Released 5 May 1980 Length 38:56 Artist Saxon Label Fame | Recorded February 1980 Producer Pete Hinton and Saxon Release date 5 May 1980 Genres Heavy metal, Hard rock | |
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Studio Ramport Studios, London, UK Wheels of Steel
(1980) Strong Arm of the Law
(1980) Similar Saxon albums, Heavy metal albums | ||
Saxon track 4 wheels of steel
Wheels of Steel is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Saxon. It was released in 1980 and reached Gold status in the UK.
Contents
Saxon motorcycle man
Reception
The album received very positive reviews by critics and is today regarded as being a classic metal album helping to define the genre. Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic lists the album as "topping the heap of essential Saxon albums, pretty much hand in hand with its immediate successors, Strong Arm of the Law and Denim and Leather,... effectively setting the template for the band's most successful efforts". Canadian reviewer Martin Popoff regards Wheels of Steel as a "qualified classic" and "one of really two or three of (NWOBHM) building blocks"; it is "a record on a mission, willing to take responsibility as spokesvinyl for legions of English punters with a thirst for regular metal guys". Sputnikmusic's Mike Stagno praises "the solid, consistent rhythms that produce the riffy, yet accessible tunes" and Biff Byford's "powerful singing", which make Wheels of Steel "perhaps not one of metal's best albums", but "still a very worthwhile album."
The album eventually went on to achieve Gold status in the UK.
Track listing
All tracks written by Biff Byford, Paul Quinn, Graham Oliver, Steve Dawson and Pete Gill.
Personnel
Songs
1Motorcycle Man3:54
2Stand Up and Be Counted3:05
3747 (Strangers in the Night)4:54