November 6th, 2016 - The Saxon Vs. The Titan

Good afternoon!  The Meista here rockin' out today with Saxon's brilliant self-titled debut album and a Titan IPA from Great Divide Brewing Company!  Oh hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Saxon
• Title: "Saxon"
• Recorded: January through March 1979 at Livingston Recording Studios in Barnet, London, UK
• Release date: May 21st, 1979 (1st studio album by Saxon) (1969-04-16)
• Record company: Carrere
• Production: John Verity
• Album cover art: Grafix
• Personnel: Biff Byford (vocals), Steve Dawson (bass), Pete Gill (drums), Graham Oliver (guitar), and Paul Quinn (guitar)
• Musical style: New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), hard rock, heavy metal with elements of progressive rock
• Sound: Maybe a bit rough around the edges, Saxon's debut album was instrumental in defining the NWOBHM sound and was the catalyst for the might and power that would become the seminal Saxon sound.  I personally love this album.  It harkens back to an age of endless metal possibilities without overproduction.  It is pure heart!  And Biff's vocals and Quinn's guitar licks just cannot be beat!
• Major themes: Sword and sorcery, sexual teasing, motorcycles, self-preservation, rock and roll, power, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Rainbow Theme"
2. "Frozen Rainbow"
3. "Big Teaser"
4. "Judgement Day"
5. "Stallions Of The Highway"
6. "Backs To The Wall"
7. "Still Fit To Boogie"
8. "Militia Guard"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado)
• Website: http://greatdivide.com/
• Brew: Titan IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.1%
• Pour: It pours a clear, effervescent bronze-orange with a frothy and sudsy white, 2+ finger head with great retention and sticky, intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Titan is characterized by bold piney and citrusy hops and more subtle sweet malts and vegetal notes.  There are aromas of pine resin, lemon zest, summer grass, and more soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste is very earthy, bitter, citrusy, herbal, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of pine, black tea, grapefruit rind, lemon zest, astringent mineral, fresh herbs, crackery grains, bready malts, and hints of toffee. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Titan IPA is very crisp, rather bitter, and a little astringent with a very dry and sharp finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, biting notes of Great Divides wonderful Titan IPA is perfect (and I mean perfect!) for the raw, hard rockin' goodness and genius that is Saxon's debut album!!!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Hails!!  And rock on!!