saxon live

On a first visit to the O2 Academy it was clear that it was going to be a good night as punters began to filter in everyone seemed in good spirits before the gig even kicked off but then again with these three bands on the bill how was it ever going to be a bad night?

First up were SuidAkrA from Germany, who may have seemed as a surprise choice for this billing to some, but from the opening track Darkane Times it was clear that they were going to crush any doubters! Their folk inspired melodic metal worked particularly well throughout, helped by the pure energy displayed by each member, especially Lars, the drummer, who went into full on whirl winding whilst playing, no easy feat I’m sure!

Isle of Skye really did have a Scottish feel to it and showed some of the quality that has come out of their latest album. Dead Man’s Reel really got the crowd going, encouraged by singer Arkadius who was the perfect front man. A really enjoyable performance, they produced a unique set and will hopefully have made some new fans that hadn’t heard them before.

The chant of ‘Anvil Very Good’ began as the band took to the stage and opened with March of the Crabs. It was clear from the off that Anvil are relishing their new found attention on the back of the documentary film which has bought them to the world’s attention. The hype was well deserved as track after track was delivered with power and enthusiasm.

Lips is possibly the greatest front man in metal and it mixed in so much humour and emotion between songs. Classics such as 666 and Mothra were belted out, as well as some of the newer material, all of which went down a storm. Rob Reiner treated everyone to a highly impressive drum solo and Lips produced a guitar solo in his own unique style. Let’s just say to see slide guitar played, and played very well, with a vibrator has to be seen to be believed, what a legend!

Things were bought to a close with the anthem Metal on Metal which everyone in the crowd belted out as well! Anvil are a band who are finally living the dream and from this performance things can only get even better when people realise what they have been missing out on all these years.

Saxon burst onto the stage with Battalions of Steel followed by rapturous cheering and applause before going straight into Heavy Metal Thunder! Just two songs in and it’s apparent they have still got it and then some. Biff can still hit all the notes perfectly and the overall sound itself was thunderous, the original NWOBHM sound is still there but really beefed up!

The stage was set up with podiums which the band leaped up and around upon, for a band that has been around so long they still seem to have boundless energy which made for a cracking show! As Biff said they have been through a lot of ‘wine and wives’ over the years but it hasn’t slowed them down.

They played pretty much something from their entire back catalogue including all the favourites such as and the Band Played On and Power and the Glory. There was a bit of audience participation where each side of the crowd had to out-sing each other!

The crowd was absolutely lapping it up, so much so that two encores were called for, one of which was of course Denim and Leather, which featured a special guest appearance on guitar by Lips from Anvil (after a few technical hitches) which just made the song that bit extra special! The final song of the show was 747 Strangers in the Night which really rounded up a fantastic set and gig overall!

by Claudia Glazzard