Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Saxon never made it big. Why?
What is your opinion?

Simple answer...

They were absolutely, SUB PAR compared to all of those Metal bands who were bigger!

$tEvil

They were big-ish in england. They got a lot bigger than Gillan for example, did in the US.

But yes, biffs voice couldn’t hang with halford and Dickinson and their look was a disaster

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Sun May 11, 2025 5:26 pm their look was a disaster

I think this is a big part of it. Their music actually isn't bad, and I've got them a step above say, Krokus (who legend says was playing stadiums).

But you simply couldn't be a band in the early 80s and be successful without a look that would get you on MTV. This is also known as the "Black N Blue" Axiom.

Anthrax442 wrote: ↑Sun May 11, 2025 5:52 pm

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Sun May 11, 2025 5:26 pm their look was a disaster

I think this is a big part of it. Their music actually isn't bad, and I've got them a step above say, Krokus (who legend says was playing stadiums).

But you simply couldn't be a band in the early 80s and be successful without a look that would get you on MTV. This is also known as the "Black N Blue" Axiom.

I think they were MUCH worse than Krokus, albeit less cringe. Krokus' "Headhunter" is light years beyond any Saxon album. My opinion is that Saxon just didn't have the great songs (same problem as Tygers of Pan Tang), and also they never got the really chunky Euro-metal guitar sound. If they'd had a rhythm sound like Michael Schenker, it would have really helped. I wanted them to sound a bit more "metal," but they just didn't. Def Leppard got that great metal guitar sound from their second album onwards. Saxon needed that.

I remember one kid had a couple Saxon records that we made cassettes of &, compared to everything else out there, they just weren't that good. The never opened for anyone at an arena, that I remember, so when they did come around, they played at a 21+ club. We were in high school so obviously we couldn't go & that's when any care about Saxon went out the window.

Van Ailin' wrote: ↑Sun May 11, 2025 8:04 pm
I think they were MUCH worse than Krokus, albeit less cringe. Krokus' "Headhunter" is light years beyond any Saxon album. My opinion is that Saxon just didn't have the great songs (same problem as Tygers of Pan Tang), and also they never got the really chunky Euro-metal guitar sound. If they'd had a rhythm sound like Michael Schenker, it would have really helped. I wanted them to sound a bit more "metal," but they just didn't. Def Leppard got that great metal guitar sound from their second album onwards. Saxon needed that.

I'm going to say a sentence never uttered by man. "Clearly, I need to listen to more Krokus".

At what point do you shave your head? I guess the answer is 'never'.

Based on the pic above, it was either the moose knuckle or the hair (lack of).

Honestly, the songs were okay, but not that great.

Krokus had a song that was a huge MTV hit of sorts. Saxon never did, but had a few ok songs.

A notch below everyone else is about right. I love them but albums just aren't there.

Sleek called it in another thread about them - lots of one chord riffs, monotone choruses. Spinal Tap were literally modeled after Saxon, musically - Robert Reiner went on tour with them as research.

Also, they looked and sounded like holdovers from the 70s's, which they were. Priest, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden all sounded more modern and exciting... in addition to being just better bands.

Black Stuff wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 7:48 am Krokus had a song that was a huge MTV hit of sorts. Saxon never did, but had a few ok songs.

Apparently, Midnite Maniac was a bigger hit with radio. They went from Tom Allom-produced Priest disciples to Bruce Fairbairn-produced pussies in the span of a year!

Krokus were the fuckin Rolling Stones compared to Saxon. Better writers, better players.

But they had even less personality than Saxon. Every single sounds like a different band. They weren't in the magazines much. I have no clue what they look like even though they were on MTV.

Saxon at least had an identity.

FreddyFender wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:40 am
But they had even less personality than Saxon. Every single sounds like a different band. They weren't in the magazines much. I have no clue what they look like even though they were on MTV.

Saxon at least had an identity.

Yeah. I know Krokus got slagged as an ACDC clone early on, like Long Stick Goes Boom. Then they were Judas Priest for Headhunter, Def Leppard for The Blitz, and I dont even know what for what followed, but prolly some AOR bullshit.

Look at them. They look like old men, not good if your audience is kids, especially in the 80's MTV era. What kid wants to listen to a bunch of guys who look like their father? It sounds trite but I bought soooo many records just by looking at the front and back of the album. If they looked cool, chances are the music would be cool, at least that was the thinking of a 16 year old in the 80's.

Anthrax442 wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 7:14 am

I'm going to say a sentence never uttered by man. "Clearly, I need to listen to more Krokus".

Just make sure it's not Heart Attack or Change of Address. Start with Headhunter, One Vice, and Midnight Rendezvous. The only really heavy one is Headhunter. Otherwise, they were more of melodic hard rock band with pretty terrible lyrics and a really good singer.

