Search - Saxon :: Heavy Metal Thunder (2CD)

Underated But Overachieved As Usual

Dr. Joe Duarte | Dallas, TX USA | 04/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"

Not a single dud here. A great compilation from the great survivors. Long live the Eagle and may it keep on landing. Great for old fans who want all the classics under one roof, or for newbies who what to see how it's done.

Saxon gets no respect, no press, and few breaks, but still writes the book on metal, and has earned a place along Priest and Maiden as the kings of NWOHM.
This one is no disappointment on Disc One, which delivers classic songs with an updated sound and traditional energy. Nothing has been lost by old Biff on the singing voice, even if he rasps when he talks on Disc Two.

The highlight of highlights is the title song "Heavy Metal Thunder" which jumps out of the speakers like a Texas Tornado. "Motorcycle Man" becomes a speed metal masterpiece, full of echo and rumble. "Wheels of Steel" rolls along like a locomotive. And "Dallas 1 P.M." is a prime chugger.

The bonus video of the band's Wacken show in 2001 is a cool addition, but the bootleg stuff from San Antonio could have used a little more volume on the crowd. No complaints about the songs.

Buy it. Play it. Wear it out."

POWER & AGGRESSION - THIS IS NO ORDINARY COMPILATION

wizey | Margate, Tasmania, Australia | 10/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let there be no mistake - this is no ordinary "best of" compilation and Saxon could not have given it a more appropriate tiltle than "Heavy Metal Thunder" because this album almost explodes out of the CD player!
Re-recording classic songs is a risk which could have disasterous effects on the bands crdibilty with their fans if they make a hash of it, but thankfully this is not the case with "Heavy Metal Thunder" because Saxon have nailed it.
All these 13 songs are classics and it is hard to pick any as stand-outs. It is very clear though that the current Saxon line-up has recorded these songs from the bands early 80's albums with a lot of enthusiasm, and I like it that they have not changed the songs too much at all from the way they were originally performed.
However, they play them with a power and aggression that is very refreshing and give the whole album a modern sound. I have been very pleased with the more aggressive, heavier (yet still melodic) style that Saxon have gone with on their albums from "Dogs Of War" to "Killing Ground", and this album is also recorded in that style.
The guitars are ripping, the bass is thumping, and the drums are pounding, but all have a clarity of their own which have been woven together masterfully to create a "solid ball of rock" crashing out of your speakers. Riding high on top of this is Biff Byford, who's vocals on this album are very impressive. He sings like a man possessed!
The bonus CD with the 5 live audio tracks and 1 live video track is also very pleasing, a great inclusion for the fans.
I have been a big Saxon fan since I first heard them when a mate played me their "Power And The Glory" album at high school. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to see them live but I have got every album Saxon have released since then and the ones before it.
I once had a cassette of Saxon called "Strong Arm Metal" which had a lot of these tracks on it and I played it so much that I wore it out.
I don't think that CD's can wear out, but if it is at all possible to do so then I may have to buy this CD again sometime in the future!
So if you are a long time Saxon fan like me or if you have just become a Saxon fan since their later albums -GET THIS CD!
Or, if you are just a fan of great heavy metal - GET THIS CD because it truely is "HEAVY METAL THUNDER"!"

Surprise Purchase of the Year

J. Collis | McHenry, IL | 12/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Longtime HM fan of the early 80's...Priest, Maiden, Saxon. Stumbled on this CD and said why not. Hoping that it was just remastered, to my surprise, it was re-recorded! And blows away the original recordings. Biff is pushing mid 50's and sounds better now than he did 20 uears ago on this CD. Dallas 1PM was what early 80's metal was all about, and this version kicks some serious a$$!



I hope that more of the early metal bands follow this lead and re-record some of their vintage works because this was definitely the best $14.95 I spent all year."