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SAXON
***NEW 'LIONHEART' STUDIO ALBUM RELEASED 20/9/04 ON SPV + OCTOBER TOUR DATES*** Saxon are set to release their first studio album for three years, 'Lionheart', on CD and limited edition 'digipak' - including an exclusive patch - on SPV on September 20th, prior to four major UK concerts in October. "Lionheart is the most powerful album we've ever recorded" states singer Biff Byford about this excellent British Hard Rock album on which the band display an energy that's almost physically perceptible. There are several reasons for this metallic surge of adrenalin. For one thing, Saxon recorded in England again for the first time in almost 15 years. The band took a mere 50 days to record the eleven new Lionheart tracks at their own Gems 24 studio. "Things happened really fast," comments an incredulous Biff. "We went into the studio well prepared, having invested great care in our compositions, so we took relatively little time at the studio." Another important energy source is Saxon's new drummer, Joerg Michael. His predecessor, Fritz Randow, left the group at his own request (Biff: "He has a family, his own band, Victory, and didn't want to tour as much. We accept his decision completely"), so Saxon enlisted power house drummer Joerg Michael (ex-Stratovarius) to replace him. Co-produced by Biff Byford and Charlie Bauerfeind (Motörhead, Rob Halford, Helloween and Blind Guardian) Saxon have managed to embrace a newer, fresher sound while staying true to their roots. Biff explains "The sound on Lionheart is a hybrid of analogue and digital recording. The drums, for example, were cut entirely on an analogue 24-track machine, vocals and guitars were recorded digitally and then gone over, analogue style. The album simply sounds fantastic. We wanted crystal clear fidelity and that's what Charlie's given us'. The very British songs that sparkle on this album are power fodder in typical Saxon manner. The fast, dynamic opener 'Witchfinder General', a true story about a 17th century witch hunter, sets the pace of the record. The title track is about Richard The Lionheart, the English king who reigned at the end of the 12th century. 'Man and Machine' and 'English Man'O'War' are also typical Saxon numbers, while 'Beyond The Grave' sounds a little unusual stylistically, combining interesting e-bow and tremolo guitar effects. "As far as I'm concerned, 'Beyond The Grave' is practically an updated version of tracks like '747/Strangers in the Night," says Biff. "Different in a way, and at the same time typical of Saxon." Saxon promote Lionheart, the latest release by a band with the heart of a lion, at the following UK shows:-
2004
marks the 25th anniversary of the bands recording debut and besides
a full European tour plans are afoot to mark the occasion with a follow-up
to last years 'The Saxon Chronicles' DVD. Lion
in wait - Roland Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020
8769 6713 |
|
SAXON
Biography Formed in the north of England in the late 70s, Saxon were at the forefront of what became known as NWOBHM - the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Many young metal bands were emerging who challenged the supremacy of the old guard of heavy metal bands, and Saxon were at the forefront, along with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motörhead, Diamond Head and Def Leppard. NWOBHM bands all had a characteristic band logo and while Iron Maiden had Eddie, Saxon came complete with a huge Eagle, which the road crew fondly referred to as 'Biff's Budgie', and recently restored for live use. Saxon were originally known as Son Of A Bitch and spent their early days paying dues in clubs and small venues up and down the UK, building a strong live reputation. After changing their name to Saxon, they released their debut, self-titled album, a solid, if basic heavy rock outing, which merely hinted at the uncut diamond of a sound that the band would later polish, in 1979. With the release of their second album 'Wheels Of Steel' in 1980, Saxon's popularity soared, earning the band two UK Top 20 hit singles with 'Wheels Of Steel' and '747 (Strangers In The Night)'. Saxon capitalized on this success with the release in the same year of 'Strong Arm Of The Law', another very heavy, surprisingly articulate, metal album. A further Top 20 hit arrived with 'And The Bands Played On', drawn from 1981's double platinum 'Denim And Leather' album, which also produced 'Never Surrender'. Saxon toured the USA to great acclaim and appeared at the 1981 Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival. 1982's 'The Eagle Has Landed' live album reached the UK Top 5 and was described as "One of the best live releases of the decade" by the Melody Maker. 