Live report SAXON, GIRLSCHOOL & GRAND SLAM, Docks, Hamburg – February 17th, 2025

Saxon, one of the metal institutions from Great Britain, is a true legend in heavy metal. Formed in 1978, the band is still active and has been delivering blasting heavy metal for almost 50 years. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of their iconic “Wheels of Steel” album, the band is currently on tour in Europe/UK playing the album in its entirety. Joining Saxon on this tour is another legendary band from the UK – Girlschool. And with Grand Slam one more band with a nice sounding name is part of this tour package.

The doors of the Docks, Hamburg open at 19:00 and there is already a long queue in front of the venue when I arrive. It is a freezing cold winter night in Hamburg and everyone is happy to finally enter the venue. While I was at the box office to get my ticket, I could hear already some hard rock riffs from the inside, because there was a bit of a mixed message when it comes to the time schedule. The show was announced to start at 20:00, but since Grand Slam has been added to the tour line-up, their show is scheduled to start at 19:15. This means that the hall is rather empty when Grand Slam take the stage.

The scenario changes quickly as more and more fans enter the Docks and appreciate the hard rock sound provided by Grand Slam. The band with roots in the mid 80’s was originally formed by Phil Lynott (R.I.P.) and included guys like John Sykes, Brian Downy and Neil Murray in the line-up. Grand Slam never really got off the ground and it was Laurence Archer who started a reunion in 2023. Tonight Grand Slam play a six song set which starts with “Nineteen” and reminds of the great Phil Lynott. With “Spitfire” the band shows that they have some exciting new material in their portfolion too, while “Military Man” and the closer “Whiskey in the Jar” lead to a first sin along moment at the Docks. Grand Slam deliver a very solid set that was a great start to this night of heavy metal thunder.

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Another veteran band from the UK is next – Girlschool. Like Saxon, Girlschool started in 1978 and the original line up is represented by Kim McAuliffe. In addition to McAuliffe, Jackie Chambers and Olivia Airey, the newest member of Girlschool, are also on stage tonight. Lawrence Paterson, a veteran drummer, provides the heartbeat of tonight’s show, which kicks off with “Demolition Boys”. That Saxon fans are also Girlschool fans is obvious from the reaction of the crowd. The four-piece is warmly welcomed and has the fans on their side from the first song to the finale of the show – “Emergency”. Hits like “Hit and Run” are part of the show as well as “It Is What It Is” from the last studio album. What Girlschool deliver during their 45-minute set is down-to-earth hard rock, proving that rock’n’roll is a matter of heart and not age.

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This conclusion also applies to Saxon. The NWoBHM legends are impressive and that they play almost two hours is exceptional these days. We should not forget that the guys are in their 60s/70s, with the bassist Nibbs Carter being the youngest at 58. Enjoying the band live doesn’t reflect their age at all since Saxon deliver is thunderous heavy metal.

“Hell, Fire and Damnation” is the first song tonight and reflects the band’s latest effort. With “1066” and “Madame Guillotine” two additional songs from the latest studio album ignite the heavy metal spark at Docks. Also on the agenda tonight is the title track from the “Solid Balls of Rock” album, which was recorded in Hamburg with chanting fans show the power of this pounding metal anthem.

The centerpiece of the set is the “Wheels of Steel” album. Saxon announced to play the complete sophomore record and so it is the sound of a motorbike that introduces “Motorcycle Man”. For many fans in the room it is the beginning of a trip down memory lane, while we also see many young fans enjoying the solid classics. It is the greatness of a band like Saxon to have music in their portfolio that connects across generations.

“Wheels of Steel” contains great songs, while the highlights are the title track and the glorious “747 (Strangers in the Night)”. Not to be forgotten are the blazing “Machine Gun” and the roaring “Street Fighting Gang”. These songs are timeless metal anthems and there is more to come.

“Heavy Metal Thunder is not only a song in the encore phase. It could also be the highlight of the evening as it is a loud Heavy Metal Thunder that creates pure excitement in the room. Step by step we get closer to the end of the show but there are some more classics that the fans expect and Saxon deliver. There can’t be a show without “Crusader”, “Denim and Leather” and “Princess of the Night”.

These songs turn the Docks into a heavy metal madhouse and after the last note has faded away everyone is very satisfied and exhausted. Saxon belong to the pioneers of heavy metal and their music is a thrilling inspiration for many generations in rock & metal.

I have seen quite a few shows of this band and they always deliver. So tonight.
Saxon are icons and hopefully we can enjoy their metal power for many years to come.