Artist: Saxon
Label: SPV Records
Release: 2002
Rating: 4/5
How do you mix business with pleasure? The Byford/Quinn/Carter/Scarat/Randow lineup decided to release the old steel repertoire from the period between 1980 (the “Wheels Of Steel” record) and 1984 (the “Power & Glory” record). But this is no “best of” at all, it’s Saxon classics played anew, and that’s why they sound totally fresh. Slightly rearranged songs, especially when it comes to the solos, the outros and the intros, hit harder than any official version of theirs so far. A full hour of live-sounding blasting, featuring e.g. the title track, then “Denim & Leather”, “Dallas 1PM” (a killer opening section), “Crusader”, “Wheels Of Steel”, “747 (Strangers In The Night)”, “Backs To The Wall”, “Princess Of The Night” plus five more classics, shows off the outstanding sound of the current lineup, its energy and its perfect tightness.
Fritz Randow has enriched the rhythm section by weaving double bass drum beautifully through the songs, along with some truly genius transitions. The production carries on the sound of “Killing Ground”. In short, it’s the real Saxon, or in other words, old-school old tomcats in a new outfit: bouncy, lively and witty. This selected repertoire still graces the band’s live shows on their tours today.
The only thing that spoils the whole package is the bonus CD. Why a bonus CD? Because “Heavy Metal Thunder” is advertised as a double CD that you can buy anywhere for the price of one. So any price above 3,799.00 SIT (damn inflation, give us a raise already too, if you’re going to ape EU standards!!!) is a total rip-off by the retailers, not worth a tolar more. The live bootleg is a complete dud. At least SPV realized that much and didn’t jack up the price. Okay, okay, don’t make me spell it out. I know. You can’t expect some divine sound from a live bootleg, but I haven’t had the chance to hear an official live bootleg sound this bad in a long time. I can sum up the bootleg’s sound in two words: Biff’s monologue. The guitars are totally chopped up and shoved into the background. Still, you can make out how incredibly tight the band is on stage. I’m properly furious at Saxon over this. The guitars on stage are pure poetry, thirds played with micron-level precision, transitions, harmonies, everything. You can hear all of it, sadly really poorly, but just enough to drive you nuts. The two guitars complement each other perfectly. But sound-wise they’re sadly lukewarm. The crowd is almost inaudible too, and it’s downright funny when Biff talks to the audience and you have to strain your eardrums to the limit to catch the crowd’s reaction. Putting out this bonus CD is a totally unnecessary move by the band (the label?).
The thirteen re-recorded classics came out phenomenal, and those of you who come into contact with them will have a hard time ever spinning the original versions of these songs from the official releases again.
Lineup
Biff Byford – vocals
Paul Quinn – guitar
Doug Scarratt – guitar
Nibbs Carter – bass guitar
Fritz Randow – drums
Production
Biff Byford & Saxon
Track List
Disc: 1
1. Heavy Metal Thunder (4:13)
2. Strong Arm Of The Law (4:24)
3. Power & The Glory (5:57)
4. And The Bands Played On (2:52)
5. Crusader (6:38)
6. Dallas 1pm (6:36)
7. Princess Of The Night (4:10)
8. Wheels Of Steel (5:53)
9. 747 (Strangers In The Night) (5:01)
10. Motorcycle Man (3:46)
11. Never Surrender (3:35)
12. Denim & Leather (5:19)
13. Backs To The Wall (3:07)
Album length: 61:27
Disc: 2 (BONUS DISC)
1. Broken Heroes
2. Dragon’s Lair
3. The Eagle Has Landed
4. 20,000 FT.
5. Crusader
(tracks 1 – 5 recorded live in San Antonio, Texas USA 2002 – official bootleg)
6. Killing Ground
(video track – Live at Wacken 2001)
