SAXON
DiAMOND HEAD/ROCK GODDESSES
THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF
Barnsley’s metal troopers keep the fires burning
decision to hang up their guitars and air raid sirens before descending into nostalgic novelty, it’s expedited the discussion regarding how long metal bands can – or should – keep going for.
For DIAMOND HEAD [4] the question isn’t necessarily when they need to stop but rather how are they still going? Yes, they’re highly influential and it’s great to see Brian Tatler peeling out the licks, yet being flanked by an enthusiastic but forgettable frontman, being outshone by the NWOBHM-worshipping zeal of support ROCK GODDESSES [6] and getting a sole cheer for a song that’s 35 years old – admittedly if you don’t enjoy Am I Evil? something’s amiss – does not a compelling case make. What saves SAXON [7] from falling into a similar trap is that despite approaching their 40th anniversary they have a robust collection of new songs and some recent favourites to sit alongside the steel-clad classics of yesteryear. Most of the tracks from their latest album, Thunderbolt, more than hold their own on their first live outing, with the Motörhead tribute They Played Rock
And Roll and title track invigorating the Saxon vintage with some fresh ideas. The evergreen Biff Byford plays a cheeky hand when donning a red Welsh Guards jacket for Sniper, and on tonight’s evidence you get the impression that both he and the rest of the band have the energy, desire, execution and adoring audience to carry on for many years yet.