helterskelter.ca

SAXON
1980 - Wheels Of Steel.
1980 - Strong Arm Of The Law.
1981 - Denim And Leather.
way more Helter Skelter.

April 3, 1980 - 2025: 45 years of: Wheels Of Steel.

England rolls over the competition.

After 1979's self-titled debut-LP, the new sound was here, and here to stay. With pride, passion and power, ride along the stallions of the highway with the almighty SAXON.

High-octane, leather clad and with a firm fist, the "Motorcycle Man" rips through RPMs. Living after midnight, decibels bleeds to "Stand Up And Be Counted", along the fast "Freeway Mad" and overdrive-craziness mob of "Street Fighting Gang". The arenarock of "747 (Strangers In The Night)" hovers over the in awe scene, while real rock mayhem from these deadly "Wheels Of Steel" crushes the Stonehenge rocks to a pulp.

During this very special point in time, Great Britain was at the crossroads where, heavymetal, progrock, arenarock and punk clashed into a fusion of young testosterone and biker-attitude: a pure dirty experience.

The New Wave Of British Heavy-metal is here: loud and proud !
SAXON is here: loud and proud !

Not missing a beat, the gasoline fed motorcycle men's Round Two would hit in November 1980, with a flex from the Strong Arm Of The Law LP.

*
747 (Strangers In The Night) = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw1k2xaDGGE
Wheels Of Steel = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uoRG8p6NRo&list=OLAK5uy_m3sw4DBTtoeOLBMUwYgKiMzobHLtaqVbI
Top Of The Pops in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJM85xE_YA

November 14, 1980 - 2025: 45 years of: Strong Arm Of The Law.

Breaking the laws.

It's 1980 and Great Britain provides the official: Heavy-Metal Seal. April 1980's Wheels Of Steel LP rolled all over the United Kingdom. In a demented NWOBHM race, the motorcycle men of SAXON revs up to perfection.

The dark clouds sets-in, the sky roars as "Heavy Metal Thunder" drown England in hardrock. Louder and faster "To Hell And Back Again", to the chainsaw guitars of "Taking Your Chances". Arena-rocking and serious-thinking, as "Dallas 1PM" rides downtown. Historically poignant and raw rocking.

The brutal hammering chest-bursting title-track "Strong Arm Of The Law" is a powerful statement in rock-domination, while the sheer rippings of "Sixth Form Girls" and the fast Mach IV "20,000 Feet" separates the boys from the men.

SAXON are a street fighting gang. The band would complete their picture perfect trio and suit-up with 1981's Denim And Leather LP.

*
Strong Arm Of The Law = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzCTMIjuBTQ&list=PLsT9douBcx9_A8KpKwLKJlDKbURK1FJjO
Interview in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV9XYtpmJXw
Live in Sheffield in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uo2vTvZcVg

September 25, 1981 - 2026: 45 years of: Denim And Leather.

The Riot Act.

After 1980's Strong Arm Of The Law LP, the immortal trilogy shall now be complete. Round Three and yet, this militia guard always rock to Hell and back again. SAXON is a British street fighting gang.

In her carriage, under wheels of steel, the "Princess Of The Night" rolls all over England. Fast and devilish, obnoxiously they shall "Never Surrender" while co-piloting with the "Midnight Rider".

The fine riffraff of "Rough And Ready" wakes the country-side with lovely "Play It Loud" decibels. An iconic heavymetal anthem is born, as the looks to kill title-track for "Denim And Leather" spits out the essence of rebellion and attitude, all warped in powerful rock.

On top of hard-rocknroll's food-chain: Great Britain dominates.

1982's The Eagle Has Landed live-LP documents a band at peak performance. Always roaring with heavymetal thunder, SAXON would present more headbangin' mania with 1983's Power & The Glory LP.

*
Denim And Leather = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4txyJ3Fypt8
Denim And Leather = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39TEuFbfjc&list=OLAK5uy_l9a_4xPuZiy4SClqXBD6bv5vq39atxfLY
TV interview in 1981
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq7ApDc5Znc
Live on Top Of The Pops in 1981
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH7TCH1q9IU
Live in Dortmund in 1982
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmOl84QkSKo