Looking at the simple cover of Denim And Leather brings back some great memories (besides it being an outstanding release), partly because the eagle represents one of the coolest Metal bands ever but also because my autographed copy says a lot about the band
Saxon.
Just the fact that I some years ago had the pleasure of seeing the band wrecking everything in my small hometown of Esbjerg, Denmark, hints that
Saxon not only gets around, when they do, they leave an impression.
They delivered a show that was if not more than just as energetic and inspiring as on the last few times they visited and ruled Wacken Open Air, they simple didn't give a fuck about the poor turn up of what seemed to be at the most 100 persons.
That they also stuck around for a beer and a talk after the show is a good example of the bands dedication towards their fans, not only lyrically but also by their sheer presence they represent a vibe of having both feet on the ground and focusing on the simpler but important things in life, something that shines clearly within this, their fourth album.
When one of the worlds greatest live bands do their stuff onstage,
Denim And Leather is bound to be the provider of some of the best moments of the evening.
Princess Of The Night is perhaps their most recognisable hit being a grand rocker of the finest kind, a sure live favourite. To keep the momentum from the excellent opener
Never Surrender hits hard with an "in the flesh" direction, having an immensely cool driving rhythm and a fantastic melodic vocal performance by Biff.
Out Of Control sets in with some great harmonious twin rhythm guitar work, a
Saxon trademark that nevertheless makes me think of two other great bands namely
AC/DC and Judas Priest, in very broad terms I guess I see
Saxon as a great and original mix of those two bands.
Not the albums best or most catchy track, still having its own relaxed charm.
The tempo gets turned up with the intense
Rough And Ready, featuring a spectacular bass delivery. The mid-section bridge adds another layer and the vivid nerve coming from this song is just so damn infectious.
I simply can't get enough of the main riff in
Play It Laud, so simple and still so memorable; it just sounds awesome and ultra groovy, talking about music with a raw and immensely cool "don't take any crap from anyone" attitude.
As
And The Bands Played On unfolds we quickly get one of the most melodic licks in the music history, I have no idea of how many times I have hummed along to this great melody line, all in all a short but great rocker.
A slow and solid rhythm section gets
Midnight Rider moving into an easily accessible piece of Biker Metal. The down to earth guitar solo passage is a clear high point in a good song with a lesser dynamic refrain.
Fire In The Sky fittingly follows a faster road, loosely played guitar spots, powerful and varied drumming, a piercing guitar solo and melodic leads all add up to another successful cut.
At the end of the spectrum we find the Metal hymn
Denim And Leather brought forth by a groove that kills, a lovely atmosphere is created and this one oozes with the spirit and magic called Heavy Metal.
The fact that the album is quite stripped down and kept direct makes it hard to judge the bands real potential in the act of performance, all I can say is that this is solid as steel and even though the word simple can be used from time to time there is a bunch of musical gems to enjoy, a great deal of this albums strength lies in the fact that things aren't made more difficult than necessary.
The actual content of these songs evolves around standing your own ground and having a good time, seen as a whole they are as down to earth as the music and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Unfortunately the production leaves much to be wished for, it's quite thin and trebled but has a clear edge, anyway this is 1981 so I guess you can't expect too much.
It's just so refreshingly uncomplicated and vigorously rocking all the way through.
Written by
Tommy Friday, February 4, 2005
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