Denim and Leather

It is not easy to write about an album which was released 42 years ago. Apart from the personal taste, we can be take some things concerning “Denim and Leather” for sure. Together with “Wheels…” and “Strong Arm…”, it was part of the very influential trio. Just look at the song titles. From today’s perspective, each and every one sounds like a general heavy metal motto. Furthermore, Saxon did not feel a lack of creativity in 1980 / 1981. Three full-lengths in 18 months speak a clear language. No doubt, Saxon profited from the NWOBHM, but this phenomenon profited from Saxon too.

Anyway, the NWOBHM is a thing of the past and only grandpas still find it exciting, exceptions confirm the rule. If you think I want to call a lot of its music pretty lame, then you are simply right. “Denim and Leather” is historically interesting, but in terms of music it does not make my day. Okay, it holds some crispy guitars, for example in “Rough and Ready” and in particular in the comparatively heavy “Princess of the Night” or “Fire in the Sky” (greetings from Deep Purple at this point). But there is also a relatively high number of songs that appear quite harmless. Maybe the band did not have the courage to let their inner beasts out, but this mix of hard rock, a soft form of heavy metal and an AC/DC riff every now and then does not result in a more or less aggressive metal album. But perhaps the solos were a celebration of pure dissonance back in 1981 or the use of electric guitars was per se suspect. I don’t know, but what I know is that the of course conventionally arranged songs come and go without leaving a remarkable effect.

Of course, a pretty smart and compact track like “And the Bands Played On” has a certain charm, but it is almost hidden under a thick layer of dust. Okay, what I really appreciate is that Saxon did not integrate a kitschy ballad and I also want to show my respect for their pioneering work at the beginning of the golden metallic decade. However, this is not enough to praise the album wholeheartedly. By the way, there is a surprising fact in my humble opinion: Biff’s voice is less charismatic than on (much) later releases. Here he is just an acceptable singer, but I would not call his performance expressive.

It goes without saying that the closing title track mobilised a lot of people to make the previously hidden metal empire more and more visible. Nevertheless, I do not like its verses with the mediocre riff very much and the lame and vapid chorus ends in the middle of nowhere. Be that as it may, the album fulfilled its purpose in terms of making metal greater – and making some money. If there is a hidden champion, it’s “Midnight Rider” with its long instrumental part where the guitars enjoy a touch of freedom without hurting the song as a whole. Therefore I don’t want to be too harsh and, as I said before, maybe it is not fair to review an album after this long time. Yet more than 55% would not reflect my personal opinion, even though I take the positive objective aspects of the album into consideration. But I also cannot ignore that “Strong Arm..:” has withstood the test of time in a much better way.

It’s hard to believe the boisterously titled Denim and Leather, released in 1981 and therefore only two years after Saxon’s self-titled debut album, was already the band’s fourth full-length studio recording. Then again, young up-and-coming bands releasing studio albums in quick succession was not out of the norm in the olden days, when a band selling lots of records could still make a decent buck—unlike today, when generally lower record sales will force musicians striving to make a living to tour almost endlessly in order to make their art at least somewhat profitable.

Denim and Leather was of course released during the heyday of the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal and can only be judged properly within the context of that seminal era in the history of heavy metal. Younger metalheads eager to learn more about the roots of the genre and deciding to give some of the ol’ classics a spin might initially have a hard time getting into this, because compared to metal music of more recent provenance, stuff like Denim and Leather might actually sound rather tame. With the advances in recording technology and the genre’s propensity to constantly become heavier, faster and louder, a lot of the metal put out in the early eighties may sound only half as menacing today as it did some forty years ago. Heck, even Saxon’s own studio output since about the mid 1990s sounds heavier than their classic early stuff, which from today’s perspective often comes across more like biker-themed hard rock rather than pure heavy metal.

Then again, even while acknowledging that four decades have gone by, there’s no denying that Denim and Leather, at least next to slightly more muscular early releases such as Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law, already introduced a somewhat more commercial, radio-friendly side to the band’s sound. Even back then, a more lightweight track like “Out of Control,” with lyrics that read like a heartfelt love poem dedicated to Biff’s girlfriend at the time, certainly wasn’t the heaviest “shit” around. It’s still a solid rocking tune, but it won’t exactly make you, uh, lose control when spinning it on your stereo.

