SAXON - Wheels of Steel 12" Vinyl LP Album

- French Release

SAXON’s Wheels of Steel isn't just a record; it's a revelation, a roaring embodiment of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Released in 1980, this album didn't merely emerge; it tore out of the gate, screeching into a world hungover from the 1970s, still clinging to the embers of punk while tentatively peeking into the shadows of what would become the heavy metal explosion of the early ‘80s. This French release, pressed under the Carrere label (Catalogue Number: 67.484), captures that zeitgeist in a way that is raw, unrefined, and yet powerfully polished—a paradox that only heavy metal can pull off without the blink of an eye.

In the historical context, Wheels of Steel arrived at a moment when Britain was choking on the fumes of economic stagnation and social disillusionment. Margaret Thatcher had just come into power, and the punk era’s furious sneer was giving way to a more deliberate, anthemic aggression. SAXON, led by the leather-lunged Biff Byford, plugged directly into that energy, amplifying it with the iron-clad riffs and galloping rhythms that would come to define the NWOBHM movement.

Musically, Wheels of Steel is an album that sits at the crossroads of heavy metal’s lineage. It’s as if SAXON took a map of rock ‘n’ roll history, marked out the best routes from the bluesy swagger of Led Zeppelin, through the thunderous crunch of Black Sabbath, and into the quicksilver riffs of Deep Purple. But SAXON wasn’t interested in just retracing old paths; they wanted to carve their own road. The album’s title track is a rallying cry for the working-class hero, a blue-collar anthem wrapped in chains of steel and driven by a riff that feels like it could pull a freight train.

The genre exploration here is not just in the riffs or the lyrical content, but in the overall sound that SAXON cultivated. This album is pure heavy metal, but it’s a kind of metal that wears its influences on its sleeve while forging ahead with its own identity. Tracks like “Motorcycle Man” and “747 (Strangers in the Night)” are built on the foundation of rock ‘n’ roll, but they speed off into heavier, darker territories, with a pace and intensity that leaves punk rock in the dust and sets the stage for the thrash metal to come.

But it’s not all smooth cruising. The album’s production, helmed by Pete Hinton alongside the band themselves, is a point of contention. Recorded at Ramport Studios in London—a studio with a history as storied as the bands that passed through its doors— Wheels of Steel has a sound that is as sharp as a steel blade but sometimes as rough as a gravel road. Hinton’s production is minimalist; it doesn’t over-polish or embellish, leaving the raw energy of the band intact. This approach, while capturing the visceral power of SAXON’s live sound, also exposes some of the album’s rougher edges—most notably, a few moments where the mix feels a touch too muddy, the drums a bit too flat. But these are minor blemishes on what is otherwise a pristine beast of a record.

There’s also an undercurrent of controversy surrounding the album, not least because of its unapologetic embrace of the biker culture. “Motorcycle Man” isn’t just a song; it’s an ode, a full-throttle celebration of the rebellious freedom that the motorcycle symbolized. In a time when metal was beginning to be associated with the darker elements of society—bikers, outlaws, and fringe subcultures—SAXON didn’t shy away from that connection. They leaned into it, revved the engine, and blasted down the highway.

Ramport Studios, where the album was recorded, was a critical part of this process. Located in Battersea, London, and originally owned by The Who, Ramport had seen its share of rock legends, but in 1980 it was a place where SAXON could hone their sound without the prying eyes of major labels. This freedom allowed them to capture the raw energy and power that defines Wheels of Steel . The walls of Ramport absorbed every decibel of SAXON’s furious performance, and you can feel that in the grooves of this record.

In the grand tapestry of metal, Wheels of Steel stands as a banner unfurled at the dawn of a new era. It’s not just about the music, the riffs, or the image. It’s about capturing a moment in time when heavy metal was breaking out of the shadows, when the music was as much about the lifestyle as it was about the sound. SAXON was at the forefront of this movement, and Wheels of Steel is their manifesto—a declaration that heavy metal wasn’t just music; it was a way of life.

