10 New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Bands That Are Better Than Ever

By Christopher Jennings /

2. Saxon

Classic Album You Should Own: Wheels of Steel (1980). An undisputed classic, Saxon's second album has stood the test of time; 747 (Strangers in the Night), Motorcycle Man and the title track are as jaw-droppingly effective as ever. Recommended Modern Album: The Inner Sanctum (2007). Frantic, frenetic and full of hard-edged Metal anthems, Saxon hadn't sounded this ferocious and downright heavy in years. "Need For Speed" and "Let Me Feel Your Power" provide the required drive and aggression but it's album highlight "Atila The Hun" that provides the most hair-raising thrills; the closest a British band has ever come to rivalling Judas Priest's classic and ferocious track "Painkiller", and a flawless end to a consummate modern Metal album. Saxon's albums Wheels of Steel, Denim and Leather and Strong Arm of the Law may be considered their 'golden' era but it's in the last 10 years that they have proven their pedigree as NWOBHM top dogs. Fans have been treated to no less than 5 virtually flawless albums in the last 10 years alone. In fact, the band appear to be in the form of their life. The albums Lionheart (2004), The Inner Sanctum (2007), Into the Labyrinth (2009), Call to Arms (2011) and Sacrifice (2013) are modern Metal masterclasses one and all, the band channeling a seemingly endless stream of creativity which shows no signs of abating. Saxon remain one of the true survivors of the NWOBHM and are one of the few truly classic metal acts still in existence and still operating at the top of their game. In an age when many bands are content to ride the nostalgia train, Saxon stand tall as a band who have no need to re-live their glory days; they€™re still right in the middle of them.