On the other hand, there’s plenty of faster, more aggressive material on Denim and Leather, with tracks like the furious “Princess of the Night” (almost kind of a proto-speed metal affair), the defiantly self-endorsing “Never Surrender,” the pugnacious “Rough and Ready” or the thundering biker-themed “Midnight Rider” charging along at a stout pace and boasting a harder, more uncompromising edge. However, the heaviest of the bunch is, without a doubt, the splendid “And the Bands Played On.” This is definitely the best song on here, with a really muscular main riff, a catchy chorus and lyrics conveying a sense of excited expectation. Unfortunately, at under three minutes, it is also the shortest track on the album. The ripping “Fire in the Sky” is another surprisingly fast cut with some nice dual guitar harmonies to boot.

The title track, placed at the very end of the track list—something more bands should do—ends things on a very high note. It is probably the most well-known tune on here and it captures the band effectively firing on all cylinders. Featuring a more march-like pace, a powerful and punchy main riff as well as a fist-pumping chorus guaranteed to stick in your head forever (“denim and leather, brought us all together, it was you that set the spirit free”), this is hard-hitting arena rock in the best sense of the term, as it was definitely intended to be played live in front of a rabid audience of thousands of people, a sentiment echoed by the added crowd chants underlying the chorus in the final minute of the song. The guitar solo is also one of the best you will find on this release, rounding off a great track that rightfully belongs among the most iconic of Saxon’s long and storied career.

The recording quality is actually really good considering how long ago Denim and Leather came out, but as was mentioned before, there are certainly aspects giving away its age. The guitars in particular lack some of the crunch and “bite” you would expect from a more modern production. This detriment is, however, offset by the overall transparency of the recording, rendering every instrument clearly audible and giving the drums an unexpectedly good punch. Moreover, the bass guitar shows up strong in the mix and makes a vital contribution to the overall sound. It’s safe to say a cut like “Midnight Rider” would not be nearly as effective without Steve Dawson’s rumbling bass pushing it forward.

At the end of the day, Denim and Leather is a rock-solid hard rock/heavy metal record with plenty of enjoyable songs, two absolute highlights in “And the Bands Played On” and the title track, but also some mediocre moments causing it to rank a tier below its two immediate predecessors and even further below the material a comparable band such as NWoBHM mates Iron Maiden was putting out at roughly the same time with albums like Iron Maiden or Killers, which arguably were more aggressive and more forward-thinking. Nonetheless, Saxon’s Denim and Leather is a fun affair and recommended listening for anyone with at least a passing interest in the early days of the genre.

Choicest cuts: Princess of the Night, And the Bands Played On, Midnight Rider, Denim and Leather

Rating: 7.5 out of 10 points

What truth there is in "Denim and Leather brought us all together". This is the Saxon album that everybody can agree on. It sounds great, the tunes rule, it's an utter classic of NWOBHM that makes you feel good about living. After steamrolling their way through the blooming scene with three big-balled albums released practically one on top of the other, not to mention a constant touring schedule to promote each one, Saxon bought themselves some breathing room in the ensuing NWOBHM frenzy. They took their time with Denim and Leather, resulting in countless "nice touch" flourishes, and a truly magnificent production for any lover of vintage metal.

And that's truly remarkable, since their next album will sound as lively as an elephant graveyard on Mars, so let's enjoy the spick-and-span glam sound of 'Midnight Rider' and 'Play It Loud' while it lasts. What's more, I don't use the word 'glam' as a pejorative here. Yes, Denim and Leather is excessively accessible, and yes, it resulted in Biff wearing some of the worst pants ever made, but it also created some of the finest songs of Saxon's entire career. I refer to both singles: the infectious power ballad 'And the Bands Played On', and what is likely my favorite NWOBHM anthem of all time, 'Princess of the Night'.

Up until this point, Saxon riffs were characterized by a rough and beefy bounce, yet now they're delivered with a technical shrewdness that borders on power metal. It's still rock 'n' roll, by and large, but it's amazing to think how far Denim and Leather has not only strayed from previous outings, but would go on to inspire their europower albums much further down the line. This creates an atmosphere extremely similar to Riot's Fire Down Under, to my ears. The adventurous vocal lines that Biff explores only reinforces this, in addition to the tremendous polyrhythms that rivet 'Play It Loud' and 'Fire in the Sky'.

