s requested, here’s the remastered reissue of Saxon’s 1986 album Rock The Nations, now expanded with eight excellent bonus tracks, including fiery cuts from Live at Reading 1986. Yes, the band added some polish for the mid‑’80s radio climate — but no, they didn’t lose their edge. This album still rocks hard.
After the slicker Innocence Is No Excuse, Rock The Nations brings Saxon back to a grittier, heavier sound while keeping just enough melodic sheen for the era. The title track opens with bold, muscular riffing, and “Battle Cry” follows as one of the band’s most powerful metal anthems of the decade. “Waiting for the Night” leans more commercial, but for AOR‑minded listeners it’s a standout.
Recorded at Wisseloord Studios with producer Gary Lyons, the album captures Saxon at their most exuberant since Denim and Leather. The sessions were famously wild — late‑night antics, racing BMWs, and plenty of rock ’n’ roll chaos — all of which fed into the album’s raw energy.
One of the release’s most surprising elements is the guest appearance by Elton John, who plays boogie‑woogie piano on “Party Till You Puke.” His involvement came through Lyons, and although Elton was in and out of the studio quickly, his contribution adds a fun twist to the record’s personality.
Despite the rising dominance of glam metal from the U.S., Saxon stayed true to their British grit. Tracks like “We Came Here to Rock” and “Running Hot” show the band’s confidence, while the melodic strength of the material proved they could still deliver big choruses and memorable hooks. The album didn’t necessarily win new fans, but it remained a solid favorite among the faithful.
While Rock The Nations may not sit alongside Wheels of Steel or Strong Arm of the Law in the band’s top tier, it’s a consistently strong record with no weak tracks, a punchy production, and passionate performances from Biff Byford, Paul Quinn, Graham Oliver, and Nigel Glockler. The remaster — with its added live cuts — makes revisiting this era even more rewarding.