 |
 |
|
| Saxon - Heavy Metal Thunder |
 Released: 2002 Label: SPV/Steamhammer Cat. No.: 7448 Total Time: 59:19 / ? | |
Reviewed by: Gary Carson, March 2003 In between all the tributes and best-of's comes this big package from Saxon – Heavy Metal Thunder – a double album from the NWOBHM kings that mixes re-recordings of classic Saxon hits and a second disc that features a live bootleg and a bonus video track. For the Limited Edition of their last studio album (Killing Ground), Saxon had a bonus CD on there that contained 8 "new" re-recordings of classic songs. What they've done with Heavy Metal Thunder is to put those 8 songs together with 5 more re-recordings and made this the main focus of the album. The songs, classics in their own right, don't sound as fresh with the re-recordings. Sure, some of the songs are "very" old, but there's no real fresh approach to the songs. And Biff has lost a lot of vocal prowess, which means the tracks lack a certain authority that the classics did have. The opener and title track, "Heavy Metal Thunder," stands up better than most and is a killer song. Musically, the songs show their age more so than the originals, but songs like "Power & The Glory," "Princess Of The Night," "Wheels Of Steel," "And The Band Played On" and "747" are the more welcomed of the songs. Gamma Ray did the re-recordings very well with Blast From The Past but Saxon don't do it as well. The reason? I can't tell you. I've listened to this with open ears for a long time and it still eludes me. The re-recordings are crisp enough, but for some reason there is something missing. I wish I could be more helpful but I can't. The second disc features a bootleg recorded in the USA during 2002 and is the most interesting part of the package. We get to hear Saxon in all their glory – including the faults in putting a show together. Whilst the sound is bad – it is a bootleg mind you – the band put on a terrific performance and they still sound great live, although Biff can't have too many years left in him. The video clip, recorded live at Wacken 2001, is a waste of time. The song is "Killing Ground" but SPV have put a studio recording over live footage which makes it all but useless. For those who have the limited edition of Killing Ground then you're probably already a big enough fan to have bought this already, but I didn't consider it worthy addition to my CD collection. If you're wondering what all the Saxon fuss is about, I would consider purchasing an original best-of (there are plenty around) album instead of this one, but with the added bootleg there is a lot to gain for the new Saxon fan. PPO Rating: 4/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site; see also Keith's review -ed.] More about Heavy Metal Thunder: Track Listing: Disc One: Heavy Metal Thunder (4:13) / Strong Arm Of The Law (4:24) / Power And The Glory (5:57) / And The Bands Played On (2:52) / Crusader (6:38) / Dallas 1PM (6:18) / Princess Of The Night (4:10) / Wheels Of Steel (5:53) / 747 (Strangers In The Night) (5:07) / Motorcycle Man (3:46) / Never Surrender (3:35) / Denim and Leather (5:19) / Backs To The Wall (3:07) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.saxon747.com Discography
| |
[Review Index] [Home] [Top]  © Copyright 2005 ProgressiveWorld.net/Gary Carson |