I'll admit, I would've preferred a more equitable ratio of fast blitzes and mid-tempo cruisers. If you'll excuse my blasphemy, the title track is by far the worst culprit in this regard. For the album's closer, it feels rather low-stakes and corny, kind of like Halford's 'Made in Hell', only played at half-speed. I'm no stranger to cheese, but the bit where Biff mentions each part of a band with the corresponding instrument playing is just impossible to take seriously. It was probably a cool engineering feat at the time, but today it sounds straight out of a children's TV show. But I'll go ahead and shut up now, because I need to save my anger for the rest of Saxon's 80's discography.

Saxon pumped out plenty of great, raw heavy metal tunes during the early 80s. It's what they specialised in. They had songs about motorcycles, trains, women, and metal. The songs were consistently heavy and enjoyable to listen to, and this particular album captures Saxon at the height of their creativity. From start to finish, this album has plenty of great moments to be cherished by any heavy metal fan.

Saxon may not be the most popular NWOBHM band, and have certainly not maintained their success like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest have, but their early albums are total gems, and this one is fantastic from start to finish. Saxon have influenced bands such as Metallica and Megadeth, and it's not hard to understand what Saxon did to possibly fuel that influence.

Songs such as "Princess of the Night", "Never Surrender" and the title track are total classics. Princess of the Night is a mid-tempo heavy song about trains (not quite what the title may imply) and carries a nicely sung chorus. There are certain riffs that may remind you of some early Metallica songs, and those guys, particularly Lars Ulrich, did indeed take a lot of influence from NWOBHM bands. "Never Surrender" is about soldiering on past the obstacles in your way, and serves as a fist pumping motivational song with its chants of "Never surrender!" In the chorus. The title track is possibly the best song on the album. It may slow down the tempo a bit, but the pounding drums are so powerful and is a great accompaniment to an anthem that is about the heavy metal subculture. It's the closest the band gets to arena rock on this album (think songs like "United" by Judas Priest). Anybody who is fond of heavy metal is bound to go crazy over this song. It's easy to fall in love with.

Another favourite of mine, "And the Bands Played On" is another classic, influenced by Saxon's performance at a music festival alongside other hard rock and heavy metal acts, and the reactions and the feelings amongst the audience members, sitting through varied weather conditions just to catch their favourite bands. It's something of an anthem for rock and metal music festivals worldwide, and the overwhelming passion of the fans going to these festivals. The music itself carries a sense of determination but also having a good time, which is very in line with the subject matter.

There are some very old school moments here, also. Songs like "Out of Control", "Rough and Ready" and "Play It Loud" have a hard rock influenced sound, reminiscent of acts such as AC/DC, yet they stand well with the more "metal" songs such as the ones listed above. "Play it Loud" is simply about fighting for your right to blast out hard rocking music despite the urges you get from others to turn it down. It may seem ridiculously clichéd now, but it is still a solid tune in my eyes.

Denim and Leather is a very heavy metal album which carries heavy riffs and some speedy tempos that would pave the way for thrash metal. It is also one of Saxon's best, and there is enough to be found here to keep any fan of rock satisfied for a long time. It may not have aged quite as well as albums such as The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden) and British Steel (Judas Priest) but its status as a classic heavy metal album and its influence on later bands cannot be denied by listeners. So, what are you waiting for? Put on some denim and leather, give this great solid album a spin and just rock out!

British metallers Saxon’s fourth album finds them in a great form. New Wave Of British Heavy Metal is at full bloom but unfortunately it will not last much longer. However these metal underdogs managed to preserve their myth. They have a strong line-up and their vocalist Biff Byford is one of the best in the metal scene. By the time they released Denim and leather they had made a good reputation. The nine songs of this album proved that they were not just a shooting star but they had come to stay.

Some of the songs of this album became all-time classics adored by most metal fans. Princess of the Night is one of them. The title may fool you. Don’t look for a girl because the lyrics speak of an old locomotive, its journeys and adventures. It is one of the fastest songs Saxon ever wrote. It has an addictive galloping pace and unmatchable solos. Probably my favorite song by Saxon, it creates dreams about endless walks on the rails of fantasy that awakens with every note of this hymn.

