SAXON - ROCK THE NATIONS - UK PRESSING 12" Vinyl LP Album

SAXON's 1986 masterpiece, "Rock the Nations," epitomizes British Heavy Metal excellence. Recorded at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, the UK pressing on a 12" vinyl LP showcases the band's raw power and melodic finesse. Produced by Gary Lyons, the album stands as a pinnacle of the NWOBHM era, a sonic triumph immortalized in the grooves of its UK release.

 

SAXON - Rock The Nations Uk Gt Britain Pressing 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

"Rock the Nations" Album Description:

In 1986, British Heavy Metal stalwarts SAXON unleashed their formidable prowess with "Rock the Nations." Produced by Gary Lyons and recorded at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, this studio album is a testament to the band's enduring impact on the metal scene. The UK pressing of the 12" vinyl LP not only delivers the raw power of SAXON's sound but also echoes the band's commitment to musical excellence. In the hallowed halls of Wisseloord Studios, each track was meticulously crafted, showcasing the band's ability to seamlessly blend aggression with melody.

"Rock the Nations" stands as a symbol of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement's zenith. The album's UK pressing, a manifestation of the band's roots, represents a sonic journey that captivates listeners with its unbridled energy. With Gary Lyons at the helm of production, the album achieved a sonic richness that elevated SAXON's sound to new heights.

The Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, known for their technical brilliance, provided an ideal canvas for SAXON's musical artistry. The album's recording process in the Netherlands marked a significant chapter in the band's discography, capturing the essence of an era when heavy metal was reaching new heights of creativity and expression.

As we revisit the UK pressing of "Rock the Nations," the 12" vinyl LP becomes more than just a record; it becomes a sonic tapestry that encapsulates the essence of British Heavy Metal in the mid-1980s. The album's legacy endures, serving as a testament to SAXON's impact on the global metal stage and the NWOBHM movement's enduring influence.

Collectors information:

Elton John plays piano on tracks 7 & 9

This album "SAXON - Rock The Nations UK pressing" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and photos.

Music Genre:

NWOBHM New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
Album Production Information:

Producer : Gary Lyons
Recorded at : Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland , 1986
Mixed at : Wisseloord Studios
Elton John plays piano on tracks 7 & 9
Artwork by : Paul Gregory

Record Label & Catalognr:

EMI EMC 3515

Media Format:

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

1986 Made in England
Band Members and Musicians on: SAXON - Rock The Nations UK pressing
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Biff Byford - vocals
  • Biff Byford – Vocals

    Saxon's iron-lung frontman since 1976, still turning choruses into marching orders.

    Biff Byford, Saxon's storm-tested voice, is the bloke who can turn a chorus into a pub chant and a battle order in the same breath. I first clock him in the mid-1970s fronting Son of a Bitch, then he takes the wheel when Saxon forms in 1976 and never really lets go. The NWOBHM years are where he stamps the passport: "Wheels of Steel" and "Strong Arm of the Law" (1980) push them into headliner territory, and "Denim and Leather" (1981) seals the tribe. The mid-80s gloss got purists grumbling, but he kept touring and recording through the 1990s. Later he went solo with "School of Hard Knocks" (2020) and formed Heavy Water with his son. He never sang like he was asking permission.

    Biff Byford Wiki
  • Graham Oliver - guitar
  • Graham Oliver – Guitar

    Saxon co-founder (1976–1995), twin-lead architect, later keeping the flame alive with Oliver/Dawson Saxon.

    Graham Oliver, Saxon’s original lead guitarist, is the bloke who made those early twin-lead harmonies feel like two motorbikes racing down the same hill. I remember him from the Son of a Bitch days (mid-1970s), then as a Saxon founder from 1976 to 1995 through the classic NWOBHM punch—“Wheels of Steel” and “Strong Arm of the Law” (1980), “Denim and Leather” (1981)—where his tone stayed bright, sharp, and just a bit reckless. After leaving, the band-name dispute turned into paperwork warfare. From the late 1990s into the 2000s he resurfaced with Oliver/Dawson Saxon, keeping the old songs alive with Steve Dawson. Not tidy. Not polite. Very Oliver.

    Graham Oliver Wiki
  • Paul Quinn - guitar
  • Paul Quinn – Guitar

    Founding Saxon guitarist (1975–present; not touring since 2023) with riffs that hit like a rivet gun.

    Paul Quinn is the quiet engine of Saxon, a Barnsley guitarist who helped turn late-70s pub grit into NWOBHM muscle. I first clock him in Son of a Bitch (1975-1978), then in Saxon from 1978 onward, locking riffs with Graham Oliver while Biff Byford barked the orders. The early run hit like a double punch: "Wheels of Steel" and "Strong Arm of the Law" (1980), then "Denim and Leather" (1981) when the scene became a tribe. He kept the machine running through the 80s and into the early 90s, even when labels wanted polish and the fans wanted blood. In 2023 he stepped back from touring; Brian Tatler took the live seat, while Quinn stayed on for studio work. Sensible, sure. Still stings.