50 years, 24 albums, and countless tours in big arenas, at festivals, etc... and outside of the super die-hard fans, nobody gave a flying F#@k about them.

Motorhead, similar existence, and number of (mostly useless) albums, and they were only a few hairs bigger. Most of it based off the fact that Lemmy had a personality.

And, a lifelong close friendship with Ozzy and Sharon. Who absolutely handed him countless gigs, tours, and opportunities.

Saxon had a few songs (tops) that moved any needle, at least stateside. Not to mention, mostly nameless, faceless band members.

"Princess of the night" to my recollection is the only song that got any play on MTV in the U.S..

Even Motorhead had a few guys in the fray, who created a bit of interest with names like Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie, along with Lemmy.

Lemmy absolutely made his name with a slew of moves, dating Wendy O, hanging out in Hollywood for decades, rubbing shoulders with Sunset Strip's finest, and being in Decline.

Saxon was forgettable at best... with an entire career of forgettable music, related members and more. Nothing interesting to see here sums it up!

$tEvil

FreddyFender wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:28 am Sleek called it in another thread about them - lots of one chord riffs, monotone choruses. Spinal Tap were literally modeled after Saxon, musically - Robert Reiner went on tour with them as research.

Also, they looked and sounded like holdovers from the 70s's, which they were. Priest, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden all sounded more modern and exciting... in addition to being just better bands.

Yeah, basically this.

Although they did have good success in the UK. Certainly more so than bands like Ratt, Dokken, Cinderella etc.

I always found them to be a bit too meat and potatoes. Alright but nothing to get too excited about.

Name one Saxon song.













That’s why.

I saw Saxon about 10 years ago, because they were headlining a show that Armored Saint was playing. I had heard maybe four of the songs they played before the show, and the rest was new to me. I thought they were solid, with some great musicianship for a bunch of old guys.

I could see why people might think they were a bit "meh", but I had a good time, and the audience was into it.

This isn't a great comparison, but going to see them felt like going to see Y&T. Y&T had bigger hits, but it was also basically the Dave Meniketti show, whereas Saxon had multiple guys that could play, and they pulled it off live.

Spongie wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 2:16 pm Name one Saxon song.

Baker Street. Killer sax hook.

Spongie wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 2:16 pm Name one Saxon song.

Motorcycle Man.

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:53 am
Yeah. I know Krokus got slagged as an ACDC clone early on, like Long Stick Goes Boom. Then they were Judas Priest for Headhunter, Def Leppard for The Blitz, and I dont even know what for what followed, but prolly some AOR bullshit.

Sammy Hagar.

Midnite Maniac apes a lot of melody from There's Only One Way To Rock imo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK-yRqHR48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcsFpztaJIc

FreddyFender wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 3:56 pm

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:53 am
Yeah. I know Krokus got slagged as an ACDC clone early on, like Long Stick Goes Boom. Then they were Judas Priest for Headhunter, Def Leppard for The Blitz, and I dont even know what for what followed, but prolly some AOR bullshit.

Sammy Hagar.

Midnite Maniac apes a lot of melody from There's Only One Way To Rock imo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPK-yRqHR48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcsFpztaJIc

That could be true, but the shift from spiked armband wearing, rich eating, night screaming, night wolfing, head hunting mettalers, to balroom blitzin', hot stuffin', our lovin', boys night outin' lightweights in zebra spandex wasnt due to Hagar, but rather our boys in Ratt and Lep selling gazillions.

Spongie wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 2:16 pm Name one Saxon song.













That’s why.

Unleash the beast

I'm sorry to interrupt the thread, but can we talk about Biff's cock and balls in the photo from the first post?


Liiiiiiiiike, that couldn't have been comfortable, right?

Sleek wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 5:14 pm I'm sorry to interrupt the thread, but can we talk about Biff's cock and balls in the photo from the first post?


Liiiiiiiiike, that couldn't have been comfortable, right?

That's all I remember about Saxon was seeing them in Hit Parader and Biff having an armadillo in his red spandex pants.

I don't ever really remember hearing any of their music back then.

I've recently starting listening to a bit and like Stevie said it's pretty meh. and the couple of songs that caught me ear, while okay, are kinda goofy.

It's like a shitty mix of a super nerdy version of Iron Maiden and Spinal Tap.

One word answer is…

Mediocrity

Van Ailin' wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 1:24 pm

Anthrax442 wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 7:14 am

I'm going to say a sentence never uttered by man. "Clearly, I need to listen to more Krokus".

Just make sure it's not Heart Attack or Change of Address. Start with Headhunter, One Vice, and Midnight Rendezvous. The only really heavy one is Headhunter. Otherwise, they were more of melodic hard rock band with pretty terrible lyrics and a really good singer.

Don’t forget their FOUR live albums.