Saxon

AC/DC aren't the only dinosaurs keeping their metal legacy alive -- these leathery codgers get dark and threatening in "Slow Lane Blues" and "Protect Yourselves," while another blue-collar beer belch, "Live to Rock," boots open like Van Halen's " Panama." "Demon Sweeney Todd" is a Brits-in-blue-jeans speedball, and the album ends with a thickly grooving bottleneck boogie vamp. There are even a few brief semiclassic interludes to make up for the occasional slog. If not quite up there with Saxon's early '80s power-and-glory peaks, this is still worth an iron-horse ride down a dangerous highway.