1997 finds Saxon as vibrant and powerful as ever with the release of Unleash The Beast. Even after almost two decades of worldwide success, the quintessential British metal band still delivers on the promise that prompted Record World magazine to pronounce that Saxon "demonstrate the loudest, heaviest, most thrilling and most blood curdling Heavy Metal." That praise comes from 1980, but little has changed in the band's deep rooted commitment to a Heavy Metal sound it helped pioneer.
Founded as Son Of A Bitch in 1976 with a core of vocalist Biff Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn, the group soon changed it's name to the present less offensive moniker an immediately established itself as a driving force within the highly touted and influential new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM). Albums such as Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm Of The Law were watersheds in the band's early career, leading to 1983's Power & The Glory, which received a perfect 10 in the recently published "Collector's Guide To Heavy Metal." Each release made noise on album charts around the world proportionate to the volume the band lived for.
As the years go by, Saxon continues to be a force on the international Heavy Metal scene, securing praise for its ability to consistently release classic Heavy Metal albums - thirteen in all, plus a handful of live releases and long form videos. The band's longevity is noted by the likes of Spinal Tap director Rob Reiner, who studied Saxon as consummate "lifers" unafraid to waver from its integrity despite passing fashion trends, and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, who paid homage to the band's influence by including "Motorcycle Man" on his introspective compilation of NWOBHM. In fact of the NWOBHM movement's many significant acts, few can claim tenures and influence equal to Saxon.
On Unleash The Beast, newcomer Doug Scarrat plays off veteran Quinn's fiery riffs on melodic yet crunchy tunes such as "Terminal Velocity" and the stomping title track. Meanwhile, the rhythm section of drummer Nigel Glockler (who dates back to '81 with the band) and bassist Nibbs Carter (an alumnus since 1988) plays a tangible part as well, especially on the experimental "Cut Out The Disease" and the self explanatory "All Hell Breaking Loose" Holding it all together is Byford's introspective lyrics (see the lamenting "Absent Friends") and always sering vocal prowess.
Saxon has attained legendary status by holding true to the spirit of Heavy Metal. The band could have contented itself to rest on its laurels, knowing full well the impact its music has had on two generations of metal fans. Instead, with Unleash The Beast, Biff and company put out perhaps the finest albumin its entire glorious history. The legacy continues...
 |
SAXON 1979Track list: 1. The Rainbow Theme 2. Frozen Rainbow 3. Big Teaser 4. Judgement Day 5. Stallions Of The Highway 6. Backs To The Wall 7. Still Fit To Boogie 8. Militia Guard Lineup: Vocals - Peter "Biff" Byford, Guitar - Paul "Blute" Quinn, Guitar - Graham "Oly" Oliver, Bass - Steve "Dobby" Dawson, Drums - Pete "Frank" Gill |
 |
WHEELS OF STEEL 1980Track list: 1. Motorcycle Man 2. Stand Up And Be Counted 3. 747 (Strangers In The Night) 4. Wheels Of Steel 5. Freeway Mad 6. See The Light Shining 7. Street Fighting Gang 8. Suzie Hold On 9. Machine Gun Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Pete Gill |
 |
STRONG ARM OF THE LAW 1980Track list: 1. Heavy Metal Thunder 2. To Hell And back Again 3. Strong Arm Of The Law 4. Taking Your Chances 5. 20,000 Ft 6. Hungry Years 7. Sixth Form Girls 8. Dallas 1pm Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Pete Gill Notes: Worldwide version, has white cover and different track arrangement. |
 |
STRONG ARM OF THE LAW 1980Track list: 1. Dallas 1pm 2. Strong Arm Of The Law 3. Sixth Form Girls 4. Hungry Years 5. Heavy Metal Thunder 6. Taking Your Chances 7. To Hell And back Again 8. 20,000 Ft Notes: US version. Has black cover and different track arrangement. |
 |
DENIM AND LEATHER 1981Track list: 1. Princess Of The Night 2. Never Surrender 3. Out Of Control 4. Rough And Ready 5. Play It Loud 6. And The Bands Played On 7. Midnight Rider 8. Fire In The Sky 9. Denim And Leather Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Pete Gill |
 |
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED 1982Track list: 1. Motorcycle Man 2. 747 (Strangers In The Night) 3. Princess Of The Night 4. Strong Arm Of The Law 5. Heavy Metal Thunder 6. 20,000 FT 7. Wheels Of Steel 8. Never Surrender 9. Fire In The Sky 10. Machine Gun Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
POWER & THE GLORY 1983Track list: 1. Power And The Glory 2. Redline 3. Warrior 4. Nightmare 5. This Town Rocks 6. Watching The Sky 7. Midas Touch 8. The Eagle Has Landed 9. Suzie Hold On Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: Midas Touch was only on the non US release. Suzie Hold On was only on the US/Canadian Release |
 |
CRUSADER 1984Track list: 1. Sailing To America 2. Just Let Me Rock 3. Bad Boys (Like To Rock 'N' Roll) 4. Do It All For You 5. Set Me Free 6. The Crusader Prelude 7. Crusader 8. A Little Bit Of What You Fancy 9. Rock City 10. Run For Your Lives Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: Different track arrangement for the US/Canadian Version |
