YORKSHIRE, as many know, has over time produced scores of fine bands, with none finer than Barnsley boys Saxon. Formed back in the late seventies, they rightly command respect and always deliver; with over twenty albums released and the next one to hit the shops soon, it’s quite surprising that they’re playing at this small, albeit full venue. Better than an arena for sure as at least we can see, but the town’s City Hall would have been better. I guess it’s a money thing…

Opening with Hell Fire & Damnation, Power And The Glory, this machine was running. And boy did it run, as song followed song and we even got a few smiles from mainstay maestro Biff Byford, now thankfully on the mend from his recent illness. 

All band members pulled their weight and I thought bassist Nibbs Carter, who’s now been with the lads over thirty five years, played the show of his life, cementing nicely with Nigel Glockler’s relentless tub thumping. To be honest, I don’t know how Nigel did it as when many tunes ended, the band rarely paused longer than six or seven seconds, with Doug Scarrat and Brian Tatler eagerly riffing out the next tune, thus keeping everything slick and tight. Lessons for the young pups out there. Frontman Biff was also in great form, chatting about what wasn’t around in 1980, and what was, which proved to be a nice intro to the Wheels Of Steel album, which was played in its entirety. Whilst good, a few tunes less would have left space for my personal favourites, namely Battering Ram and Solid Ball Of Rock.

With classics like Dallas 1pm, Saxon did themselves more than proud with this blistering set. And with the encores including And The Bands Played On plus Princes Of The Night, the cake icing was complete.

Approaching fifty years in the business, and at times a very harsh business, I really hope Saxon are truly happy with their achievements and have made some money out of this game as after knocking out all these albums, playing concerts all over planet earth, they more than deserve any accolades that may come their way.

Ever professional, Biff graciously thanked support acts Untamed Silence and Dirkschneider, plus it was also good to see mainstay guitarist Paul Quinn making a guest appearance as he’s sadly had to take a back seat these last few years.

Whilst merchandise was a tad high, pleasing music scribes can be tricky but this one loved every minute of this highly polished, precise and powerful performance. 

To any band out there trying to make their mark, you need to take at leaf out of Saxon’s book as this outing was majestic.

Guest Reviewer - ROY GOODALL