Saxon didn’t forget to dedicate a song to their loyal fans, those who kept the faith alive. This is the song that bears the title of the album, Denim and Leather. It is a steady mid-tempo piece but its true magic is revealed through the lyrics. The lyrics that, nowadays, remind us of some years ago when metal wasn’t found in every corner. “It was you that set the spirit free” sings Byford making us proud of our beliefs and ideals.

And the Bands Played On… as shivers run up and down your spine, your senses are stimulated and tears glow through the eyes of us all, especially those who didn’t meet heavy metal when Hammerfall appeared in the scene. Riff and chorus march together to create a genuine epic, with an intense war feeling to defend our heavy metal land. Saxon wrote a masterpiece that no pen can describe. Only your ears can help you realize the size of this song. By the way, Hammerfall was used only as an example. I have nothing against them. In fact I like them a lot.

Never Surrender and Out of Control are songs that seem too typical but they are not. They don’t lack in melodic harshness and their brilliant solos blind those who keep their eyes shut to the glorious light of metal. Rough n’ Ready and Play it Loud have sharp, razor-edge guitars and nice breaks. They are simple hard rock played with metal tensions. It is suggested that you listen to them at maximum volume!

Midnight Rider is another hard rock track with metal extensions, aiming to wound some sensitive ears. It is melodic and easy to listen to, yet it doesn’t ignore its metal roots. It will excite you if you let yourself so. Fire in the Sky is quite a fast one, an ideal mix of power and melody. It’s a successful balancing between heavy riff and beautiful chorus. Of course it features wonderful guitar parts and Byford’s characteristic vocals. Certainly one more classic by Saxon.

With Denim and Leather Saxon contributed a great deal in the building of heavy metal’s armor. It is not the perfect album; it may not even be their best. Still it’s very good and metalheads all over should possess it.

Saxon, the undisputed kings of South Yorkshire Gumby metal (SYGM) and general all round scrappy Yorkshire Terrier’s of NWOBHM. Biff and the boys get a fairly bad reputation both inside and outside of the metal scene. Why you ask? Well, some strange people see the whole Spinal Tap comparison as a negative thing…bizarre! But if you can get over the short comings of Biff Byford’s wardrobe, you’ll surely find some of the greatest rocked up metal around.

NWOBHM was a complete mess of sounds, generally using an umbrella term to keep the music press happy (much like the did with grunge ten years later). Venom sounded like a washing machine full of bricks, Def Leppard spent too much time on their backing vocals, Witchfynde, Witchfinder General, Witchfynder General and General Fynder Witch all imploded without too much hassle and delivered some unfocused variant from the Sabbath mould, but Saxon just provided a most enjoyable AC/DC meets Priest rocking groove that pleased both rock and metal fans. If you enjoyed ‘British Steel’ era Priest then this will be right up your street, if not then I suggest you try before you buy, saving us the “Saxon ist not krieg!” reviews.

Four out of the eight songs here stand up to me as absolute metal classics, guarded in metal’s sacred halls by the Thundercats, yeah, why not? ‘Princess of the Night’ is embryonic speed metal and has some deceptively simple riffing. Saxon, being as they are, didn’t sing much about Satan and Valhalla as such this song is about fucking trains. Not even trains carrying legions of the night to do battle with angels, just a train bringing Biff his copy of Gumby Monthly. ‘Never Surrender’ is a ripping “backs against the wall” type song with brilliant generic bouncy NWOBHM riffs and an effortlessly catchy chorus. Not so much trains in this one. ‘And the Bands Played On’ is perhaps the greatest Saxon song ever, with it’s sing along lead lines (ala ‘747’) and nicely layered riffs. It was Saxon’s ode to the 1980 Monsters of Rock festival, at which they apparently killed at. It is also of note that Saxon writes a song dedicated to every gig they’ve ever done, yes really;
‘Dunstable Civic Hall, 1995, there was 155 there!’.
‘Denim and Leather’ is another NWOBHM anthem and understandably a live favourite- a masterpiece of Gumby metal sing along brilliance. Isn’t the ‘maybe you can learn play the bass’ line comedy gold? After dreaming of guitar and smashing up the drums, the bass must be learnt as a afterthought…if one line in metal ever did capture all the mystique of the faceless bassist then this is it! Anyway, it’s one of the best AC/DC songs Angus and Mal never wrote.