|
CRUSADER 1984Track list: 1. The
Crusader Prelude 2. Crusader 3. A Little Bit Of What You
Fancy 4. Sailing To America 5. Set Me Free 6. Just Let Me
Rock 7. Bad Boys (Like To Rock 'N' Roll) 8. Do It All For
You 9. Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: Different track arrangement for the UK/Worldwide Version |
 |
INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE 1985Track list: 1. Rockin'
Again 2. Call Of The Wild 3. Back On The Streets 4. Devil
Rides Out 5. Rock 'N' Roll Gypsy 6. Broken Heroes Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
ROCK THE NATIONS 1986Track list: 1. Rock The Nations 2. Battle Cry 3. Waiting For The Night 4. We Came Here To Rock 5. You Ain't No Angel 6. Running Hot 7. Party 'Til You Puke 8. Empty Promises 9. Northern Lady Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Paul Johnson, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
DESTINY 1988Track list: 1. Ride Like The Wind 2. Where The Lightning Strikes 3. I Can't Wait Anymore 4. Calm Before The Storm 5. S.O.S. 6. Song For Emma 7. For Whom The Bell Tolls 8. We Are Strong 9. Jericho Siren 10. Red Alert Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Paul Johnson, Drums - Nigel Glockner, Keyboards- Steven Lawes-Clifford |
 |
ROCK N ROLL GYPSIES 1989Track list: 1. Power And The Glory 2. And The Bands Played On 3.Rock The Nations 4. Dallas 1PM 5. Broken Heroes 6. Battle Cry 7. Rock 'N' Roll Gypsy 8. Northern Lady 9. I Can't Wait Anymore 10. This Town Rocks 11. The Eagle Has Landed 12. Just Let Me Rock Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: Live album |
 |
SOLID BALL OF ROCK 1990Track list: 1. Solid Ball Of Rock 2. Altar Of The Gods 3. Requiem (We Will Remember) 4. Lights In The Sky 5. I Just Can't Get Enough 6. Baptism Of Fire 7. Ain't Gonna Take It 8. I'm On Fire 9. Overture In B-Minor/Refugee 10. Bavarian Rhapsody 11. Crash Drive 12. Requiem (We Will Remember) (Single Version)* 13. Reeperbahn Stomp* Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: *Japanese bonus tracks |
 |
FOREVER FREE 1992Track list: 1. Forever Free 2. Hole In The Sky 3. Just Wanna Make Love To You 4. Get Down And Dirty 5. Iron Wheels 6. One Step Away 7. Can't Stop Rockin' 8. Nighthunter 9. Grind 10. Cloud Nine Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: US version |
 |
FOREVER FREE 1992Track list: 1. Forever Free 2. Hole In The Sky 3. Just Wanna Make Love To You 4. Get Down And Dirty 5. Iron Wheels 6. One Step Away 7. Can't Stop Rockin' 8. Nighthunter 9. Grind 10. Cloud Nine Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner Notes: UK/Worldwide Version |
 |
DOGS OF WAR 1995Track list: 1. Dogs Of War 2. Burning Wheels 3. Don't Worry 4. Big Twin Rolling (Coming Home) 5. Hold On 6. The Great White Buffalo 7. Demolition Alley 8. Walking Through Tokyo 9. Give It All Away 10. Yesterday's Gone Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED PART II 1996Track list DISC 1: 1. Intro/Warlord 2. Dogs Of War 3. Forever Free 4. Requiem (We Will Remember) 5. Crusader 6. Lights In The Sky 7. Iron Wheels 8. Ain't Gonna Take It 9. Crash Drive 10. Refugee...DISC 2: 1. Solid Ball Of Rock 2. Great White Buffalo 3. The Eagle Has Landed 4. Princess Of The Night 5. Can't Stop Rockin' 6. Denim And Leather 7. Wheels Of Steel /Demolition Alley Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Doug Scarratt, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
LIVE AT DONNINGTON 1997Track list: 1. Motorcycle Man 2. Still Fit To Boogie 3. Freeway Mad 4. Backs To The Wall 5. Wheels Of Steel 6. Bap Shoo Ap 7. 747 (Strangers In The Night) 8. Stallions Of The Highway 9. Machine Gun 10. Backstage Interview * Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Pete Gill Notes: Recorded Live 8/16/80 at Castle Donnington at the Monsters of Rock Festival UK. Track 10 doesn't appear on the CD |
 |
LIVE AT DONNINGTON 1997Track list: 1. Motorcycle Man 2. Still Fit To Boogie 3. Freeway Mad 4. Backs To The Wall 5. Wheels Of Steel 6. Bap Shoo Ap 7. 747 (Strangers In The Night) 8. Stallions Of The Highway 9. Machine Gun 10. Backstage Interview * Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Graham Oliver, Bass - Steve Dawson, Drums - Pete Gill Notes: Recorded Live 8/16/80 at Castle Donnington at the Monsters of Rock Festival UK. Track 10 doesn't appear on the CD. Alternate album cover |
 |
UNLEASH THE BEAST 1997Track list: 1. Gothic Dreams 2. Unleash The Beast 3. Terminal Velocity 4. Circle Of Light 5. The Thin Red Line 6. Ministry Of Fools 7. The Preacher 8. Bloodletter 9. Cut Out The Disease 10. Absent Friends (Song For J.J.) 11. All Hell Breaking Loose Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Doug Scarratt, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Nigel Glockner |
 |
METALHEAD 1999Track list: 1. Metalhead 2. Are We Travellers In Time 3. Conquistador 4. What Goes Around 5. Song Of Evil 6. All Guns Blazing 7. Prisoner 8. Piss Off 9. Watching You 10. Sea Of Life Lineup: Vocals - Biff Byford, Guitar - Paul Quinn, Guitar - Doug Scarratt, Bass - Nibbs Carter, Drums - Fritz Randow |
Email: Masters Of Metal