Album: SAXON –Power & The Glory
Written By: Wes Haskins
Original Release Date: March 21, 1983
Original Label: EMI Records
The fifth album from the British metal legends. The first Saxon album with drummer Nigel Glockler; the album peaked at #15 in the UK and #155 in the US. There were two singles released, including the title track and “Nightmare”. I’d consider this the last of that era’s classic Saxon albums, with the style changing slightly starting with the next release before going back to this sound in the 90s and onward.
TRACK BY TRACK:
“Power & The Glory” opens things up with a foot-to-the-floor metal track that’s really underrated in the Saxon catalogue. The song seems to be about a warrior from the past fighting for freedom, but I’ve also read it’s inspired by the Falklands War, which would have been many years before Maiden wrote about it on “Pachendale”.
“Redline” is a solid album track kind of has a shuffle to it and a good melody. Nothing amazing but very solid and nice solo. Lyrically about pushing the limit of motorcycles and fast cars; it’s a common theme in Saxon lyrics talking about bikers and driving fast.
“Warrior” is fast and gritty and just prime early 80s NWOBHM. Lyrically about the Viking raids on an unsuspecting English coast and the terror from that point of view as the “Warrior came, Warrior Saw, Warrior conquered”.
“Nightmare” is very melodic and a nice chorus and just a nice light and shade from the heavier and faster songs. Also almost a precursor to the more melodic style the band dabbled with in the near future.
“This Town Rocks” is another fast-paced uptempo classic Saxon rock n roll song talking about a town that knows how to rock. It doesn’t seem to be specific to a particular city, but just more of a rallying cry live to whatever town they were in on tour.
“Watching the Sky” starts off heavier but does have its melodic moments at the chorus. It’s about looking at life on other planets or in other universes beyond Earth.
“Midas Touch” is a good hard rock song that goes between faster parts and slows down in the verses and it has a very good melodic solo. Lyrically about a powerful figure that can make someone burn just by looking at them. I’m not sure what inspired it or if it’s specifically about any historical or biblical figure.
“The Eagle Has Landed” is a slow-build epic track that gets heavier as it goes on and is another classic Saxon song. Great solos throughout the song. About the moon landing and space exploration.
Recap: Another classic-sounding Saxon album, making it four pretty great albums in a row before a slight departure on the next several albums. Overall, this one is kind of underrated compared to the previous three.
Favourite songs: “Power & The Glory“, “Warrior“, “Redline“, “Nightmare“, “Watching the Sky“, and “The Eagle Has Landed“.
Read more of Wes Haskins‘ Saxon reviews here as he surges through the entire discography: Author – Wes Haskins
