Early Days:
Formed in 1976 as Son of a Bitch, and renaming themselves Saxon two years later, the Yorkshire five-piece started to see success from their eponymous debut album, and their second album Wheels Of Steel, released in 1980, hit the UK charts at an impressive number five. Follow ups Strong Arm Of The Law (also 1980) and Denim And Leather (1981) were equally as impressive and successful, with both the albums packed with utterly classic heavy metal anthems.
1984’s Crusader was a big hit in the USA for the group, however some critics noted that the band’s sound had been slightly polished to appeal to the American audiences – a sentiment only furthered by the following albums Innocence Is No Excuse and Rock The Nations.
Lean Years and Comeback:
Like most of their contemporaries, the '90s were a bad time for Saxon, and regardless of how strong their output was, beginning from 1988’s Destiny onwards things took a downhill turn for Saxon in North America. But while in the U.S. Saxon’s success might have dwindled to a cult-status, in Europe the band are still a big live draw, having played at Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock and Monsters of Rock, and have consistently toured the continent and the United Kingdom.
With their 2011 album Call To Arms debuting in the German and Sweden Top 20, and 19 studio albums deep into their career, Saxon have proven that they have a lot of quality material left up their sleeves.
If You Like Saxon, You Might Also Want To Check Out:
Current Saxon Band Members:
Paul Quinn – Guitar
Doug Scarratt - Guitar
Nibbs Carter - Bass
Nigel Glocker – Drums
Former Band Members:
Pete Gill – Drums (1977-1981)
Graham Oliver – Guitars (1977-1995)
Fritz Randow - Drums (1998-2004)
Jörg Michael – Drums (2004-2005)
Saxon Discography:
1980 Wheels of Steel (EMI Music)
1980 Strong Arm of the Law (Carrere)
1981 Denim and Leather (Carrere)
1983 Power & The Glory (Carrere)
1984 Crusader (Carrere)
1985 Innocence Is No Excuse (EMI Music)
1986 Rock the Nations (EMI Music)
1988 Destiny (EMI Music)
1991 Solid Ball of Rock (Virgin Records)
1992 Forever Free (Virgin Records)
1995 Dogs of War (Virgin Records)
1997 Unleash The Beast (CMC International)
1999 Metalhead (Steamhammer Records)
2001 Killing Ground (Steamhammer Records)
2004 Lionheart (Steamhammer Records)
2007 The Inner Sanctum (SPV)
2009 Into The Labyrinth (SPV)
2011 Call to Arms (EMI)
Recommended Saxon Album:
A stone-cold classic metal album, Saxon’s sophomore 1980 release is nine tracks of pure, straight up heavy metal. The (fittingly) foot-to-the-floor opening track “Motorcycle Man” is a roaring way to kick of the album, while “747 (Strangers in the Night) and the title track are total fist pumping anthems. Basically, if you need to know what NWOBHM is about, Wheels Of Steel is the first album you need to grab.
