Saxon / Dirkscheider - O2 Academy, Glasgow 9th November 2025

Wheels Of Steel.  

Saxons second album delivered what were to become some of the tracks of a generation of leather clad youths, 747 Strangers in the Night, Motorcycle Man and the title track itself which would become an anthem that has spanned decades.  

The was of course the Hell Fire and Damnation tour to support the latest release but to celebrate 45 years since the WOS release the band decided to play the album in its entirety. Possibly the last time this would happen.  

As if that was not enough tonight's support act was the German legend UDO Dirkshneider who back in 1983 hot on the heels of the NWOBHM boom saw his band Accept release their 4th album, the magnificent Balls To The Wall. I remember as a fresh faced 15 year who had gotten into metal via Maiden, Saxon, Priest and the Scorpions I was given a tape to listen to, the minute that riff of Balls to the Wall hit I was hooked, it was hard heavy and loud.  

So tonight's double treat was Dirkschneider and his band also playing the Balls To The Wall album in full. His band includes former Accept band mate Peter Baltes and his son Sven Dirkschneider on drums. 

If anyone has any doubt whether old school heavy metal still has a place in the musical world then look no further than a sold out 02 Academy, 2550 rockers of all ages are packed in, some of them would be mere twinkles in their fathers eyes when WOS was released but they are here tonight, teenagers alongside 60 odd year old men, all joined by the love of metal.  

As the lights dim that iconic riff from Balls To The Wall kicks and the its clear a good percentage of those in attendance are fully aware of this album. UDO takes the stage complete with the white gloves he wore on the original Balls To The Wall tour and his trademark camo jacket. Its hard to imagine that the combined age of both of tonight front men is 147 years, UDO is 73 and Biff is 74, that matters not a jot as neither have lost their voice in the slightest. UDO growls his way through the iconic hits from the album, London Leatherboys, Head Over Heals, Love Child, Losers and Winners and finishing with the slower Winterdreams. An encore is inevitable and we get the German folk music intro to Fast As A Shark, Its a properly heavy tune and the crowd sing along loudly before the Germans take their leave with the gigantic inflatable Dirkschneider balls still bouncing around the arena.

A short change and the lights dim and Saxons into kicks in, The large curtain drops and we are off into the title track from the latest album Hell, Fire and Damnation. Power and the Glory and Sacrifice complete the opening salvo. Brian Tatler has added a different dimension to the band and could celebrate being named the HRH Axeman of the year just a couple of days previous. Along with Doug Scarrett the complete that twin guitar attack Saxon are known for. As ever Nibbs Carter and Nigel Glockler complete the rhythm section. Backs to the Wall from the bands debut album is followed by Never Surrender, Madame Guillotine, Heavy Metal Thunder and no Saxon show would be complete without Dallas 1pm. That signaled the start of the Wheels of Steel album in full. An album that was remembered by Biff as coming out when there was no mobile phones, no social media, no cd's, Only music magazines like Kerrang and Sounds and the radio, the band even had to hang around a telephone box to take calls from their manager, a simpler time and one could argue a better time. 

The audience are in full voice for the big hits mentioned before but also with other classic metal master Like Suzie Hold On and Stand Up and Be Counted. Its cannot be passed over the Biff Byford has had his own battle of late and undergone some intensive treatment but his voice is as strong as its ever been and he reaches every note with perfection. A true living legend of Heavy Metal. 

The encores are iconic Saxon, Denim and Leather might just be the most heavy metal song about heavy metal ever and The Bands Played On, A second encore see's a slight deviation from the set list as the band treat the Glasgow crowd to and extra song with Strong Arm Of The Law and finally we end with Princess Of The Dawn. 

Never let anyone tell you Heavy Metal or Rock music is dead as long as teenagers are headbanging alongside their dads to iconic bands they are truly Keeping Rock Alive!!