    Paul Quinn Wiki
  • Paul Johnson - bass (actually bass guitar was played by Byford before Johnson joined the band)
  • Nigel Glockler - drums
Complete Track Listing of: "SAXON - Rock The Nations UK pressing"
    The Song/tracks on "Rock The Nations" are:
  • Rock the Nations 4:40
  • Battle Cry 5:26
  • Waiting For the Night (Byford/Glockler) 4:51
  • We Came Here to Rock 4:18
  • You Ain't No Angel 5:28
  • Running Hot (Byford/Quinn/Oliver/Dawson/Glockler) 3:35
  • Party Til You Puke 3:25
  • Empty Promises 4:09
  • Northern Lady 4:42

 

Saxon: Revving Up the New Wave of British Heavy Metal - A Discography

SAXON - Anthology album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Anthology

Saxon's 'Anthology,' a monumental compilation, emerged in the musical landscape of 1988. The British Heavy Metal icons unveiled this masterpiece as a 12" double LP, a testament to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. The anthology encapsulates the band's prowess, offering an auditory journey

Anthology 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Back on the Streets album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Back on the Streets

In the mid-1980s, British heavy metal band Saxon released an extended 12" vinyl maxi-single featuring two tracks, "Back on the Streets (Extended Version)" and "Live Fast Die Young". This release aimed to capitalize on the success of their album "Innocence Is No Excuse" and further solidify their position

Back on the Streets 12" Vinyl Maxi
SAXON - Crusader album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Crusader

Saxon's "Crusader," a hallmark of NWOBHM in 1984, exemplifies the genre's evolution. Produced by Kevin Beamish, known for his 1980s metal expertise, the 12" Gatefold vinyl offers a tactile journey. This album, a blend of anthems and experimentation, embodies the era's heavy metal spirit.

Crusader 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Denim and Leather album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Denim and Leather

In the early 1980s, amidst a burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, Saxon released their iconic album "Denim and Leather" on 12" vinyl LP. This album solidified their standing in the genre and became an anthem for the burgeoning heavy metal community.

Denim and Leather 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed (Canadian and French Releases) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed (Canadian and French Releases)

Released as a 12" vinyl LP album, this live recording transports listeners back to a time when heavy metal was forging its identity, a genre marked by unbridled passion, piercing guitar solos, and anthemic vocals. The early 1980s were a defining period for metal, witnessing the rise of iconic bands

- The Eagle has Landed Live (1982, Canada) - The Eagle Has Landed Live (1982, France)
SAXON - Innocence Is No Excuse album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Innocence Is No Excuse

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 vocal

Innocence Is No Excuse 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Power and the Glory album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Power and the Glory

The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a pivotal moment in the history of heavy metal, giving rise to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This movement, characterized by a raw and energetic sound, emerged as a reaction to the perceived stagnation in the rock and metal scenes of the time.

Power and the Glory 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Rock The Nations (British and German Releases) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Rock The Nations (British and German Releases)

Saxon's 1986 release, 'Rock The Nations,' epitomizes the NWOBHM era's spirit. Recorded at Wisseloord Studios, the album, featuring Elton John on select tracks, is a testament to Saxon's musical prowess. The production quality at Hilversum elevated their raw sound, contributing to their status as NWOBHM

- Rock the Nations (1986, England) - Rock The Nations (1986, Germany)

SAXON - S/T Self-Titled album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - S/T Self-Titled

Saxon burst onto the music scene at a time when rock music was undergoing a transformation. The late '70s witnessed the emergence of a new wave of British heavy metal, a movement characterized by the fusion of traditional heavy metal with punk and hard rock influences.

SAXON - Self-Titled 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Strong Arm Metal, Saxon's Greatest Hits album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Strong Arm Metal, Saxon's Greatest Hits

SAXON's "Strong Arm Metal" is not just an album; it's a journey through the very essence of heavy metal. Released during a period when the genre was exploding with creativity and innovation, the album compiles some of the band's most iconic tracks, showcasing their ability to craft anthems

Strong Arm Metal, Saxon's Greatest Hits 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Strong Arm of the Law album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Strong Arm of the Law

Saxon's 1980 album "Strong Arm of the Law," released on Carrere Records in France, encapsulates the dynamic early 1980s metal scene. A product of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the album's production on a 12" vinyl LP resonates with the era's analog warmth.

Strong Arm of the Law 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Wheels of Steel (Multiple International Versions) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Wheels of Steel (Multiple International Versions)

The release of "Wheels of Steel" by the British Heavy Metal band SAXON in 1980 marked a significant moment in the history of the genre. This iconic album, recorded at Ramport Studios in London, UK, and produced by Pete Hinton and Saxon themselves, became a cornerstone in the metal landscape.

- Wheels of Steel (1980, England) - Wheels of Steels ( 1980, Europe ) - Wheels of Steel (1980, France) - Wheels of Steel (1980, USA)