The mighty Saxon’s Hell, Fire and Steel tour has been rolling through the UK. The final date is here in Cardiff; there’s a definite chill in the air as I queue to get in with the rest of the sold-out denim and leather-clad audience. By the time I get in, U.D.O. have already started their set. I catch most of the opening track – ‘Balls to the Wall’ (complete with giant inflatable balls), and I’m reminded of how much I love that song. I find myself headbanging (gently these days!) along to the monstrous riff and groove. Udo Dirkschneider is looking good for a 73-year-old, and his voice sounds like it always has. He has assembled a fantastic band, they play the Accept classics with flair, and we get a top selection of tracks, including the so bad it’s good – ‘London Leather Boys’, ‘Turn Me On’, and of course, they finish the set with a solid version of the proto thrash metal classic – ‘Fast as a Shark’. The audience gives U.D.O. a rapturous ovation, and we wait for Saxon to take the stage.

Yes, yes, I know you all know my love for Saxon. They were, after all, my introduction to the world of heavy metal back in 1986 when I was a young, impressionable 13-year-old. My mate in school brought me a tape of the compilation album ‘Strong Arm Metal’ and that was it! I’ve been a metal head ever since. It’s hard to believe that the band are as relevant now as they were then. The band have consistently released quality albums, some of their latest efforts are up there with the classic stuff.  They have weathered many storms in their long career. Drummer Nigel Glockler suffered a brain injury back in 2014, and vocalist Biff Byford recovered from a heart attack in 2019, and more recently has had treatment for prostate cancer. Not that you would know any of this when you see and hear their performance tonight!

The unmistakable tones of Brian Blessed blast through the PA as the intro to Saxon’s latest album – ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’ is played. The curtain drops and the riff to the album’s title track kicks off the show with style. Biff is on fine form vocally; he genuinely sounds better now than he ever has. For a man of 74 years of age, he puts many younger vocalists to shame. The first half of their set includes the standards – ‘Power and the Glory’, ‘Never Surrender’, ‘Backs to the Wall’, ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’ and ‘Dallas 1 pm’. We also get some newer tracks that have also become classic Saxon – Sacrifice and Madame Guillotine.

The video screen behind the band is used to great effect, with images to highlight the songs. The guitar duo of long-time member Doug Scarratt and new boy, Diamond Head legend Brian Tatler, works perfectly. They play for the song, no unnecessary showboating, just tasteful playing. Their twin lead attack is a joy to behold. Bassist Nibbs Carter shows no sign of slowing down; he’s like a shirtless Tasmanian devil. Headbanging furiously, saluting the crowd with horns aloft, he’s a focal point of the band. Nice to see him using a Rickenbacker for part of the set too – a nod to their old friend Lemmy? A special mention must go to drummer Nigel Glockler, at 72 years of age, he is still a force to be reckoned with. He doesn’t miss a beat; his thunderous attacking of the drums really is something special. Saxon have a real affinity with Wales, Biff tells us stories of the band playing in South Wales when the band first started out, “the Rhondda valleys!” he shouts in a pretty good Welsh accent!

Then we get to the part of the set that everyone has been waiting for – the seminal album ‘Wheels of Steel’ played in its entirety. Biff introduces ‘Motorcycle Man’ by taking us down memory lane, he asks us what the first thing we all heard when we dropped the needle on the LP for the first time… That’s right, the roar of a bike tearing up the tarmac. They kick into the track with gusto! The audience goes nuts and sings every word. This is a real treat for all of us in the room. We get to hear deep cuts like Freeway Mad and Street Fighting Gang as well as standards – 747 (Strangers in the Night), Wheels of Steel and See the Light Shining. The highlight for me, though, is hearing ‘Machine Gun’ live for the first time. The bomb effect at the end of the track clears out everyone’s bowels… amazing! ‘Suzie Hold On’ sounds great too (even though it’s my least favourite on the album). There’s a lovely moment where someone hands Biff their beloved vinyl copy of ‘Wheels of Steel’ and he pulls out a Sharpie from his pocket, signs it and hands it back. Biff tells us that a new album is in the works and we should expect it sometime in 2026. No slowing down for these guys!

We get an encore of ‘Denim and Leather’, some of the audience throw their battle jackets on stage and the band wear them, Biff signs them all while the guys in the band are still wearing them! The final tracks of the night are ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ and the fantastic ‘Princess of the Night’. What a set, what a band. There are smiles of appreciation on every face. Saxon more than delivered tonight. Long live the Barnsley big teasers!   

Author: Kenny Kendrick