Album: SAXON – Denim & Leather
Written By: Wes Haskins
Original Release Date: October 5, 1981
Original Label: Carrere Records
The fourth album from the British metal legends. The album reached #9, was certified silver in the UK and was the last album to feature the original lineup with drummer Pete Gill, who left the band and eventually joined Motörhead for a short time. The album continues the hard-hitting metal style of the first few albums.
TRACK BY TRACK:
“Princess of the Night” leads things off and is another classic from the band. Telling the story about a steam train, the song has a cool riff throughout and a nice drumbeat that drives the song along to the solos. The song was the first single and peaked at #57 in the UK.
“Never Surrender” starts with a good riff and solid drumbeat that just has the classic Saxon vibe. A solid album track with a good chorus. A working-class type anthem about overcoming a tough upbringing.
“Out of Control” is another good, solid rock song nothing fancy, just good straightforward hard rock. Supposedly about an urban legend about a phantom hitchhiker who haunts the road and is picked up by a biker.
“Rough and Ready” is just a straight rocker with a good solo and just a good time song with a good riff. About living life on your own terms and possibly about the rough biker and possible metal band lifestyle.
“Play It Loud” is another good straight-ahead rock song with a flashy solo. About getting harassed by society while trying to enjoy loud music.
“And The Bands Played On” is a short (less than three minutes) and to the point melodic hard rock song. Another early 80s Saxon classic and about the 1980 Monsters of Rock Festival.
“Midnight Rider” a more melodic style but good song and seems to be about the band touring the United States and driving on a bus or van through the night from town to town.
“Fire in the Sky” is upbeat fast paced metal song that’s one of the faster songs on the album. Talking about nuclear warfare and post-apocalypse when the missiles start flying and mankind is trying to survive.
“Denim & Leather” is another all-time great Saxon and 80s metal anthem. A song about the fans of the scene and those that were there from the beginning; it’s a great way to end the album on a high note.
Recap: another classic from the band which makes three in a little over a year.
Favourite songs: “Princess of the Night“, “And the Band Played On“, “Denim & Leather“, “Midnight Rider“, and “Never Surrender“.
Read more of Wes Haskins‘ Saxon reviews here as he surges through the entire discography: Author – Wes Haskins
