Saxon - Dogs of War – 12” Vinyl Picture Disc
Saxon’s Dogs of War will
be re-released as a 12” vinyl picture disc on 15 July. Originally release in
1995 this was the last album to feature original guitarist Graham Oliver which
overshadowed it’s release and possibly lead to the album not getting the credit
I think it deserved.
The opening and title
track Dogs of War has one of my favourite Saxon rifts and it always seems to go
down a storm when it’s included in the live set list.
This album had a
number of songs with great rifts and Burning Wheels is no exception. A great song
that captures the excitement and speed of Drag Racing. It’s a slightly
different laid back pace for Don’t Worry, with the catchy chorus and guitar
chords planting a lasting memory in the listener’s brain. We are back with a true
rocker with Big Twin Rolling, another Motorcycle song and we know how well
Saxon do them. You almost feel your out on the machine with the wind in your
face as the song plays.
The first side ends
with Hold On. I have to say that when the original CD came out I wasn’t over
struck with this song, but I’ve had a change of heart with this re- issue. This
is the story of Jenny and Billy and has a bit of an American rock feel to it. The
lyrics tell us the tale of these two lovers and how they made a life together.
Side two opens up with
my favorite track on this album, The Great White Buffalo. This epic track is
based around the ghosts and legends of the American Indians as they seek the
return of their lands. A fantastic song which is followed by another great rock
track in the shape of Demolition Alley. The third track on side 2, Walking Through
Tokyo is the only low point on the albumin my opinion, I wasn’t a fan of it
back on the original 1995 release and it still doesn’t do much for me now. Normal service is soon resumed though with
Give it all Away before we up the tempo with the final track Yesterday’s Gone.
A fitting conclusion to a great album re-release.
You can catch Saxon
live at Holmfirth on Friday 26 July and at the Steel House Festival on Saturday
27 July. Saxon are also doing some dates with Motorhead in November.
NH