'Power And Glory' (1983) caused a major stir in the US market; "People tend to think that 'Crusader' was our big breakthrough, yet it was actually 'Power And The Glory' that enjoyed the most success in America," muses Byford. 'Crusader' (1984), flirted with a more US radio oriented sound and caused some critics to slam Saxon's orientation to the mainstream. The follow up, 'Innocence Is No Excuse' (which Biff once dubbed "Our Def Leppard album"), was similarly a deeply melodic offering, but in those days Thrash, an altogether tougher variety of metal, was becoming ever more popular. In the mid-eighties Saxon went through a reorientation phase, and their albums 'Rock The Nation'(1986) and 'Destiny' (1988) met with somewhat mixed reviews. "Our record company and management tried to gear us even more to the US market," remembers Biff of the Saxon sound in those days, "but what's the point in trying to sell Coca-Cola to the Americans?" The days of the group seemed numbered with the end of their recording contract and for the next two years things were quiet in the Saxon camp, until they emerged in 1991 with a new deal with SPV and the release of 'Solid Ball Of Rock'. A massive European tour proved Saxon able to rely on an astonishingly faithful following, particularly in Germany, where they have sold hundreds of thousands of albums recently. The next two releases, 'Forever Free' (1993) and 'Dogs Of War' (1994) were extremely well received on the continent, subsequent tours keeping the band constantly on the road. Saxon's reputation as an excellent live act was further augmented by the release of their 1996 live cut 'The Eagle Has Landed II' and interest in the group began to pick up again in Britain. The release of 1997's studio album 'Unleash The Beast', marked something of a return to favour in the UK for the band; "Saxon still clout out a heavyweight monster to make a mockery of all those around them" wrote Loaded in November '97, while even Q conceded that "Like a favourite old family dog, Saxon remain daft but dependable" in the same month. Then in February 1998 the band sold out their gigs at the LA2 in London and the Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall and the live reviews were ecstatic: "Terminally Enjoyable. 4/5" wrote Steve Beebee in Kerrang! on February 28th 1998. Metal Hammer's Essi Berellian awarded 9/10 in their May '98 issue, stating that Saxon "still sound simply awesome after all these years. This would have been termed a stunning comeback if, indeed, they'd ever gone away. Check 'em out, and see how it ought to be done." 1999's studio album, 'Metalhead', was hailed by Metal Hammer as "Arguably the best album in years from Biff and the boys. Slicker, meaner and harder, this 11 tracker sees Saxon rejuvenated. Kerrang! Agreed, stating that "Basically, it's got big balls. And that's just great." Saxon also garnered much critical acclaim for their most recent, (2001), studio album 'Killing Ground'. "You've got to hand it to Saxon, when it comes to ballsy metal they are kings. Yes, they've had the odd hiccup here and there but they've stuck to their guns and continue to create tasty albums with genuine air-guitar appeal. Biff Byford still sings like he's got his left nut trapped in his leather strides and guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn whip up a veritable storm - both 'Dragon's Lair' and 'Running For The Border' are especially feisty. 'Rock Is Our Life!' shrieks Biff during the chorus of the rousing closer of the same title - you better bleedin' believe it mate!" KKKK - Essi Berelian, reviewing 'Killing Ground' in Kerrang! September 29th 2001. In January 2003 Saxon headlined a packed out London Astoria with 'Biff's Budgie' back in full resplendent form. 'The Eagle' will again return to the stage with the band when they play Derby Bloodstock Festival on August 29th and Cardiff MS1 on August 30th. Biff notes
that "Our reputation in England has improved again over the last
few years, probably because people have begun to realise that we have
remained faithful to ourselves." He's not wrong. Saxondrugsnrocknroll
- Roland
Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020 8769 6713 |
|
SAXON
