[img src=\'http://www.spv.de/gfx_saxon/chronicles_04.jpg\' border=\'0\' alt=\'user posted image\' /]
SAXON TO RELEASE CAREER-SPANNING TWO-DVD SET
'THE SAXON CHRONICLES' ON SPV RECORDS ON NOVEMBER 4, 2003
COMPLETE CONCERT, MUSIC VIDEOS, RARE TELEVISION AND
BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE ARE FEATURED
DELUXE PACKAGING INCLUDES PHOTO-PACKED BOOKLET
WITH INSIGHTFUL ESSAYS
Saxon, one of the pioneering bands of the famed "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s, is celebrating its long and fruitful history with the release of the career-spanning, two-DVD set 'The Saxon Chronicles' on SPV Records on November 4, 2003. The deluxe package contains more than 3 1/2 hours of footage and a lavish booklet.
One of the many highlights is Saxon's complete performance at the famous Wacken festival in Germany in 2001 with the long-standing lineup of vocalist Biff Byford, lead guitarist Paul Quinn, lead guitarist Doug Scarratt, bass guitarist Nibbs Carter and drummer Fritz Randow.
"We've been working on putting this DVD together for two years, ever since Wacken in 2001. It's been a monumental task. This project covers the entire history of the band. It took me a long time to find all the footage because of all the stuff I have in storage in garages and basements and what have you," Byford says. "This whole set is quite a big package with the 52-page booklet included, which is loaded with photos, reproductions of original lyrics, letters from management and lots more."
DVD One includes the Wacken show, which featured the Saxon classics "Motorcycle Man," "Dogs of War," "Heavy Metal Thunder," "Cut Out the Disease," "Solid Ball of Rock," "Metalhead," "The Eagle Has Landed," "Conquistador (Drum Solo)," "Crusader," "Power & The Glory," "Princess of the Night," "Wheels of Steel (Guitar Solo)," "Strong Arm of the Law," "20,000 Ft." and "Denim & Leather." The concert is presented in widescreen format and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Other features on DVD One are an extensive interview with Byford and a discography.
DVD Two includes behind-the-scenes home video footage, featuring the songs "747," "Princess of the Night" and "Wheels of Steel" shot at the Esbjerg Festival in 1995; eight music videos ("Suzie Hold On," "Power & The Glory," "Nightmare," "Back on the Streets Again," "Rockin' Again," "(Requiem) We Will Remember," "Unleash the Beast" and outtakes from its filming, and "Killing Ground"); rare television interviews and performances including the BBC's 'Top of the Pops'; photo gallery; press clippings gallery; and Internet web links.
"It took awhile to get BBC approval on using those clips. Some of the music videos are out of copyright. Most of the music videos we made are included," says Byford.
Byford believes 'The Saxon Chronicles' is surfacing at just the right time, since the band's popularity is cresting again worldwide. He thinks that original fans are rediscovering and re-embracing Saxon and that younger fans fed up with the darker, less musical heavy-rock bands are looking to classic metal bands with more of a focus on melodies and songs.
Saxon has a large cult following in the United States and enjoyed widespread success in Europe, Japan and Latin countries. The band was formed in England in 1976 and was originally called Son of a Bitch. After a few years, the name changed to Saxon and the self-titled debut album was issued in 1979. Relentless touring built a loyal fan base and subsequent albums like 'Wheels of Steel,' 'Strong Arm of the Law' and 'Denim and Leather' earned acclaim within the metal world. The live album 'The Eagle Has Landed' further cemented Saxon's reputation as one of the finest metal bands of the era. Early- to mid-1980s albums 'Power & The Glory,' 'Crusader' and 'Innocence is No Excuse' streamlined Saxon's sound and this was the time that metal was mainstream.
"Bands like Van Halen, Motley Crue and other heavy bands at the time became pop stars because of MTV and other television exposure," Byford says.
Ultimately, Saxon returned to its original, classic sound and new albums included 'Destiny,' 'Solid Ball of Rock,' 'Forever Free,' 'Dogs of War,' 'Unleash the Beast,' 'Metalhead' and 'Killing Ground' and the live albums 'Rock and Roll Gypsies' and 'The Eagle Has Landed Pt. II.' The 2002 album 'Heavy Metal Thunder' consisted of re-recordings of classic Saxon songs, and a bonus disc included live tracks and a video track.
'The Saxon Chronicles' was a mammoth undertaking that provides a comprehensive look back at the band's amazing career. It's a special treat for Saxon's legions of fans.