The French release of this album, through Carrere, brings with it a certain je ne sais quoi—a nod to the broader European appetite for this burgeoning sound. It’s as if the grooves of the vinyl hold not just the music, but the very spirit of rebellion, freedom, and unyielding power that SAXON embodied. Wheels of Steel is more than just an album; it’s a battle cry, a fist in the air, a roaring engine that never quits.

In the electrifying landscape of *Wheels of Steel*, one track soars above the rest—“747 (Strangers in the Night)”. This song is the defining moment of SAXON’s 1980 release, a track that not only encapsulates the band’s sonic power but also cements their place in the pantheon of heavy metal giants.

“747 (Strangers in the Night)” is more than just a fan favorite; it’s a song that showcases SAXON's unique ability to weave narrative storytelling into the muscular framework of heavy metal. The track tells the gripping tale of an aircraft—a Boeing 747—forced to make an emergency landing due to a blackout in New York City. It’s a story that feels like it could have been ripped from the headlines, yet it’s delivered with the urgency and drama that only SAXON could muster.

Musically, “747 (Strangers in the Night)” is a masterclass in building tension. The song opens with a clean, almost ominous guitar line that sets the stage for what’s to come. As the drums and bass kick in, the atmosphere thickens, and Biff Byford’s vocals take center stage, narrating the tale with a mix of gravity and raw emotion. Byford’s voice, already an iconic instrument in its own right, is at its best here—strong, clear, and commanding. He draws the listener in, making you feel the weight of the moment, the uncertainty of the situation.

The chorus of “747” is nothing short of anthemic. It’s the kind of chorus that sticks in your head long after the record stops spinning, with the repeated refrain of “Strangers in the night” echoing like a rallying cry. This is a chorus built for live performance, for arenas filled with metalheads pumping their fists in unison. It’s the kind of moment that heavy metal thrives on—communal, powerful, and unforgettable.

Instrumentally, SAXON is firing on all cylinders in this track. Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver’s dual guitar attack is razor-sharp, blending melodic lines with heavy riffs that drive the song forward. Their playing is both disciplined and expressive, leaving just enough space in the arrangement to let the song breathe, but never allowing the energy to dip. Steve Dawson’s bass is the backbone, holding the track together with a steady, propulsive rhythm, while Pete Gill’s drumming is precise and forceful, adding to the song’s sense of momentum.

But what truly sets “747 (Strangers in the Night)” apart is its cinematic quality. The song is almost like a mini-movie, with each verse adding another layer to the story, building toward a climax that feels both inevitable and satisfying. The bridge, where Byford sings “Oh, we were strangers in the night / Both on separate flights,” brings a touch of melancholy to the song, highlighting the human element within the broader narrative of technological failure and disaster.

The production of the track is also worth noting. Pete Hinton, along with the band, crafted a sound that’s clean yet powerful, allowing each instrument to shine while maintaining the overall cohesion of the song. The mix is balanced, with Byford’s vocals sitting perfectly atop the instrumentation, and the guitars cutting through without overpowering the rhythm section. It’s a production that serves the song well, ensuring that the story and the music are given equal weight.

Lyrically, “747 (Strangers in the Night)” is a standout in SAXON’s catalog. The lyrics are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of the scenario with a clarity that’s rare in heavy metal. There’s a sense of urgency in the words, a feeling that something important is happening, and you’re right there in the middle of it. The song taps into universal themes—fear, isolation, the unpredictability of life—that resonate with listeners, even as it tells a very specific story.

“747 (Strangers in the Night)” became a staple of SAXON’s live shows and a fan favorite for a reason. It’s a song that combines all the best elements of heavy metal—powerful riffs, a memorable chorus, strong vocals, and a compelling story—into a package that feels both timeless and timely. Even decades after its release, the song retains its power, a testament to SAXON’s skill as songwriters and performers.

In the grander scheme of *Wheels of Steel*, “747 (Strangers in the Night)” is the track that elevates the album from great to legendary. It’s the song that you’ll remember long after the record has finished, the one that you’ll find yourself humming, singing, and shouting along to. For SAXON, it was a breakthrough moment—a song that showcased their ability to not just play heavy metal, but to transcend it, creating something that resonates with fans across generations.