***Double 'The Saxon Chronicles' DVD released September 1st on SPV, August live dates*** UK heavy metal stalwarts Saxon return to the fray with a brand new double DVD, (their first) 'The Saxon Chronicles' on SPV on September 1st. 'The Saxon Chronicles' DVD 1 features a full length concert performance recorded at Wacken Open Air Festival in 2001, and a 13 minute interview with Biff Byford. 'The Saxon Chronicles' DVD 2 features 36 minutes of tour home video footage shot by the band themselves, along with 3 songs from the Esbjerg Festival in 1995, 8 promo video clips, various TV interviews from the past, plus a photo and press clippings gallery. Saxon garnered much critical acclaim for their most recent, (2001), studio album 'Killing Ground'. "You've got to hand it to Saxon, when it comes to ballsy metal they are kings. Yes, they've had the odd hiccup here and there but they've stuck to their guns and continue to create tasty albums with genuine air-guitar appeal. Biff Byford still sings like he's got his left nut trapped in his leather strides and guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn whip up a veritable storm - both 'Dragon's Lair' and 'Running For The Border' are especially feisty. 'Rock Is Our Life!' shrieks Biff during the chorus of the rousing closer of the same title - you better bleedin' believe it mate!" KKKK - Essi Berelian, reviewing 'Killing Ground' in Kerrang! September 29th 2001. Saxon, featuring original vocalist Biff Byford, fellow remaining original member guitarist Paul Quinn, second guitarist Doug Scaratt, and the rhythm section of Nibbs Carter (bass) and drummer Fritz Randow (ex-Victory and Sinner) have also confirmed two live appearances in August at:- 29th August
- Derby Bloodstock Festival "You could say without exaggerating that the current Saxon line-up is the best we've ever had", avers frontman Biff Byford, continuing that, "The good thing about Paul and Doug is the fact that they seem to get better with every year. They have always been fantastic guitarists, yet they've never rested on their laurels but continue to develop constantly." Proof of that is amply demonstrated on 'The Saxon Chronicles', an extremely good value for money DVD that is a must-buy item for all lovers of balls-to-the-wall classic hard rock and heavy metal! download
the DVD artwork here Telling
Tales - Roland Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020
8769 6713 |
|
SAXON
NEW 'HEAVY METAL THUNDER' DOUBLE CD OUT 21ST OCTOBER, LONDON ASTORIA GIG WITH FULL 'EAGLE' PRODUCTION JANUARY 26TH 2003. UK heavy metal stalwarts Saxon return to the fray with a brand new double CD (for the price of one) - 'Heavy Metal Thunder', on SPV through Koch on October 21st. 'Heavy Metal Thunder' features thirteen re-recorded Saxon classics, from their eponymous debut through to 'Crusader', on CD1, and an 'Official Live Bootleg' of 5 live tracks recorded in San Antonio, Texas, in 2002, plus a live video of the track 'Killing Ground', recorded at the Wacken festival in 2001, on CD2. Front man Biff Byford notes that "We've frequently been asked by fans, and now we've fulfilled their wish. We've mostly stayed with the original arrangements; only a few solos have changed slightly, and the songs have been re-recorded with state-of-the-art studio technology." Saxon garnered much critical acclaim for their most recent, (2001), studio album 'Killing Ground'. "You've got to hand it to Saxon, when it comes to ballsy metal they are kings. Yes, they've had the odd hiccup here and there but they've stuck to their guns and continue to create tasty albums with genuine air-guitar appeal. Biff Byford still sings like he's got his left nut trapped in his leather strides and guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn whip up a veritable storm - both 'Dragon's Lair' and 'Running For The Border' are especially feisty. The only oddment here is a strikingly unusual cover of King Crimson's classic 'Court Of The Crimson King', which works precisely because it's so unexpected. 'Rock Is Our Life!' shrieks Biff during the chorus of the rousing closer of the same title - you better bleedin' believe it mate!" KKKK - Essi Berelian, reviewing 'Killing Ground' in Kerrang! September 29th 2001. Saxon, featuring original vocalist Biff Byford, fellow remaining original member guitarist Paul Quinn, second guitarist Doug Scaratt, and the rhythm section of Nibbs Carter (bass) and drummer Fritz Randow (ex-Victory and Sinner) have also confirmed a short European tour, featuring the legendary Saxon 'Eagle' light show and production, culminating at the London Astoria Theatre on 26th January 2003. "You could say without exaggerating that the current Saxon line-up is the best we've ever had" avers frontman Biff Byford, continuing that, "The good thing about Paul and Doug is the fact that they seem to get better with every year. They have always been fantastic guitarists, yet they've never rested on their laurels but continue to develop constantly." Heavy