SAXON TO RELEASE CAREER-SPANNING TWO-DVD SET
'THE SAXON CHRONICLES' ON SPV RECORDS ON NOVEMBER 4, 2003
COMPLETE CONCERT, MUSIC VIDEOS, RARE TELEVISION AND
BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE ARE FEATURED
DELUXE PACKAGING INCLUDES PHOTO-PACKED BOOKLET
WITH INSIGHTFUL ESSAYS
Saxon, one of the pioneering bands of the famed "New Wave of British Heavy Metal" movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s, is celebrating its long and fruitful history with the release of the career-spanning, two-DVD set 'The Saxon Chronicles' on SPV Records on November 4, 2003. The deluxe package contains more than 3 1/2 hours of footage and a lavish booklet.
One of the many highlights is Saxon's complete performance at the famous Wacken festival in Germany in 2001 with the long-standing lineup of vocalist Biff Byford, lead guitarist Paul Quinn, lead guitarist Doug Scarratt, bass guitarist Nibbs Carter and drummer Fritz Randow.
"We've been working on putting this DVD together for two years, ever since Wacken in 2001. It's been a monumental task. This project covers the entire history of the band. It took me a long time to find all the footage because of all the stuff I have in storage in garages and basements and what have you," Byford says. "This whole set is quite a big package with the 52-page booklet included, which is loaded with photos, reproductions of original lyrics, letters from management and lots more."
DVD One includes the Wacken show, which featured the Saxon classics "Motorcycle Man," "Dogs of War," "Heavy Metal Thunder," "Cut Out the Disease," "Solid Ball of Rock," "Metalhead," "The Eagle Has Landed," "Conquistador (Drum Solo)," "Crusader," "Power & The Glory," "Princess of the Night," "Wheels of Steel (Guitar Solo)," "Strong Arm of the Law," "20,000 Ft." and "Denim & Leather." The concert is presented in widescreen format and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Other features on DVD One are an extensive interview with Byford and a discography.
DVD Two includes behind-the-scenes home video footage, featuring the songs "747," "Princess of the Night" and "Wheels of Steel" shot at the Esbjerg Festival in 1995; eight music videos ("Suzie Hold On," "Power & The Glory," "Nightmare," "Back on the Streets Again," "Rockin' Again," "(Requiem) We Will Remember," "Unleash the Beast" and outtakes from its filming, and "Killing Ground"); rare television interviews and performances including the BBC's 'Top of the Pops'; photo gallery; press clippings gallery; and Internet web links.
"It took awhile to get BBC approval on using those clips. Some of the music videos are out of copyright. Most of the music videos we made are included," says Byford.
Byford believes 'The Saxon Chronicles' is surfacing at just the right time, since the band's popularity is cresting again worldwide. He thinks that original fans are rediscovering and re-embracing Saxon and that younger fans fed up with the darker, less musical heavy-rock bands are looking to classic metal bands with more of a focus on melodies and songs.
Saxon has a large cult following in the United States and enjoyed widespread success in Europe, Japan and Latin countries. The band was formed in England in 1976 and was originally called Son of a Bitch. After a few years, the name changed to Saxon and the self-titled debut album was issued in 1979. Relentless touring built a loyal fan base and subsequent albums like 'Wheels of Steel,' 'Strong Arm of the Law' and 'Denim and Leather' earned acclaim within the metal world. The live album 'The Eagle Has Landed' further cemented Saxon's reputation as one of the finest metal bands of the era. Early- to mid-1980s albums 'Power & The Glory,' 'Crusader' and 'Innocence is No Excuse' streamlined Saxon's sound and this was the time that metal was mainstream.
"Bands like Van Halen, Motley Crue and other heavy bands at the time became pop stars because of MTV and other television exposure," Byford says.
Ultimately, Saxon returned to its original, classic sound and new albums included 'Destiny,' 'Solid Ball of Rock,' 'Forever Free,' 'Dogs of War,' 'Unleash the Beast,' 'Metalhead' and 'Killing Ground' and the live albums 'Rock and Roll Gypsies' and 'The Eagle Has Landed Pt. II.' The 2002 album 'Heavy Metal Thunder' consisted of re-recordings of classic Saxon songs, and a bonus disc included live tracks and a video track.
'The Saxon Chronicles' was a mammoth undertaking that provides a comprehensive look back at the band's amazing career. It's a special treat for Saxon's legions of fans.