Saxon brought the heavy metal thunder to Tokyo
Saxon proved to its Japanese fans that the band is not only still relevant, it commands the world’s metalheads from the front.
Saxon at Stream Hall, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan on 27th April 2025
The mighty Saxon was at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The band’s classic albums (“Saxon”, “Wheels of Steel”, “Strong Arm of the Law”, “Denim and Leather”, “Power & the Glory”) were released in 1979-83. They could so easily long ago have become a legacy act, a band touring the catalogue to the delight of old-school fans.
But that is not what Saxon is. Saxon remains a vibrant and relevant band and a formidable live act in 2025. For their final show of a three-date Japan run, they opened with the fabulous “Hell, Fire and Damnation”, the title track from last year’s excellent album.
When original guitarist Paul Quinn decided to stop touring with the band, that could’ve been the end of it. But band leader Biff Byford knew that only one man in the world was right for this job. That man was Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler. Now, a couple of years later, Brian is an integral part of the band. He not only performs the old tunes with flair, but he also writes new songs with the band. He has given this terrific band somewhat of a life extension.
In addition to Biff and Brian, the current line-up of Saxon consists of long-term members Nibbs Carter on bass, Doug Scarratt on guitar and Nigel Glockler on drums. The band is tight. The relentless touring has made Saxon an unstoppable force. Biff’s voice is still at a level where he can sing the classics properly. Brian Tatler’s guitar is the icing on the Saxon cake. Replacing Paul Quinn is nigh on impossible (as Biff noted in our backstage interview before the gig). But Brian has successfully done it by staying true to the originals while at the same time bringing his own style into the mix.
The first part of the set included a mix of newer songs (“Hell, Fire and Damnation”, “There’s Something in Roswell”), a couple of 90s favourites (“Dogs of War”, “Solid Ball of Rock”) and old favourites (“Backs to the Wall”, “Heavy Metal Thunder”, “Never Surrender”, “Broken Heroes”). What a start! It was a great demonstration that this band has been delivering the goods for five decades.
The middle part of the show involved the band performing all nine songs from the band’s classic “Wheels of Steel” album from 1980 (“Motorcycle Man”, “Stand Up and Be Counted”, “”747 (Strangers in the Night)”, “Wheels of Steel”, “Freeway Mad”, “See the Light Shining”, “Street Fighting Gang”, “Suzie Hold On”, “Machine Gun”). What a treat!
The extended encore was a victory lap: “Crusader”, “Denim and Leather”, “Strong Arm of the Law”, the excellent new track “1066” and “And the Bands Played On”. When it was time for “Denim and Leather”, three metalhead battle vests were thrown onto the stage from the audience. Nibbs, Doug and Brian put them on as they kept playing. It was a sign of the brotherhood between the band and its audience. Saxon rounded off what had become a 23-song set with “Princess of the Night”.
While the Saxon lads have not been frequent visitors to Japan, they have a cult status here as one of the main original NWOBHM acts. They are loved by Japan’s metalheads. This evening, there was plenty of headbanging, air-guitar playing and fists pumping the air as a way to salute one of the best heavy metal bands in the business.
We are grateful that this band has played on. We hope to see them back on stage in Japan soon.
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