Metal Biker - Roland Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020 8769 6713 |
|
SAXON
UK TOUR IN JUNE FOLLOWS WELL RECEIVED 'KILLING GROUND' STUDIO ALBUM, RELEASED LAST SEPTEMBER "You've got to hand it to Saxon, when it comes to ballsy metal they are kings. Yes, they've had the odd hiccup here and there but they've stuck to their guns and continue to create tasty albums with genuine air-guitar appeal. Biff Byford still sings like he's got his left nut trapped in his leather strides and guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn whip up a veritable storm - both 'Dragon's Lair' and 'Running For The Border' are especially feisty. The only oddment here is a strikingly unusual cover of King Crimson's classic 'Court Of The Crimson King', which works precisely because it's so unexpected. 'Rock Is Our Life!' shrieks Biff during the chorus of the rousing closer of the same title - you better bleedin' believe it mate!" KKKK - Essi Berelian, reviewing 'Killing Ground' in Kerrang! September 29th 2001. UK heavy metal stalwarts Saxon, whose brilliant new studio album, 'Killing Ground', was released to much critical acclaim late last year, have confirmed a five date UK tour in June. Dates are:-
Saxon's current line-up features original vocalist Biff Byford, fellow remaining original member guitarist Paul Quinn, second guitarist Doug Scaratt, and the rhythm section of Nibbs Carter (bass) and drummer Fritz Randow (ex-Victory and Sinner). "You could say without exaggerating that the current Saxon line-up is the best we've ever had" avers frontman Biff Byford, continuing that, "The good thing about Paul and Doug is the fact that they seem to get better with every year. They have always been fantastic guitarists, yet they've never rested on their laurels but continue to develop constantly." Backed up by the incredibly tight rhythm section of Nibbs and Fritz, Saxon, who sold out their last, May 2000 UK tour, are awesome to behold live.
Killer
- Roland Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020 8769 6713 |
|
NEW 'KILLING GROUND' STUDIO ALBUM (WITH LTD EDITION BONUS CD) OUT 24.9.01, UK TOUR OCT. UK heavy metal stalwarts Saxon return to the fray with their brilliant new studio album - 'Killing Ground', featuring ten new original classic hard rock compositions and one cover version ('Court Of The Crimson King'), plus a limited edition bonus CD featuring eight rerecorded Saxon classics from over the years, on SPV through Koch on September 24th. Saxon garnered much critical acclaim for their most recent, (1999), studio album 'Metalhead'. "Arguably the best album in years from Biff and the boys. Slicker, meaner and harder, this 11 tracker sees Saxon rejuvenated" said Metal Hammer; while Kerrang! stated that "Basically, it's got big balls. And that's just great." Saxon, featuring original vocalist Biff Byford, fellow remaining original member guitarist Paul Quinn, second guitarist Doug Scaratt, and the rhythm section of Nibbs Carter (bass) and drummer Fritz Randow (ex-Victory and Sinner) have confirmed a UK tour in October. "You could say without exaggerating that the current Saxon line-up is the best we've ever had" avers frontman Biff Byford, continuing that, "The good thing about Paul and Doug is the fact that they seem to get better with every year. They have always been fantastic guitarists, yet they've never rested on their laurels but continue to develop constantly." Backed up by the incredibly tight rhythm section of Nibbs and Fritz, Saxon, who sold out their last, May 2000 UK tour, are awesome to behold live. Catch them at:-
'Killing Ground' was recorded at the Karo Studios in Brackel near Hamburg, produced by Nikolo Kotzev (Baltimore, Brazen Abbot, Nostradamus), and mixed by Herman Frank of Moon Doc. Byford explains why Saxon decided to record in Brackel again; "We like it at the Karo Studios, the chemistry is just right. The basic feel that you get at a studio is important." The first, limited edition of 'Killing Ground' will be out as a double album, with a special bonus CD containing eight re-recorded classic Saxon cuts from their eponymous debut through to 'Crusader'. While in the studio the band re-recorded thirteen of these classics, which will be released at a later date as a separate album titled 'Heavy Metal Thunder'. Byford explains; "We've frequently been asked by fans, and now we've fulfilled their wish. We've mostly stayed with the original arrangements; only a few solos have changed slightly, and the songs have been re-recorded with state-of-the-art studio technology."
Killer - Roland Hyams-020 8677 8466 or 020 8769 6713 |