"Where were you in '79 when the dam began to burst?" was Biff Byford's question to all hard rockers during the beginning of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. I know I was still in junior high school and didn't even know who the hell Saxon was!

"Denim And Leather" was Saxon's fourth record. It was their first for Capitol records, released in 1981. The whole album is mid-tempo paced. Think of AC/DC meets Accept meets Judas Priest. It's full of rocking anthems. The title track, "Denim And Leather", is the theme song for Saxon. It's a tribute to the fans that supported them, preaching indirectly that they could be just like Saxon: (do you dream of playing guitar, smashing up the drums, maybe you can learn to play the bass, even be a singer like Biff and front the band). I love the little instrument fills that follow after these lyrics are sung. "Play It Loud' is a great song to play if you want to piss off the neighbors; when someone tells you to turn it down, "play it loud, in your neighborhood. Nice bass lines! "Midnight Rider" reflects on the experiences of touring. "Rough And Ready" portrays one's tale of street life and how it hardens them into becoming rough and ready. The dual guitar riffing of Oliver and Quinn, steady bass thumping of Dawson, quick, tight drumming of Gill and the clear strong vocals of Byford make the songs on this album memorable and many a fan favorite to this date.

1981 was a competitive year for British Heavy Metal. Other classics like Def Leppard's "High N Dry", Iron Maiden's "Killers", Judas Priest's "Point of Entry" and Motorhead's "No Sleep Til Hammersmith" were also released. If you like the aforementioned, then there is no reason why Saxon's "Denim And Leather" should not be in your collection!