By Monk
As they enter their sixth decade laying down the law, heavy metal style, it is a task of Mission Impossible proportions to write something new about one of the bands who have been the true cornerstones of the genre for longer than many fans have been alive, other than to say that if any proof were needed that they remain one of the most indomitable and dominant forces around then no further evidence need be presented than this imperious recording of their show-stealing performance at last year’s Hellfest shebang.
One thing that this collection proves is that Saxon have not survived this long without knowing their audience -and how to play to them. While ostensibly in the midst of the touring cycle in support of their 24th studio album, ‘Hell, Fire And Damnation‘, only two songs from said opus are featured – the hard-hitting title track which sees the band hitting the stage with their ever youthful verve and vigour (this review, it must be noted, is based on the official Hellfest video of the set) and evoking a similarly energetic response from the crowd, and the (then current) single ‘Madame Guillotine’.
The rest of the set is a total crowd pleasing run through all their greatest ‘bangers and pops, from a journey on the pillion of the ‘Motorcycle Man’ to experiencing the ‘Power And The Glory’ of some proper ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’, donning our ‘Denim And Leather’ to mount our ‘Wheels Of Steel’ on a final ride on the ‘Princess Of The Night’.
This is another set of exactly what you would expect from a band of the experience and prestige of Saxon: precise and co-ordinated, with each member of the collective knowing exactly what job they have to do, and doing so with the sort of practised professionalism only such pedigree champions can deliver, while at the same time exhibiting the same joyful enthusiasm they possessed when they first set out down the long road to wherever it would lead them.
The heavy metal eagle still flies high, and obviously will continue to soar for some considerable time to come. \m/
- ‘Eagles Over Hellfest‘ will be released on Friday (13 June).
- Saxon bring their ‘Hell, Fire And Steel‘ tour, which will see them play their classic ‘Wheels Of Steel’ album in its entirety, to the ÜK and Ireland for ten dates in November:
