Tonight, Wolverhampton is treated to two heavy metal heavyweights, who will each pay homage to one of their landmark albums. We have Saxon presenting the 1980 classic ‘Wheels of Steel’, and Dirkschneider (Udo, his son Sven, and friends) playing Accept’s equally classic ‘Balls to the Wall’. Tonight feels like more of a joint headline tour rather than headliner and support act. The Wolverhampton Halls is sold out… let’s go!

Dirkschneider

Saxon and Dirkschneider have some history together over recent years – Udo’s son Sven Dirkschneider played drums for Saxon in 2015, filling in for Nigel Glockler whilst he recovered from an aneurysm. They’ve clearly stayed in touch afterwards, as Biff Byford sings on the newly re-recorded ‘Balls to the Wall – Reloaded’ album, which features a guest vocalist on each song (Biff taking ‘London Leatherboys’).

The band takes the stage and the first thing that strikes me is that Udo looks pretty much exactly the same as he has done for the last few decades – diminutive in height but certainly not in stage presence or vocal power. He welcomes the crowd and confirms that we are indeed getting the album in full before launching into the title track. Sven’s drumming is fluid and precise; he’s also microphoned up to provide backing vocals and stays consistent with the original recording. Speaking of originals, it’s Peter Baltes playing bass – Accept founding member and longtime U.D.O. solo band collaborator; to commemorate this tour his bass is emblazoned with ‘BALLS’ on one side and ‘TO THE WALL’ on the reverse. I was wondering whether Biff would make a guest vocals appearance on London Leatherboys but sadly not on this occasion. It would have been a nice touch but in all honesty, Dirkschneider needs no help in making this record sound electric.

I’m happy to report that guitar and bass have a reassuring old school feel, whilst Udo’s voice still has that characteristic shrill tone… no mean feat for a 73 year old!

Dirkschneider draws rapturous applause from the Black Country crowd. It reaffirms my thoughts prior to this gig that usually when bands split up, the fans lose out. But with the now Mark Tornillo-fronted Accept putting out great new records, and Udo & company reimagining the old classics… it feels like we’ve actually gained.

Setlist:

Balls to the Wall

London Leatherboys

Fight It Back

Head Over Heels

Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had

Love Child

Turn Me On

Losers and Winners

Guardian of the Night

Winterdreams

Fast as a Shark

Saxon

NWOBHM titans Saxon need no introduction, but i’ll give one anyway. They’ve not only been at the forefront of British metal since 1979, but have since shown such consistency in quality with their album releases right through until last year’s ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’. Headlining  some of the biggest festivals in the world, even having Ozzy support them in the 80s. The lineup is now bolstered by Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler – replacing founding guitarist Paul Quinn, who took a step back from the physical demands of touring last year (but continues to be involved behind the scenes). It’s time, and the intro tape ‘The Prophecy’ rings out . . .

Kicking off with the title track from the latest album – Hell, Fire and Damnation, Saxon give us a fleeting glimpse of 2024, before swiftly rewinding. Make no mistake about it, this is a classics setlist – of the 21 songs they play tonight, only 3 are post-1983 (before this reviewer was even born). Straight from the off, the crowd is in full voice, showing support for the new and the old. Like Udo, Biff’s voice has aged gracefully and he looks as sharp as ever with his blond flowing locks atop the trademark military jacket. “Who likes Lemmy??!” he asks the crowd. “We first played this with Motorhead in 1980!”, introducing ‘Backs To The Wall’. Madame Guillotine is the other standout new track during the first half. Saxon have always written songs based on historical events or eras (Conquistador/Crusader anyone?) but this time we focus on the French Revolution. After a rousing rendition of ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’ we have time for one more historical documentary track – ‘Dallas 1pm’, penned about the assassination of JFK.

Now it’s the moment we were all waiting for… “We’re going back to 1980, and we’re taking you with us!’ bellows Biff, as Doug Scarett kicks off the unmistakable riff to ‘Motorcycle Man’.

Nothing needs to be said about the next 9 tracks – ‘Wheels of Steel’ stands the test of time as one of the best British metal album of the 80s – you either like it or you don’t, but suffice it to say that Saxon tore through it with class and finesse, ending with the contrast between the beautifully serene ‘Suzy Hold On’ and riff heavy ‘Machine Gun’.

The band pretend to say their goodbyes, as Biff makes it perfectly clear that if we clap enough, they’re coming back out. So clap we do, and we are treated to a 4 song encore, kicking off with ‘Denim & Leather’ – the ultimate anthem of Heavy Metal brotherhood. I look around and swathes of strangers have their arms around each other headbanging in unison. A denim battle jacket is thrown on stage which Biff promptly retrieves, and passes to Brian Tatler, who wears it for the rest of the gig. “We’ll sign it for you later” shouts Biff, making some fan’s dream come true.

Next is my personal favourite ‘And The Bands Played On’ – a song written about the Donington Festival of old, and then we receive the very welcome news that a new album has been written and recorded, due out next year.

It’s been a brilliant performance by Saxon tonight – one of the best times I’ve ever seen them, and I can’t put my finger on a specific reason, they just sound fantastic all round. Is it Nibbs’ headbanging enthusiasm, beaming from ear to ear? Is it the addition of Brian Tatler into the fold, or Nigel Glockler’s relentless drumming? (Honestly, he hits that kit like it owes him money). Or perhaps Biff Byford’s soaring vocals and characteristic Barnsley wit? I’m not entirely sure, but what I know is that Saxon have somehow found a way to reignite the old magic without becoming confined to simply being a nostalgia act. Five Stars.

Setlist:

Hell, Fire and Damnation

Power and the Glory

Sacrifice

Backs to the Wall

Never Surrender

Madame Guillotine

Heavy Metal Thunder

Dallas 1 PM

Motorcycle Man

Stand Up and Be Counted

747 (Strangers in the Night)

Wheels of Steel

Freeway Mad

See the Light Shining

Street Fighting Gang

Suzie Hold On

Machine Gun

Encore:

Denim and Leather

And the Bands Played On

Strong Arm of the Law

Princess of the Night

Review and photos by Rob Lindesay (@rock.the.lens)