The other songs here are generally excellent too. ‘Fire in the Sky’ is an gold old slab of NWOBHM speed, with some excellent guitar harmonies and Priest aspiring solos. ‘Play it Loud’ is a lovable romp about never turning your music down and kicking lifeguards who take a disliking to Deep Purple (maybe it was Candice Night?). ‘Midnight Rider’ is the only song I don’t enjoy here, it reeks of ‘Hello America’ and musically it does nothing that the other tracks don’t do better. I mean I know your from Barnsley and are totally stoked by “bloody automobile highways” and “sun shining all of t’ bloody night” but spare me the details.

Saxon always have been economic rather than flashy and ‘Denim and Leather’ stands up as an excellent example of heavy metal precision, much like those steam engines Biff is so obsessed by (who is he Fred fucking Dibnah? Steeplejack heavy metal!). The band generally perform excellently with lots of memorable hooks, riffs and solos. Pete Gill’s performance was a bit disappointing for me as I was already aware of his phenomenal drumming with Motörhead and as such I knew he could sound a lot better than he does here…not that this is Lars Ulrich drumming by any means. I suppose it’s also that he uses less double bass than on ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ as well…crikey, that shows this albums age, when double bass was still something noteworthy in metal!

Looking to get all nostalgic for a time when England actually still was a proud heavy metal nation? Look no further, Biff and the boys will have you leathered up in no time (no, not lathered, bad Pete) and rocking like a Gumby in a time when every metal fan dressed like some denim clad refugee.

Paragraphing edited along with some minor spelling and grammatical errors. I’m going to do this with most of my reviews now.

If there ever was a record that tried just a little too hard to represent the early 80s heavy metal phenomenon, but was nowhere near good or interesting enough musically to live up to this promise, it has to be Saxon’s quintunessential ‘Denim and Leather.’ The band may be entirely forgotten today – they’re still touring to a cult following – but these Yorkshiremen were once one of the biggest names in the home-grown New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement (NWOBHM). On its release in 1981, this album hit #9 and the single reached number 12. This means that, at one time, people were more interested in listening to Saxon than Tony Capstick & the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band.

‘Denim and Leather,’ while completely mediocre, is nevertheless regarded as a genre classic by many. It’s certainly the last ‘quite-good’ album the band would produce in its original style, before moving to a more polished ‘quite-bad’ sound in a consistently failed attempt to break into the American market like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest managed (Saxon lacked only the talent). Whilst very little of Saxon’s output is comparable to their contemporaries even in this alleged classic period, the early albums are mostly enjoyable affairs, especially if you enjoy songs driven by derivative guitar riffs and embarrassing macho lyrics, as I do. You’d still be better off listening to Manowar, but Saxon were always a lot more radio-friendly.

‘Denim and Leather,’ follows the more impressive ‘Wheels of Steel’ and ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ released in quick succession the previous year, and is sadly the weakest of the three. This album suffers in a similar way to Iron Maiden’s sophomore release ‘Killers’ of the same year (which still fared better), by containing some classic, immortal staples of the Saxon live set amidst a sea of forgettable mediocrity. The main songs in question are helpfully singled out at the start and end of the album, in the form of the energetic ‘Princess of the Night’ lamenting a decomissioned train – not a prostitute like you thought – and the anthemic title track. ‘And the Bands Played On’ is slower and more heartfelt, and probably the highlight of the recording, as well as incredibly short to boot. It isn’t a flaw of Saxon albums that they never hit the forty-minute mark, as they were defecated forth from the studio in such rapid succession as to exceed the yearly output of more quality-centric bands.

Listening to this album is a reasonably enjoyable experience, if you disregard the fact that you could be spending your time listening to something more worthwhile, but it really hasn’t stood the test of time outside of its NWOBHM context. If anything, the music here veers away from the speedy heavy metal sound that was finally coming together in earlier songs like ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’ and retreats into overly familiar, Led Zeppelinesque hard rock for the most part. Saxon’s artistic integrity seems to be fairly low, as every interesting feature – a pleasant guitar solo here or nice use of vocal harmony there – is instantly negated by blatant attempts at popularity. This wouldn’t be a problem if the band wasn’t so insistent on its rebellious, back-streets image, best expressed in the punk angst of ‘Play it Loud.’

