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Saxon – Download Main Stage, June 13 2010

Saxon’s is a story of an amazing triumph in the face of commercial adversity. Within the space of three years the NWOBHM pioneers have gone from relative obscurity to Download’s main stage and it’s great to see them back.

Significantly Biff Byford and the boys follow up their Castle Donington comeback with an appearance at High Voltage next month. It’s the latest leg of a remarkable journey for the Barnsley boys and recognition that one of the UK’s most talented rock bands are still the perfect foil for any festival.

Saxon may owe their rejuvenation to a rather dodgy reality TV show but like their good mates Anvil they’re not about to let a second stab at stardom pass them by. Working harder and faster than ever – and with their entire back catalogue remixed and remastered – these are heady times for a true staple of the domestic metal scene and this sun-baked set showcased a band back at the very top of the game. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s election night here in the UK and so it’s high time we added a rock and metal flavour to what should be the most exciting race to 10 Downing Street for some time.

And what better way to get in the mood than looking at the bands which best reflect Britain’s political parties?

Now we’re not saying any of the artists listed below lean towards one party or another but it would be reassuringly ironic if they did. Read the rest of this entry »

Four weeks after axe slinger Roadsy hinted as much to rushonrock, Oz rockers Airbourne have been confirmed for Download 2010!

On a day when more than 20 new acts were announced – and organiser Andy Copping revealed he’d tapped up Led Zeppelin for a set – we’re delighted the AC/DC clones are joining their inspiration on another blast of a bill.

Also confirmed are Steel Panther, Saxon, HIM, Cinderella and Ratt! Read the rest of this entry »

After a slow start to 2010 we review no fewer than nine new releases this week and there’s something for everyone to bring January to a suitably raucous close.

Whether you want to check out vintage Saxon (pictured) in the shape of expanded editions of three of the band’s often overlooked 80s standards or US Saxon-alikes Keel we slate and rate ‘em right here.

There’s the brilliant Bruce Kulick and his start-studded BK3 album plus a thrilling hair metal throwback as Wig Wam return to take on allcomers.

Frontiers standard-bearers Murder Of My Sweet bid for your listening pelasure and Kerrang! tour headliners All Time Low show their softer side with an acoustic mini album. Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry »

Biff Byford is one of the NWOBHM’s great survivors and the charismatic Saxon frontman is sounding better than ever after completing two UK headline tours in one year!

A regular favourite on the rushonrock pages, the boy from Barnsley checked in to offer his thoughts on the seminal metal movement which burst out of the British Isles in the late 70s.

And he also welcomed back old buddies Anvil after touring alongside the Canadian comeback kids this month. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s another almighty week of music mayhem on the UK’s fastest-growing independent rock and metal website and kicking it all off we’ve got a couple of British legends. Motorhead play Newcastle’s City Hall tomorrow and Saxon frontman Biff Byford checks in for an exclusive chat with the rushonrock team!

It’s a busy seven days for live action with Rise Against, Thursday and Poison The Well playing Newcastle’s Academy on Wednesday before the double header that is Yes and Bring Me The Horizon on Friday. Elliott Minor play tracks off new album Solaris on Saturday and The Butterfly Effect head to the North East the following day.

Gavin from Funeral For A Friend is the latest victim of the rushonrock Rider and Joan Jett hits The Vinyl Countdown as we hit finally hit the top five. But there’s more! Read the rest of this entry »

They’re playing to thousands of rockers and metal heads at Birmingham’s NEC tomorrow night as part of a cracking Hellfire bill featuring the likes of Saxon and Anvil.

And North Eastern heroes The Casino Brawl have just announced a headline show at Newcastle’s Trillians after coming off the road with the Haunted.

It’s all happening for founder members Jonny Ferguson and Jamie Common and they took time out to tell rushonrock all about their meteoric rise. Read the rest of this entry »

Tomorrow sees the return of the ultimate hair metal babe as Lita Ford (left) unleashes her hotly anticipated comeback record Wicked Wonderland. We review and rate it right here.

So who’s the former Runaway up against this week?

Big hitters Bon Jovi and Slayer bring their latest tunes to the table so look out for a Rock Solid special later this week.

In the meantime we check out the old school metal of Saviours and some stripped down Sharon den Adel (if only) as Within Temptation go all acoustic.

Then there’s the full-on assault that is Fu Manchu as the stoner legends return with one of their most accomplished and accesible albums to date.

But does any of it come close to lovely Lita? Find out right here… Read the rest of this entry »

He’s a Barnsley boy boasting the true Yorkshire grit which took his band Saxon to the very summit of the NWOBHM movement.

And 30 years after the UK spawned metal for the masses, Biff Byford is still fronting one of the nation’s best-loved acts as Saxon go from strength to strength.

Out on tour with fellow metal monsters Anvil, it’s time we took a look behind the scenes with one of rock’s finest frontmen. Read the rest of this entry »

As prog rock maestros Yes (pictured) prepare to undertake their latest UK tour we bring you an exclusive interview with drummer Alan White.

There’s a look at two rocking compilations featuring a slew of potential hit singles as vampire flick New Moon and the intriguing Jennifer’s Body get the star studded soundtrack treatment.

And NWOBHM behemoth Biff Byford is the latest big name to go under the rushonrock Rider microscope as he reveals all on the eve of Saxon‘s latest headline tour. And there’s more. Read the rest of this entry »