9. Saxon - Wheels of Steel - 1980
Perhaps not as consistent as
Strong Arm of the Law or
Denim and Leather, this album is Saxon at their most ruff 'n' ready, and contains arguably their strongest separate songs of all time. "Motorcycle Man", "Stand Up and Be Counted", and "Wheels of Steel" (OMG that ****ing riff!) are melodic metal with the backbone of a dive bar rock band. Infectious yet never to be taken for AOR, this is a metal album any '80s biker worth his salt would have blasted while pounding back a six-pack or five. Not to be taken as dunderheads though, "747 (Strangers In the Night)" is a shock of unexpected class, and "Suzie Hold On" is a ballad that shows that Saxon had heart as well as balls.