Saxon is one of those strangely popular, yet rather overlooked metal bands. They have been going for more than 40 years and have a strong fan base the world over. Yet they do not get the respect they deserve from an artistical angle. No they are not Iron Maiden, they rule(d) like untouchable metal gods, not least in the eighties. Then Judas Priest is second most popular british steel band and arguably on a third place comes Saxon. As the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal became a thing in late 1970s, Saxon flowed with the stream.
Though their debut album basically is mix of an extended re-recording of what is known as the "Son of a Bitch demos", a prior incarnation of Saxon in 1977-78, and a few new tracks to fill a full length album, it is still a pretty good beginning. The opener combo of "Rainbow Theme" and "Frozen Rainbow" is a personal favourite of mine. The single bass-note rhythm intro almost have a new wavy feel to it - and there is a great guitar solo in there.
Dont be mistaken though. Maiden had some punkish influences on the first couple of albums but there is no such thing in Saxon whatsoever. They harken back to early seventies hard-rock or heavy bands like from Wishbone Ash and UFO - now and then with a touch of progressiveness.
"Big Teaser" is a pretty generic rocker with a half decent chorus.
"Judgment Day" is a longer and more complex thing. It has a few tempo-shifts and shows basically the extend of Saxons stretch into the progressive territory. It is still very much metal, possibly the most complex and straight up (prog)-metal you can get at this point in time ... rather ahead of its time. I could easily see Queenryche do this one. A great track.
"Stallions On The Highway" has obvious Motorhead influences ... it is basically Motorhead with Biff Byford on vocals.
"Backs to The Wall" (Not Balls to the Wall :-)) is very generic and leans up against the same Motorhead rip-off structure. What saves it though is a tempo-shift two thirds in that adds a bit of necessary interest to an otherwise boring track. Funnily "Still Fit To Rock'n'roll" sounds very much like the american band RIOT even the differently mixed drum sounds like them. The best part of this is the bluesy outtro. In the closer "Militia Guard" they are going for a Thin Lizzy "Emerald" kind of a feel. I won't say they succeede in that, but again. This is almost similarly progressive to "Judgment Day" the the inferior of the two ... sadly the track fades out to close the album, which I find to be a very poor decision. With only 7 tracks in total it seems possible that the progressive nature of theis last track could go out with more of a bang than a wimper.
All in all a recommendable early modern heavy rock/metal album. I recommend seeking out the 2009 remaster version. It has the "SOB" demos and some live tracks that gives you an idea of their developing those particular tracks and early live sound.
1 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
BONUS (2009 remaster)
Son of a Bitch demos
9 Big Teaser (1978 Demo)
10 Stallions of the Highway (1978 Demo)
11 Backs to the Wall (1978 Demo)
12 Rainbow Theme (Demo)
13 Frozen Rainbow (Demo)
B-side (to "Suzie Hold On", 1980)
14 Judgement Day (Live B-Side)
Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show, 1980
15 Still Fit to Boogie (Live At Donington 1980)
16 Backs to the Wall (Live at Donington 1980)
17 Stallions of the Highway (Live at Donington 1980)
