• Black Vinyl
  
  

Saxon emerged from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement in 1979, establishing themselves as workmanlike purveyors of straightforward, riff-driven heavy metal. Throughout the 1980s, the band built a dedicated following through relentless touring and consistent studio output, becoming one of the genre's most prolific acts. Decade Of The Eagle: The Anthology 1979-1988 surveys this formative period, capturing Saxon at their commercial and creative peak before the genre's fortunes shifted in the early 1990s.

This compilation traces Saxon's evolution across nine years of material, pulling key tracks from their most essential releases. "Wheels Of Steel" and "Strong Arm Of The Law" showcase the band's knack for anthemic choruses built on galloping rhythms, while deeper cuts like "747 (Strangers In The Night)" demonstrate their ability to sustain narrative detail across extended compositions. "Denim And Leather" and "Power And The Glory" exemplify the working-class ethos and blue-collar swagger that defined their appeal, grounded in straightforward songwriting and muscular guitar work. "Backs To The Wall" rounds out the selection with the band's characteristic blend of accessibility and metal credibility.

This 2017 BMG reissue presents the anthology on vinyl, offering collectors a single-entry point to Saxon's most commercially successful period. The format captures the full-frequency bandwidth of these studio recordings, particularly the bass-heavy production favored in the early-to-mid 1980s. For those building a NWOBHM collection beyond the usual suspects, this pressing provides essential context for understanding the movement's breadth and enduring commercial appeal.

Tracklist:

A1. Backs To The Wall
A2. Wheels Of Steel
A3. 747 (Strangers In The Night)
A4. Strong Arm Of The Law
A5. Denim And Leather
B1. Power And The Glory
B2. Sailing To America
B3. Rock N'Roll Gypsy
B4. Waiting For The Night
B5. Ride Like The Wind