you need to know? Not a lot, actually, because no one does Saxon better than Saxon do.
And they’ve been doing it for half a century. The first two tracks underline that. “Hell Fire and Damnation” is from their latest record. “Motorcycle Man” (complete with that whistle Biff Byford can seemingly do at the drop of a hat) is from 1980. Both sound as fresh as daisies.
Byford produces here and reckons the setlist is “epic.” He’s not wrong. A brilliant mix from “Power and the Glory” to the chugging new one, “Madame Guillotine”—they’re all here.
As much as they give due attention to the new stuff, they understand their heritage better than most. From the fast and furious “Heavy Metal Thunder” to genuine classics like “Dallas 1PM,” they just keep coming.
And this backs up the point I made at the top. When the gold starts, it doesn’t stop. Cinematic and expansive like “The Eagle Has Landed,” or a surprisingly groovy “Strong Arm of the Law,” these songs absolutely sparkle.
Having Brian Tatler in the band these days is perfect—not only is he a fabulous guitarist, but he’s steeped in this sound. It’s easy to imagine him once singing along to “…And the Bands Played On” in the audience, never mind playing it on stage.
There’s something completely irresistible about “Denim and Leather,” no matter how often you hear it. And why? Because we’re all fans. We’re all in this together—and they know it.
There are songs they have to play, of course. “Wheels of Steel” and “747 (Strangers in the Night)”—and when they do, they’re still marvellous things.
Byford hams it up like the old pro he is: “We’ve got time for one more… OK, two more? What about three more?” And “Crusader” is the second one of them—power metal before that was even a thing.
As ever, they finish with the slashing “Princess of the Night,” and as ever, it distills heavy metal to its purest form.
Just like they always do, it must be said. If any band understands what brought us all together—and has remained true to it over the years—it’s this one.
“Eagles Over Hellfest” absolutely soars. And if, like us, you weren’t there, you missed out by the sound of it.
Rating: 8.5/10
