The new wave of British metal isn’t that new anymore but with their most recent albums, 2011’s Call To Arms and 2013’s Sacrifice, Saxon have succeeded in breathing new life into a genre many considered past its prime, earning themselves the Metal Hammer Golden God Award for the best band of 2012 in the process, and their show at Leeds 02 Academy on Wednesday, April 24th, confirmed their pre-eminent position as the leading exponents of British metal.
The show was opened by New Zealanders Redline and main support slot was taken by The Quireboys – a fine performance including hits “Hey You”, “There She Goes Again” and “7 o’clock”. Vocalist Spike, sporting a blue bandana stumbled occasionally during the set, one would have liked to believe it was due to overindulgence but it was in fact the result of a broken foot acquired during a game of football against Saxon – less rock ‘n’ roll, but they didn’t let it interfere with the show.
Saxon’s set took in the best of their new material – including title track “Sacrifice”, “Made in Belfast” and “Guardians Of The Tomb”, as well as old favourites like “Motorcycle Man”, “And The Bands Played On” and “Conquistador”. The show started off at a gallop, full of bombastic power and posturing, and slowed down only briefly for an affecting acoustic version of “Wheels Of Steel”, dedicated to all the members of the audience whose families had worked (as did vocalist Biff Byford) in the mining industry.
Almost 35 years at the top of British metal means that the band are masters of stagecraft, switching positions, striking poses singly, in pairs and threes and rocking out with plenty of high energy hair swirling throughout a show which was never static. Drummer Nigel Glockler, invisible but for a bobbing George’s Cross bandana behind a drum kit as big as a small house imposed himself on the proceedings with a fine display, which included an extended solo on “Conquistador” while Nibbs Carter at stage left was much more energetic than most bass players, and Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt shared guitar duties taking turns to produce Saxon’s trademark ringing solos and high powered riffs.
Byford himself remains a hugely impressive front man, his vocal range undiminished, and his ability to play an audience is second to none. With long flowing grey hair and an imperious demeanour, he dominated the stage with his voice and his extravagant gestures, stepping back from the spotlight only during the guitar solos to rock out, his hair a swirling silver storm as his head banged. At times he addressed the crowd almost like a headmaster, arch and knowing, one foot on the monitor, hand behind his back. “I’d like to thank all the people who’ve bought the album … (pause for cheers) … and all the people who are going to buy it to-morr-ow.” If he had threatened detention for non-compliance it wouldn’t have been entirely surprising.
Playing Leeds is a bit of a homecoming gig for Saxon, Barnsley’s favourite sons, so there was plenty of local pride on display. A chorus of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” rang round the auditorium when lead singer Biff Byford announced that he was looking forward to spending a night at home for a change. “Last night we were in Manchester” he continued – drawing a chorus of boos. “The night before that we were in Glasgow.” More booing. Before that it was Newcastle. The boos verged on hysteria. Nottingham fared the same. Leamington Spa got off quite lightly – it’s hard to feel a meaningful antipathy for Leamington Spa, and anyway no one had brought their atlases with them. “‘The week before that we were in Venezuela.” That was safe ground – Venezuela was dealt with severely. “And the point I’m making,” Byford continued, “The point I’m making is that in Yorkshire we fucking hate everyone.” It was fair comment.
The show closed with a run of crowd pleasers including “747”, “Denim and Leather” and “Wheels Of Steel” with Byford orchestrating some enthusiastic community singing – a stomping end to an excellent show for Yorkshire’s very own heavy metal conquistadors.
