Taking advantage here, I know. But Saxon deserves a thread more than most of those suggested. I don't think many here will disagree.

I have always seen my favorite bands' career in 3 stages:

79-91 Saxon-Solid Ball of Rock
92-99 Forever Free-Metalhead
01-present Killing Ground-Into the Labyrinth

The era that will always be dear to me would be Wheels of Steel-Crusader. This is when I was first introduced to the band and those albums molded my metal experience that lasts right up to present day. Ya gotta at least admit that there have not been a whole lotta bands that have consistantly released premium metal for 30 years!

Just to shake up this forum a bit, I will add a poll to see what the consensus is, as far as this boards' favorite Saxon era.

Being a big Saxon fan, I would be all over this 'complete works' section if/when it happens.

I am huge Saxon fan, and I loved their later albums that they have released in the last few years. It seems like band has gotten its creative mojo back and have been on a winning streak since the beginning of the this decade.

79-91 thats where my favorite albums lie.

Since I am only familiar with their early albums, I'll vote for the 1st choice.

I'm really only familiar with the early albums, so that's what I voted for. I'd love to see Uncle Sax break down the albums for us...

Not a big fan, liked several songs from back in the day, but I thought "Lionheart" was a great lp! :metal:

I voted for the first era, but it's inspiring the way the band has rebounded from that down period they had in the mid-80s.

I would also love to see these guys in concert someday. From the videos I've seen they're one of those bands that's so much better live than in the studio.

Saxon's holy trinity: Denim & Leather, Strong Arm Of The Law and Wheels Of Steel. Heavy metal classics, each and every one of them. I'm also a big fan of Destiny and Rock The Nations. I Can't Wait Anymore is probably my favorite Saxon song.

I don't know if I can pick my favorite era. There are some albums I don't like as much and some I think are exceptionally strong. My favorite album is one many don't like as much: Dogs of War.

Let's help Uncle out. I'll start it, maybe he'll take over. Here's the one that started it and imo you hear a band still getting their sound figured out. Songs like Big Teaser and Still Fit To Boogie are kind of throwaway but Backs To The Wall and Stallions Of The Highway lay down the path they would follow on their upcoming albums when they would set a template for many to follow. A band that was at the forefront of the NWOBHM movement that exploded with all it's greatness and yes, it's cheese and maybe one of the most parodied metal bands of all time but they have earned and deserve respect.

I like this album, but I have to agree with Nazgul definitely a band that is still finding its own sound and identity. Granted it would not take them long to find their sound and starting with their second album that would release a string of consecutive classics.

Ok, I'll bite. As long as someone follows suite. Putting myself on a ledge here, kids...




Wheels of Steel 1980

This was the album that blew the doors off the metal community. Not just the NWOBHM crowd, but worldwide. Most every "civilized" country in the world recognized this album as being on par, or better than, Iron Maiden - S/T or Judas Priest - British Steel. America, as usual, was lost in whatever was popular at the time - new wave, Bryan Adams, Pablo Cruise, ugh. At this point in Saxon's career, they were actually MORE popular than Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard had barely made a splash yet. Tunes like: Motorcycle Man, 747[Strangers in the Night], and the pre-speed metal anthem, Machine Gun [a full 2 years before Accept's "Restless and Wild", mind you]. This sophmore album is never quoted as being in the top tier of their discography. Yet, for some reason, "Wheels of Steel" remains a crowd-participation favorite live, is usually their encore at concerts, and has been covered by bands more than any other Saxon tune. That just explains one thing to me, personally.....UNDERRATED!!!!! And, oh yeah - Americans are sheep.

In my Top 10 albums ever. SEVERELY underrated.

"Wheels of Steel" is my favorite Saxon release, the title track is a classic slab of metal. '747 (Strangers in the Night)' is a classic that should have been a hit single.

This guys were melodic and heavy at the same time. 'Suzi Hold On', 'Motorcyle Man' 'Freeway Mad' all great examples of pure 100% British Metal.

Wheels of Steel was the first Saxon record I ever bought. There was a local record shop that had a lot of cool stuff back in 1980/81, and I remember getting this and I believe British Steel at the same time, on recomendation of the guy at the store. Now that I think about it, I truely believe that I was into Saxon before I was into Maiden.

I remember playing the crap out of this record for ages. I did not think there was a single dud on this at all. Every song is a classic for me.Motorcycle Man was one of my favorite album openers of any record, as the pace was set for the whole album. Wheels of Steel was a fantastic anthem; though now I say I prefer the version on the Eagle Has Landed live album . Even the lesser known tracks like Freeway Mad, See the Light Shining and Street Fighting Gang are pure classics. And this version of Suzie Hold On is superior to the remake they did a bit later down the road. A fine release.


Funny story, it was because of Saxon, Maiden, and a bunch of other NWOBHM that set us apart from others at school as being' extreme rockers' as they stayed with Boston, Van Halen, et al. and did not venture into the 'really heavy stuff'.

It was not until I'd say, 85/86 that I tracked down a copy of the self titled release, and at first was not as impressed by it because it did not have that oomph that was present on the next four or so records , but it has since grown on me and I enjoy it for what it is: another fine, though not stellar Saxon record.

I liked the Saxon lp covers just as much as the Maiden stuff

Wheels of Steel is good stuff. Have it on vinyl, in fact all my Saxon is on vinyl.

Wheels Of Steel was excellent. Groundbreaking stuff that really was underrated.

Saxon: I like the debut, but they hadnt found their sound fully yet on it. A bit uneven, but still a very good album.

Wheels Of Steel: Still my favorite Saxon album, and what I think is actually their best. Not a bad song on it, the whole thing rips completely underrated album

I help Sax, next album in the Saxon discograpy is 1980's 'Strong Arm of the Law'. Another great album from Saxon, contains great metal tunes such as the title track, 'Heavy Metal Thunder' and one of the most interesting songs they ever recorded 'Dallas 1 PM" which is about President Kennedy's assainssation .

This song just deals with the reaction to his murder, and even as Brits how his murder affected not just United States but the world.

First Saxon album I ever heard and purchased.

Not a bad track on the album highly recommended and it reminds me, I need to upgrade this to CD.

Because of some strange release date thing up here in Canada, this was an import and only my friend Mike had it for the longest time. And because of it's import status, and that we had Denim & Leather next, it was the longest time before I realized that this was the follow up to Wheels Of Steel.

I hold this album (and the next) as good as Wheels Of Steel. The everyman metal that they were coming up with was solid. Even the lesser known tracks from this album are decent: Sixth Form Girls, Hungry Years, and Taking Your Chances shine amongst the more common standards of 20,000 Feet, Dallas 1 PM, To Hell And Back Again, Strong Arm..., and Heavy Metal Thunder (which is a killer way to open an album, I dear say).

This was a band firing on all cylinders at this point in their career. And for the next couple of years.