Fans from all over the state traveled to attend the event in the capital
Here's a brief overview of the stars of the night: synonymous with heavy metal, just like their legendary compatriots Iron Maiden and Judas Priest , Saxon is from the same era, shares the same references, and often sounds equally grandiose. In commercial terms, they simply haven't had the same luck. And, even though they've been relegated strictly to prestige within the specialized media, Saxon has been bringing to the world, for more than four decades, a performance strictly focused on the classic elements of the genre.
On March 13, 2019, José do Patrocínio received vans from all parts of the state. These were Saxon fans arriving to see Biff Byford (vocals), Paul Quinn (guitar), Doug Scaratt (guitar), Nibbs Carter (bass), and Nigel Glocker (drums) for the first time in Rio Grande do Sul.
The band took to the stage at 9 pm sharp, opening the show with "Thunderbolt," the title track from the British band's excellent latest album. Within a minute of the song, the quintet had already shown what they were capable of, delivering a powerful performance and dazzling the captivated audience.
Amidst shouts from the audience, Byford delivered a heavily accented English speech, and it took a while for him and the crowd to actually understand each other.
The band delivered a collection of typically "motorcycle metal" riffs, including anthems like "Wheels of Steel," "Denim in Letter," and "Backs to the Wall." These sounds serve as examples to differentiate Saxon's classic sound, more rooted in blues-based rock 'n' roll, from the largely melodic speed metal the band plays today, as exemplified by "They Played Rock 'n' Roll," a song paying homage to Motörhead that was also in the setlist.
When the band put the microphone up for the audience to sing along, they received excellent feedback. While Saxon proved to be a band of great riffs and killer solos, Biff led the night with the majestic posture of a general on the front lines. “Frozen Rainbow,” with its intimate tones, brought a moment of respite for the audience, even with the demanding drumming on the click track, which received well-deserved applause at the end of the song.
At one point, Biff recited some classic band titles, such as "Motorcycle Man" and "Dogs of War." What seemed like a test for the die-hard fans turned out to be a moment for the fans to choose the next songs. The fans, however, responded with the same enthusiasm to all of them, and the band followed with "Ride Like the Wind," "Broken Heroes" (with an absurdly epic ending), and "Motorcycle Man" itself.
The seductive chorus of “Strangers in the Night” was one of the highlights of the night. An eighties classic that, on the record, sounds rather weak (heresy!) compared to the power it gains on stage. At times, when he wasn't signing LPs that floated through the audience until they reached the stage, Biff would take his cell phone out of his pocket to record the party with the legion of fanatics who filled (but didn't sell out) the physical space of Bar Opinião. The absolute classics “Power and the Glory” and “Crusader” also stole the show, as well as the exceptional “Lionheart,” with its chilling atmospheric introduction, certainly one of the great themes of Saxon's “modern” phase.
Closing the set, a lesson in classic heavy metal with the thunderous "Dallas 1PM," featuring a riff that captivated and entertained the audience, along with moving melodic sections while the classic megaphone sound recalled the death of John F. Kennedy. The band leaves the stage, but the audience demands an immediate return!
The band returned with two anthems up their sleeve, the explosive “Heavy Metal Thunder” and “Never Surrender.” Despite more than 40 years on the road, Saxon showed what makes them heavy metal monsters. The impeccable instrumental work, note upon note, captivates even the most disconnected listener, but it's the figure, the voice, and the charisma of the experienced Biff Byford, with his raspy, high-pitched timbre and authoritative delivery, that keeps the audience in the palm of their hand. After this gift, Saxon deserves all the rest in the world, although, luckily for the fans, they didn't leave the stage at Bar Opinião looking like they're going to stop anytime soon. They too play rock'n roll!
Text by: Rust Costa Machado
Photos: Daniela Cony
READ ALSO: Saxon in São Paulo; see photos and setlist