Bill Bryford’s vocals earn the accolade of actually being distinctive, despite imitating the alternating wails and groans of every other band of the time, but the other musicians aren’t particularly notable. The twin guitars of Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn do nothing new and exciting, especially in contrast to the triumphant dual guitar melodies produced by every notable heavy metal band of the decade. The only instance of drums that stands out is the slow, plodding march of the title song. ‘Denim and Leather,’ the song, is a run-of-the-mill stadium anthem, but by its own low standards it actually manages to impress. Even outside of the catchiness of the chorus – which conjures in my mind, for some reason, a literal melting pot of torn jeans and beaten leather jackets being brewed in an attempt to capture the essence of heavy metal through clothing – the unoriginal leading riff is quite cool, and it’s quite nice to hear the chanting of fans fading in at the end to lead out the album.

The lyrics are pretty silly but nicely optimistic, as Bryford tells you to think positive and become a singer like him, embracing the life of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the kind of song that makes you realise how sterile it is to judge music based on artistic merit rather than the simple feeling it generates, and the way it can inspire these feelings in an entire generation’s sub-culture. But then you listen to one of the dozens of better albums that were released the same year that accomplishes exactly the same thing, and cast Saxon aside like the pointless underdog it ever shall be.

…METAL! Heavy fucking metal! This album is all about power, steel, fistfights, beer, motorcycles, cigarettes, denim and leather. I can safely say that this is in fact the most Metal album I’ve ever heard. “Kings of Metal” may try, “Kill ‘Em All” and “Feel The Fire” definitely have the Metal spirit with the capitol M. But there is nothing that can challenge Saxon’s “Denim And Leather” in sheer drinking, fucking and headbanging joy.
So yes, lyrically this is superior to every other album I’ve heard, and it will make anyone who is Metal at heart go absolutely wild.
“I was lying on the beach, taking the rays
Listening to Deep Purple, reminiscing of old days
I was hassled by a lifeguard, so I kicked him to the ground
There’s always someone somewhere who’ll try to turn you down”
Listen and learn, kids. Biff Byford is the fucking man.

Also musically, this is one of the highs of NWOBHM, no doubt about it. Very catchy and memorable riffs and absolutely mindblowing solos - early Saxon had some of metal's greatest solos. Every song has a fucking awesome solo to back it up - are at the forefront along with Byford’s awesome voice – he may not have a great range, but he’s got the balls, my friends. Also, the drumming is truly intense here. The style is pretty standard for this type of music, but it’s played way better than most drummers can hope to. Perfectly placed insanely cool fills (especially on “Play It Loud”) and very solid rhythm works provides the important backbone for this album, along with the well played and perfectly mixed bass.

Together on this album, the guys blast out some truly immortal anthems of Heavy Fucking Metal. Motorcycle-song Princess of the Night opens the album in a speed metal manner, and from there it’s just a ride of crazy heavy metal all through.
“Never Surrender”, “Rough And Ready” and “Play It Loud” are probably my favourites on here along with the title track. Classic fuck-the-world-and-play-heavy-metal anthems done better than most can ever hope to be, and with some of the catchiest riffs ever, especially “Play It Loud”. And as previously mentioned, the lyrics OWN!
“Standing on a corner, asking for a smoke
I’ll kick you in the deep, boy, steal away your girl
Talked into a night-fight, they cut me to the bone
Don’t you mess with me, boy, you better leave me alone!”

And of course the previously mentioned title track… DENIM! AND LEATHER! BROUGHT US ALL TOGETHER! IT WAS YOU THAT SET THE SPIRIT FREE! I have orgasmic sensations when that plays in my speakers. A midpaced heavy metal anthem like no other, and should be considered a true metal classic, just like the entire album.

But really, there’s nothing on the album that does not completely own. Sure, when they try to write love lyrics on the song “Out of Control” it comes off as very forced, cause Saxon aren’t supposed to write love songs- but musically, it’s killer. More melodic than the rest, and very nicely done. And this album has plenty of brilliant lyrics to make up for one song that falls short in that one department.
“Fire In The Sky” also has some kinda out of place lyrics, suddenly dealing with nuclear war, but it works quite well, and again the music rocks. Pay special attention to that cool lead section that appears in the middle of the song. Not typical Saxon style, but very catchy, great stuff. I could go on dissecting this album a bit more, but I’m gonna let you guys find out for yourself, if you don’t have this already (in which case you haven’t experienced Metal).

