» Cdreviews  
« back

Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder: Live
(Eagles Over Wacken, W:O:A 2009, Fan's Choice Setlist)

Published April 23 2012


*
=Staff's pick

CD 1:
Battalions Of Steel*
Let Me Feel Your Power
Lionheart
Strong Arm Of The Law
Killing Ground
Metalhead
Wheels Of Steel
Unleash The Beast
Dogs Of War
Rock 'N' Roll Gipsy
Rock The Nations*
Motorcycle Man

CD 2:
Forever Free
Solid Ball Of Rock
Crusader
Power And The Glory
Princess Of The Night*
Heavy Metal Thunder
Live To Rock
747 (Strangers In The Night)*
Stallions Of The Highway
Denim And Leather

Genre Heavy Metal
Biff Byford
Vocals
Tracks 22
Paul Quinn
Guitar
Running time 110 Min.
Doug Scarratt
Guitar
Label UDR/EMI
Nibbs Carter
Bass
Release 20 April 2012
Nigel Glockler
Drums
Country England
-
Keyboard
Producer -
Similar artists ---

Saxon's new effort is available in a variety of formats and this double-CD audio jewel case version is a live recording of their already legendary show at Wacken Open Air in August of 2009. Subtitled Fan's Choice Setlist after the fans had the chance to take part in a poll on the band's website and therefore decide which songs to play. I witnessed this show two and a half years ago and the band was supposed to play at least one song from every album, so when leaving Destiny out I felt that they chickened out.

The songs are of course awesome and Saxon always put up a good show. A couple of songs haven't been played for a while and it's cool to hear live versions of Rock The Nations, Rock 'N' Roll Gipsy and Forever Free. To be frank though, most songs have been on and off their setlist in recent years, so this is by no means anything extraordinary. The band added a couple of favorites themselves and is anyone else also fed up by hearing Wheels Of Steel played live again?

The sound quality could have been better. The guitars feels a bit weak from time to time, the volume goes up and down on a couple occasions and lead vocalist Biff Byford has had better nights, although I prefer a proper live album and not an album with too many overdubs and mainly recorded in a studio. It somehow catches the emotions of a Saxon live show and sometimes it feels like they play in my living room.

It's a good live album and well worth the money. If you're a fan of Saxon, just order it or download it in its digital format, if you prefer to do so. You won't be disappointed.

See also review of: Thunderbolt , Battering Ram , Warriors Of The Road - The Saxon Chronicles Part II , St. George's Day Sacrifice - Live In Manchester , Unplugged And Strung Up , Sacrifice , Into The Labyrinth , Lionheart , Heavy Metal Thunder: Live DVD , The Saxon Chronicles

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

6

5

5

6

9

 
Summary



6 chalices of 10 - Tobbe


Related links:

www.saxon747.com
www.facebook.com/saxon