Review: Saxon – Eagles Over Hellfest
Silver Lining Music (13th June 2025)
Reviewer: Chris O’Connor
When it comes to the remaining ‘Big Three’ British Metal legends, (with the mighty Motorhead now having passed into immortality), I happily confess that I like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, but I have always absolutely loved Saxon. They have never been ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’, choosing instead to endlessly cut their own uniquely British furrow – creating album after album of timeless Heavy Metal. I have seen them numerous times around Europe, and the guys always bring their A-Game, churning out anthem after anthem in their brilliant live sets.
I think I’m right in saying that ‘Eagles Over Hellfest’ is the band’s thirteenth ‘live’ album, and finds the quintet: Biff Byford (vocals), Doug Scarratt (guitars), Brian Tatler (guitars), Nibs Carter (bass), and Nigel Glockler (drums) in incendiary form. The addition of Brian Tatler of Diamondhead has been an inspired choice, he has slotted in seamlessly, his six-string acrobatics being the perfect foil to Doug Scarratt’s also blistering fretwork,
If you’ve seen the band recently (if not – why not?), you’ll know that they kick their set off with the towering ‘Hell, Fire & Damnation’, which gets the audience chanting along loudly, before the band tears into the first of many anthems – ‘Motorcycle Man’, with the band racing along with genuine glee. Biff’s voice is as powerful and clear as ever, no-one sounds like him, the Barnsley Big Teaser has always been unique vocally, and here he is in imperious form. From here it’s time for ‘The Power & The Glory’, which is always joyful.
Saxon are not just relying on the standards, as at this point, they introduce ‘Madame Guillotine’, the second track from the new album – and it’s a sign of the sheer quality as it slots in perfectly amongst the many anthems offered up here. Then it’s time for a ripping take on ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’ which in turn gives way to the classic ‘Dallas 1PM’, always a guaranteed crowd pleaser, which leads neatly unto a roiling and truly epic monster that is ‘The Eagle Has Landed’.
Nibs Carter’s galloping bass signifies its time for the always brilliant ‘Strong Arm Of The Law’, with the Carter/Glockler rhythm section driving the song along with power and style. From here it’s time for the immortal ‘And The Bands Played On’, and it’s now very obviously an absolute party for both band and audience. The anthemic ‘Denim & Leather’ follows hot on its heels, and for obvious reasons remains a huge crowd pleaser. ‘Wheels Of Steel’ delights as always, it’s just so timeless, and this glorious anthem gives way to the even more brilliant ‘747 (strangers In The Night’ … which even 45 years on is always a WOW! Moment.
‘Crusader’ is as pure a heavy Metal classic as you could ever hope to hear, it’s just a fist in the air moment, which finally gives way to a breakneck ‘Princess Of The Night’, the band powering along with real style and elan, as the French festival audience bays along delightedly – it’s a brilliant way to end a truly glorious set. Now fifty years into their astonishing career, Saxon continue to impress and delight with every album and every performance. Happily, Biff and co are showing no signs of slowing down, in fact the addition of Brian Tatler appears to have given the band fresh impetus and enthusiasm. So do yourselves a big favour and keep buying all their albums, as we all still need a healthy slice of Saxon’s uniquely homegrown Heavy Metal Thunder!
Tracklist:
- Hell, Fire & Damnation
- Motorcycle Man
- Power & The Glory
- Madame Guillotine
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- Dallas 1PM
- The Eagle Has Landed
- Strong Arm Of The Law
- And The Bands Played On
- Denim & Leather
- Wheels Of Steel
- 747 (Strangers In The Night)
- Crusader
- Princess Of The Night
Line-up:
Biff Byford – Vocals
Nigel Glockler – Drums
Doug Scarratt – Guitar
Brian Tatler – Guitar
Nibbs Carter – Bass
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