Me and Saxon go way back before they were Saxon. I saw them play a few times at working men’s clubs around the Doncaster area. So when they got a deal and had success it was like one of our own had made it.
The first 5 studio albums are all must haves for me as they define a point in time – I have very fond memories of this period. This album is the last of the great Saxon albums, as the decline started to set in after this album as a certain member started to take control of the band.
There is not a bad second on the album, it’s the perfect mix of crunch and melody with big hooks and it’s what I love the most about the band – plus it’s what makes them different to all the rest of the NWOBHM bands. From the opening crunch of the title track, to the epic ending of The Eagle Has Landed, this is one hell of an album. If I’m pushed to pick a favourite then it would have to be This Town Rocks, with the double bass drum salvo of new boy drummer, Nigel Glockler.
Yes, you guessed it, every home should have one! Happy days!
10/10 from The Grooveman.
