Product Description
To commemorate the 45th anniversary of their debut and the first Japanese performance in 14 years by Saxon, the British HR/HM band and a leading force in the NWOBHM, three previously unreleased titles in Japan are being released as a double album! This is their 21st album, released in 2015! Following their previous album "Sacrifice," Andy Sneap handled the mixing, mastering, and production for this album as well! This is a masterpiece where you can fully enjoy the ultra-aggressive heavy metal sound that has been perfected up to the present day! Disc 2 contains 18 rare tracks from their performance at the 2011 "Sweden Rock" festival! "Battering Ram" is Saxon's 21st album and their first in two years since their previous album "Sacrifice." Production of this album began in January 2015 and it was released in October of the same year. This album marks Andy Sneap's first solo production for Saxon, and like its predecessor, it's a heavy and powerful album in the style of European power metal. It's an important work where the collaboration with Andy Sneap works perfectly! The band, celebrating its 40th anniversary, and Biff Byford's vocals, the band's symbol, show no signs of decline, and are even more powerful than before. The title track, "Battering Ram," which is the opening track that symbolizes the album, is an anthem featuring the passionate twin guitars of Paul Quinn and Doug Scarlatt. Furthermore, it includes many other great songs that are sure to get the crowd going, such as "Stand Your Ground" and "Top Of The World." Biff's son, Seb Byford (born in 1997), participates on backing vocals on this album. He himself has been active in bands such as NAKID SIX and SUN KING, and he formed a metal unit called HEAVY WATER with his father, Biff, and they have released two albums, "Red Brick City" (2021) and "Dreams Of Yesterday" (2023). Seb has continued to participate in SAXON albums as a backing vocalist and has also supported Biff during his vocal recordings, which has been a great source of enjoyment for Biff. The bonus disc of this album is "SAXON Over Sweden 2011," a full live performance (18 songs!) from the Swedish Rock Festival, which was previously only included in the box set released in Germany! Liner notes: Lyrics and translations included Commentary: Yuji Okumura *Bonus disc included! Disc 1: 50.24 1. Battering Ram 4:56 2. The Devil?fs Footprint 4:08 3. Queen Of Hearts 5:08 4. Destroyer 3:21 5. Hard And Fast 4:45 6. Eye Of The Storm 3:54 7. Stand Your Ground 4:15 8. Top Of The World 4:00 9. To The End 5:50 10. Kingdom Of The Cross 6:08 11. Three Sheets To The Wind (The Drinking) Song) Three Sheets to the Wind (The Drinking Song) 3:53 * Disc 2: 76.59 "SAXON Over Sweden 2011" 1. Hammer Of The Gods 5:02 2. Heavy Metal Thunder 3:19 3. Motorcycle Man 3:40 4. Back In ?f79 3:05 5. Never Surrender 3:25 6. Fire In The Sky 1:44 7. Midnight Rider 2:16 8. And The Bands Played On 3:18 9. The Eagle Has Landed 7:43 10. Play It Loud 3:21 11. Rough And Ready 2:13 12. Out Of Control 2:33 13. Denim And Leather 5:07 14. Princess Of The Night 5:08 15. 747 (Strangers In The Night) 5:30 16. Crusader 5:29 17. Strong Arm Of The Law 4:11 18. Wheels Of Steel 9:45 Lineup Biff Byford ? lead vocals Paul Quinn ? guitar Doug Scarratt ? guitar Nibbs Carter ? bass guitar Nigel Glockler ? drums Producer ? Andy Sneap Executive-Producer ? Biff Byford Cover, Artwork By ? Paul Raymond Gregory Backing Vocals ? Seb Byford (tracks: 3, 7)
