Here we have the previously fan-club only release of Saxon ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’, telling the Saxon tale from the very start (when they were known as SOB), right up to the well-oiled touring machine that we know today. Almost all previous members are given a chance to tell their side of the story, which displays just how no-nonsense Saxon have been about the line-up over the decades.

There have been firings, backstabbing and plenty of rocking the nations over the years. The story is the typical rags to riches tale. The inevitable falls in between being the main points of focus for the ex-members, while current members including main man Biff, show just how hard it is to keep a band like Saxon alive over the many trends and fashions that Saxon have survived. Some of them closer than others, the movie doesn’t gloss over the darker years and lesser material the band have put out.

The best element of the film by far is how Saxon are unveiled as probably some of the most un-stereotypical rock stars. The Yorkshire tea drinking rock band were much more likely to be found with a kettle in the dressing room than a mound of class A drugs. Lemmy looks bemused as he describes the band that he took on tour as support and Saxon in turn tell how painful it was to have to do drink and drugs on the Motorhead tour bus at ten in the morning.

It has to be said, if you’re wanting a (Motley Crue) ‘The Dirt’ style tale, you won’t find it here. The Saxon story is far more Fred Dibnah than Pamela Anderson. It will interest fans of the band for sure and casual fans of classic heavy metal will find plenty in it for them e.g. the Spinal Tap connections. Add to that the second disc where you get a full St Georges Day show and you’ve got quite a package!

9/10

Rob W