Saxon's "Innocence Is No Excuse," a seminal British Heavy Metal masterpiece, emerged in 1985 as the band's seventh studio album. Marking their debut with EMI post a rift with Carrere Records, the LP showcases Saxon's resilience and evolution. Its tracks resonate with powerful guitar riffs and anthemic vocals, cementing its place as a pivotal work in the vibrant 1980s metal scene.
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Album Description & Collectors information: Saxon is a British heavy metal band that formed in 1977. They are known for their powerful, guitar-driven sound and their energetic live performances. "Innocence Is No Excuse" is one of the band's most successful albums, released in 1986. Saxon emerged during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They quickly established themselves as one of the leading bands in the genre, with a string of successful albums and singles. The band's lineup has undergone numerous changes over the years, but has always been anchored by vocalist Biff Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn. "Innocence Is No Excuse" was Saxon's twelfth studio album and their first with new guitarist Graham Oliver. The album was produced by Simon Hanhart and recorded at Hook End Manor Studios in Oxfordshire, England. It was released on the EMI label in 1986 and received critical acclaim for its powerful riffs and catchy hooks. "Innocence Is No Excuse" is a 12" LP vinyl album that features ten tracks of classic heavy metal. The album kicks off with "Rockin' Again," a fast-paced anthem that sets the tone for the rest of the record. "Innocence Is No Excuse" is a classic album that showcases Saxon's talents as one of the premier heavy metal bands of the 1980s. The album is characterized by its powerful guitar riffs, memorable choruses, and impressive musicianship. It remains a favorite among fans of classic heavy metal and is a must-have for any serious collector of vinyl albums. This album "SAXON - Innocence is NO Excuse" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos |
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Music Genre: NWOBHM - New Wave Of British Heavy Metal |
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Album The album: "SAXON - Innocence is NO Excuse" was produced by: Simon Hanhart This album was recorded at: Union Studios, Munich , Germany Mixed by SImon Hanhart and Saxon and Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland Album cover design: Nigel THomas, Bill Smith Studio Album cover photography: Frank Griffin & Gered Mankowit |
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Record Label & Catalognr: EMI Parlophone 1C 064-24 0400 1 |
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Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
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Year & Country: 1986 Made in Germany |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SAXON - Innocence is NO Excuse |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "SAXON - Innocence is NO Excuse" |
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The detailed tracklist of this record "SAXON - Innocence is NO Excuse" is:
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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )
Saxon was a British heavy metal band that emerged in the late 1970s and went on to achieve considerable success during the 1980s. The band, which consisted of Biff Byford on vocals, Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn on guitar, Steve Dawson on bass, and Nigel Glockler on drums, was known for their high-energy performances, catchy hooks, and hard-driving riffs.
During the early 1980s, Saxon released a string of successful albums, including "Wheels of Steel" (1980), "Strong Arm of the Law" (1980), and "Denim and Leather" (1981). These albums established Saxon as one of the leading bands in the new wave of British heavy metal, alongside bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard.
One of the defining characteristics of Saxon's music during this period was their use of twin guitar harmonies, a technique popularized by Thin Lizzy and used by many of the leading metal bands of the time. This technique was particularly prominent on songs like "Princess of the Night" and "And the Bands Played On," both of which became fan favorites and staples of the band's live shows.
Saxon's success during the 1980s was not limited to the UK. The band was also popular in the US, where they toured extensively and made a number of high-profile appearances on shows like "The Merv Griffin Show" and "American Bandstand." Their popularity in the US was helped by the fact that they had a sound that was more accessible than some of their contemporaries, with a heavy emphasis on melody and catchy hooks.
Despite their success, Saxon was not without their share of controversies during the 1980s. One of the most notable of these was their decision to play a show in apartheid-era South Africa in 1981, which led to widespread criticism and accusations of racism. The band defended their decision, stating that they did not support apartheid and that their primary motivation was to play for their fans in the country. However, the controversy led to a boycott of the band in some countries, and they were banned from performing in New Zealand and Australia for several years.
There have been several controversies surrounding the English rock band Saxon throughout their career. Here are a few notable ones:
"Denim and Leather" controversy: In 1981, Saxon released their album "Denim and Leather" which paid tribute to their fans and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. However, the album cover featured a photo of two young boys wearing denim and leather jackets, which some critics and fans felt was inappropriate and exploitative. The band defended the cover, saying it was meant to symbolize the next generation of metal fans.
"Crusader" controversy: In 1984, Saxon released their album "Crusader" which had a title track that was accused of promoting Christian crusades and religious intolerance. The band denied these allegations and said the song was meant to be about standing up for one's beliefs.
Nigel Glockler's firing: In 1987, Saxon fired their drummer Nigel Glockler due to creative differences. This caused a rift in the band and led to several lineup changes over the years.
Graham Oliver's departure: In 1995, Saxon parted ways with guitarist Graham Oliver, who sued the band over trademark infringement for continuing to use the Saxon name without his consent. The lawsuit was settled out of court, and Oliver went on to form his own version of Saxon.
"Solid Ball of Rock" artwork: In 1991, Saxon released their album "Solid Ball of Rock" which featured artwork that was accused of being sexist and objectifying women. The band defended the artwork, saying it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek and not to be taken seriously.
In addition to their controversies, Saxon also faced some internal tensions during the 1980s. One of the most significant of these was the departure of guitarist Graham Oliver in 1995, which was followed by a period of declining commercial success and changes in the band's lineup. However, Saxon remained a popular live act and continued to release new music throughout the 1990s and 2000s.