Saxon

Does anyone like there more commercial stuff after 1981-82?Whats the best stuff to get?

The Power & The Glory is my favorite Saxon album. I also like Crusader but after that, it's pretty much a crapfest until the 90s.

Saxon, Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law, Denim and Leather, and The Power and the Glory are essential. You can try Crusader and Innocence is No Excuse but they don't have that raw, NWOBHM power. Everything from 1992's Forever Free is pretty bangin'.

Their new album Call to Arms is a total classic too, easily their best work since Power and the Glory.

I don't like them at all. Mediocre band IMO, but I find "Innocence is no Excuse" enjoyable sometimes.

The title track off of Crusader is one of the best Saxon songs ever, if not the best. But apart from a couple of other songs, it's rather dull.

Rock the Nations has a few good songs, I guess.

I personally find Solid Ball of Rock and after is some of their best work. I have not heard the most recent offering but Labyrinth is one of my favorites.

Whats everyone think of their 1988 cover of Ride Like The Wind?

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Mediocre band IMO

First time I've ever heard anyone call Saxon a mediocre band.

Every album from Metalhead on is far from mediocre.

GrandNational wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Mediocre band IMO

First time I've ever heard anyone call Saxon a mediocre band.

Every album from Metalhead on is far from mediocre.

I'd lost interest after Crusader someplace, but a guy who worked for me when I was building houses played Metalhead for me and I was like "whoooaa"

If dude thinks they're mediocre, that's fine. It is different when you discover a band through retrospect and not in real time. To each their own I suppose ?

I realize my perspective is different since I'm younger and discovered all of Saxon's eras at the same time, but I think their albums of the past 15 or so years are their best works! I simply am impressed with every new release

As far as mid to late 80's releases go, I love Crusader.

Ride Like the Wind is pure cheese, trying to get that radio hit. One of my faves, you should read the complete works thread on them, I wrote a few of those.

I love their early material, and then we get to 'Crusader' an album that I cared very little for and it took them a few years til they found their feet again, but to me 'Solid Ball of Rock' is a kick ass album

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

I don't like them at all. Mediocre band IMO, but I find "Innocence is no Excuse" enjoyable sometimes.

"Mediocre" says the guy with a Megadeth avatar.

I like all SAXON albums ever released also the more comercial CRUSADER or the underrated INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE or ROCK THE NATIONS from 86. Listen to them and get your own opinion because many people never gave a real chance to this albums because the negative reviews.
Here a review i did some time ago of INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE:
This was not the most popular record by SAXON and many people hated it when it came out in 1985. I listen to this album for the first time back in 91 or 92 and i loved it and still in 2010 i think its great. Okay, its more melodic, more american sounding, more hard rock/melodic metal and no NWOBHM sounding songs but you can still hear great solos and some great songs like ROCKIN´AGAIN, CALL OF THE WILD, ROCK´N´ROLL GIPSY, the emotional BROKEN HEROES, or RAISE SOME HELL.
All those songs could have been on a 80s movie soundtrack and for me thats a compliment.
Like i said before, this record sound more melodic, more like mid 80s late 80s SCORPIONS or even DEF LEPPARD. They wanted to become big in the USA with this album but they never did. Still, die hard SAXON fans like me, HAIL THIS RECORD FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!

Andy wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

I don't like them at all. Mediocre band IMO, but I find "Innocence is no Excuse" enjoyable sometimes.

"Mediocre" says the guy with a Megadeth avatar.

Pff it is Mustaine avatar. Not crazy about Megadeath.
Seriously, Saxon is nothing special even by 80's standards. Give me Raven or Angel Witch instead.

They only made 2 or 3 good albums....fanboys might disagree though

EmoElmo wrote:

They only made 2 or 3 good albums....fanboys might disagree though

I'd describe myself as a casual fan at best, and I absolutely disagree.

I actually really dig those pop metal albums they did in the second half of the '80s. Had those been recorded by Dokken or Europe, they would probably be held as some of the greatest hard rock/melodic metal albums of the '80s.
Although, Rock The Nations is pretty uninspired and boring, but it does have one of the greatest songs they ever recorded:

I have 'Rock The Nations' and IMO it is a horrible uninspired disc

Andy wrote:

"Mediocre" says the guy with a Megadeth avatar.

1.
of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate: The car gets only mediocre mileage, but it's fun to drive. Synonyms: undistinguished, commonplace, pedestrian, everyday; run-of-the-mill. Antonyms: extraordinary, superior, uncommon, incomparable.

2.
not satisfactory; poor; inferior: Mediocre construction makes that building dangerous. Synonyms: meager, low-quality, second-rate; so-so. Antonyms: excellent, superior.



That may aplpy to some of thier songs (megadeth) but it is not applicable to the musicians who have played in the band.

GrandNational wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Mediocre band IMO

First time I've ever heard anyone call Saxon a mediocre band.

Every album from Metalhead on is far from mediocre.

Here here he is 19 ha ha!

Wargod

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Andy wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

I don't like them at all. Mediocre band IMO, but I find "Innocence is no Excuse" enjoyable sometimes.

"Mediocre" says the guy with a Megadeth avatar.

Pff it is Mustaine avatar. Not crazy about Megadeath.
Seriously, Saxon is nothing special even by 80's standards. Give me Raven or Angel Witch instead.

Not crazy about the band, just the sole founding member, primary songwriter, and lead guitar player. Got it.

Quote :

I have 'Rock The Nations' and IMO it is a horrible uninspired disc

Their low point, even Biff says they were trying to be Def Lep like and it didn't work.

Andy wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Andy wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

I don't like them at all. Mediocre band IMO, but I find "Innocence is no Excuse" enjoyable sometimes.

"Mediocre" says the guy with a Megadeth avatar.

Pff it is Mustaine avatar. Not crazy about Megadeath.
Seriously, Saxon is nothing special even by 80's standards. Give me Raven or Angel Witch instead.

Not crazy about the band, just the sole founding member, primary songwriter, and lead guitar player. Got it.

Face expression...

Wargod wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

BearOnUnicycle wrote:

Mediocre band IMO

First time I've ever heard anyone call Saxon a mediocre band.

Every album from Metalhead on is far from mediocre.

Here here he is 19 ha ha!

Wargod

Got nothing to do with age. I have friends that are 18 or 19 and love SAXON. When i was 19 and before i also loved SAXON and still today i do of course. In my opinion if you like traditional heavy metal you like SAXON (at least 10 albums by them) but if you dont than i understand you dont like the band and others from the NWOBHM.