SAXON denim and leather CAL128

The Uniform of Heavy Metal: Saxon’s ‘Denim And Leather’ (CAL 128)

Today’s entry celebrates a defining moment in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. We are looking at the 1981 UK pressing of Denim And Leather by Saxon, released on the Carrere label with the catalog number CAL 128.

Released on September 25, 1981, this album served as a rallying cry for the metal community. It is the fourth studio album from the Barnsley band and is often grouped with their previous two records (Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law) to form a classic trilogy that defined their sound. It was also the final album to feature original drummer Pete Gill before he departed.

The tracklist is a parade of heavy metal anthems that remain staples of the genre. The high-speed opener Princess Of The Night is dedicated to a steam train, while And The Bands Played On chronicles their appearance at the inaugural Monsters of Rock festival at Donington. The title track, Denim And Leather, became an enduring anthem symbolizing the lifestyle and bond between the band and their fans.

Recorded at Aquarius Studios in Geneva and the famous Polar Studios in Stockholm, the album boasts a punchy sound produced by Nigel Thomas. CAL 128 is a quintessential NWOBHM artifact. This specific WEA pressing captures the spirit of 1981 perfectly, originally coming with an official merchandise order form.