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Trends may come and trends may go, but New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers Saxon carry on carrying on (as Spinal Tap would put it), year after year, label after label, lineup after lineup, through thick and thin, no matter the cost. And credit their persistence, because by the mid-'90s the long suffering quintet had begun to overcome an incredibly long streak of bad business decisions and misguided artistic directions to forge a respectable comeback -- primarily in Europe. Released in 1999, Metalhead arrived squarely in the midst of this modest comeback, and its title clearly references the earnest, pop-averse, patently obvious heavy metal hallmarks that allowed Saxon to make this recovery, once they embraced it once again. Led by the instantly recognizable voice of frontman Biff Byford, the quintet (recently revamped with new German drummer Fritz Randow) rips into action with the bombastic title track, then rolls into one of its best all-around songs of the decade in the regal "Are We Travellers in Time." Ensuing thrash-outs "Conquistador" and "All Guns Blazing" prove surprisingly convincing, and despite losing some focus on the intermediate tracks, Metalhead finishes strong with the epic sweep of "Sea of Life." Mind you, none of it is groundbreaking stuff, at the end of the day, and while there's little hope it will lure younger fans to Saxon's cause, at least the old metal warriors appear to be having fun again, rather than trying to be something they're not. This is music to the ears of their veteran followers, who remember what horrors came before. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia
Recorded at Karo Studios, Hamburg, Germany.
Personnel: Biff Byford (vocals); Doug Scarratt, Paul Quinn (guitar); Charly Bauerfeind (recorder); Chris Bay (keyboards); Fritz Randow (drums).
Audio Mixer: Charly Bauerfeind.
Recording information: Hamburg, Gemany; KARO Studios, Brackel.
Introduction by: Nigel Glockler.
Photographer: Thorsten Eichhorst.
Saxon: Biff Byford (vocals); Paul Quinn, Doug Scarratt (guitar); Nibbs Carter (bass); Fritz Randow (drums).
Additional personnel: Chris Bay (keyboards).
Metalhead Music Review
Average Rating: (4.8 out of 5 stars)    List All 6 Reviews They're BACK!!!!!
After hearing Power & the Glory (1983), I thought that the New Age of British Heavy Metal was losing their edge. But Metalhead (1999) proves that Saxon is still the best pure Metal band going! Although Biff and Paul are the only originals still going, they still know how to rock with the Maidenesque Conquistidor, along with the title track and "Are we travelers in time?". I only wish that I didn't have to pay import prices to hear the best Metal going. What's with you American Metal fans???????????
Submitted by ragingcheez (Gardner, MA) 
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Saxon is Back
To all the metalheads who abandoned Saxon in the '90s for bands that displayed a more aggressive aspect to their music, don't write off these talented musicians yet. METALHEAD is by far Saxon's best work of the '90s. They return to the metal scene with an album that exhibits the traditional excellent vocals of Biff Byfford, yet with a sound that has a decidedly more aggressive tendency, with lots of catchy riffs and impressive rhythms. This album should appeal to both the older fans of '80s metal and younger fans who prefer a more intense aspect to their music. No true Metal fan should be disappointed by this album!
Submitted by a reviewer (Redmond, WA)
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Saxon's latest album "Metalhead" is excellent, magnificent guitar work and great vocals. However, despite 5 stars it is not as lyrically catchy as "Unleash the Beast", but the music content is excellent. This album is definately a Headbangers Heaven.
Submitted by trevisa (Ballarat, Vic, Australia)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No AWESOME !!!!!
Saxon - " Metalhead " in my opinion is
one of the top 5 Hard Rock / Metal
cds of all time !!!!!!!
SIMPLY INCREDIBLE , AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Larry (San Jose , CA USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No SAXON IS BACK
THIS IS BY FAR SAXON'S BEST ALBUM SINCE WHEELS OF STEEL. SAXON IS SHOWING HOW TRULY TALENTED THEY ARE.
OLD AND YOUNG FANS WILL LOVE THIS ONE.
Submitted by a reviewer (somerset, ky)
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