“I’m sick of people saying our music is too loud
They never stop complaining, try to turn us down
But if you want it louder, we’ll turn it up full blast
They’ll never stop the music, they’re living in the past!”

Not far behind Strong Arm Of The Law, this album defenitly delivers the goods. Fast riffing, tough as nails lyrics, powerful vocals delivered by one of the best in metal, and killer choruses...just check out the first and last songs and you'll know what I mean. This album is just full of attitude, full of it! Not one weak point on the album, just killer riffing and attitude from begining to end.

1. Princess Of The Night - If the opening riff does not grab your attention at a sudden instant and force your ears against the speaker, then I don't know what will. The entire song itself is pure energy and power, with a catchy as hell chorus and a solo to die for.

2. Never Surrender - One of the more "in your face" Saxon tunes. More or less, it's mainly the chorus that possess the tough attitude, but the overall song kicks ass as well.

3. Out Of Control - The pace and riffage is basically in the same tone as the previous tune, though in a less intense way. Of all the songs on the album, this one is probably the least catchiest and/or memorable, but as I stated before, there's not one weak track on here and every song is well worth a listen.

4. Rough And Ready - You know, I absolutly HATE when a band has several kick ass songs that make it big, and then some others that kick just as much ass but get little or no attention. This happens to be one of those songs. Being more or less as catchy and powerful as Princess Of The Night and the title track, I think this song simply deserves more attention than it gets. Well, it gets no attention, but hey it's still a kickass song.

5. Play It Loud - Are these not some of the coolest ever lyrics or what?? If you wanna know what they are then listen to the damn song. But aside from the lyrical factor, the music is quite heavy and supports the lyrics with a mean, distorted tone.

6. And The Bands Played On - Despite it's short length, this happens to be one of the best tracks on the album. The verses are probably some of the catchiest I have ever heard, much catchier than the chorus for sure.

7. Midnight Rider - The main riff here is quite groovey, and the singing tone that Biif uses fits the groove quite well. Mid-paced and catchty, that's what this song mainly is. Yeah, a combination of those two characteristics = one awesome song.

8. Fire In The Sky - Aside from Princess Of The Night, this is the only other speed metal tune on the album. The song is about an outburst of radiation that claims the lives of many, so the intensity and speed of the song fit quite well with that. The great thing about Saxon is that when they write songs, no matter what they're about, they make sure that the lyrics fit the music correctly. Not many bands do it this well.

9. Demin And Leather - The heaviest song on the album, as well as the most powerful. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest Metal anthems as well as major crowd mover when played live, even today. The song itself is about the outbreak of the NWOBHM scene back in '79, and the audience that Saxon drew which set them apart from the rest of the bands. After all, Saxon was the first NWOBHM to ever get signed. Yeah, all thanks to the fans. This song is basically a tribute to their fans everywhere.

Saxon further their solid metal attitude here - quality songwriting with nice, prominent, memorable riffs are the norm here. Nothing is quite as insanely speed-metal as on the previous album, but nonetheless this one is quite enjoyable.

"Princess of the Night" is the fastest song on here - this is certainly speed metal, though not quite as heavy as say, Machine Gun. It has a really great solo in the middle, though, bringing to mind Highway Star at times. "Never Surrender" is a bit slower and more anthemic, with a nice chorus. It's merely okay on the studio release - definitely hear it live for greatest effect. "Out of Control" has silly lyrics - something that on a previous album would not have worked, but here the riffs make the song quite consistent.

"Rough and Ready" is also pretty damn heavy, and "Play It Loud" is good solid defiant heavy metal attitude, with great riffs to boot. "And the Bands Played On" is a tribute to Donington, Monsters of Rock (a performance that must be heard to be believed, Saxon completely tore it up that day!!). The song brings to mind "Rock Hard Ride Free" by Priest in the way the intro melody works and goes into the song.

"Midnight Rider" is not quite fast, but the riffs keep the song moving steadily enough. "Fire in the Sky" is apparently about nuclear death or whatnot - still, the music fits in with the rest of the album. Decent classic heavy metal - doesn't quite turn the riffs to 11, but doesn't descend into self-mockery either.

The title track... it's pretty nice, though the chorus is just a bit silly, and has to be heard live to be truly appreciated. Most of Saxon is that way - this album included. It's pretty decent, as the songwriting is there, but the intensity is not nearly as strong as on the live albums.