10/20/2008 20:02

Saxon

Saxon: 'Into the Labyrinth'

English legendary heavy metallers Saxon's 18th full length studio work, entitled as 'Into the Labyrinth', was recorded at the Twilight Hall in Krefeld, Germany, under the direction of Charlie Bauerfeind.
Saxon recorded 13 new songs at Blind Guardian's studio, starting with their monumental opener, 'Battalions of Steel', through 'Demon Sweeney Todd' and 'Valley of the Kings', which both cover historic events, to the final slide guitar blues track, 'Coming Home' (fans are already familiar with the electric version of this track from Saxon's 'Killing Ground' album).
Saxon are currently still working on an additional 14th track, which will be available exclusively as a download on iTunes from the release date. “The new material was written in England and at my house in France,” Byford explains. “Stylistically, I would describe the album as an even balance between 'Lionheart' and 'The Inner Sanctum', a mix of powerful, in-your-face rock songs and pure heavy metal tracks. We’re very happy with the production and proud of 'Into the Labyrinth'.”

Release Dates (on Steamhammer / SPV):
Germany: January 9th
Europe: January 12th
USA / Canada: January 13th

Limited edition digipack tracklisting (only available in Europe):

01 Battalions of Steel - 06:34
02 Live to Rock - 05:30
03 Demon Sweeney Todd - 03:51
04 The Letter - 00:42
05 Valley of the Kings - 05:03
06 Slow Lane Blues - 04:08
07 Crime of Passion - 04:04
08 Premonition in D Minor - 00:40
09 Voice - 04:35
10 Protect Yourselves - 03:56
11 Hellcat - 03:54
12 Come Rock of Ages (The Circle Is Complete) - 03:52
13 Coming Home (Bottleneck Version) - 03:12

Bonus DVD (running time approx. 70 min):
- Parzival movie with Biff acting as King Arthur
- Tour Documentary
- "Live to Rock" video clip
- Audio Interview with Biff Byford

Jewel case CD version tracklisting:

01 Battalions of Steel - 06:34
02 Live to Rock - 05:30
03 Demon Sweeney Todd - 03:51
04 The Letter - 00:42
05 Valley of the Kings - 05:03
06 Slow Lane Blues - 04:08
07 Crime of Passion - 04:04
08 Premonition in D Minor - 00:40
09 Voice - 04:35
10 Protect Yourselves - 03:56
11 Hellcat - 03:54
12 Come Rock of Ages (The Circle Is Complete) - 03:52
13 Coming Home (Bottleneck Version) - 03:12

2LP gatefold racklisting:

Side 1
01 Battalions of Steel - 06:34
02 Live to Rock - 05:30
03 Demon Sweeney Todd - 03:51

Side 2
01 The Letter - 00:42
02 Valley of the Kings - 05:03
03 Slow Lane Blues - 04:08
07 Crime of Passion - 04:04

Side 3
01 Premonition in D Minor - 00:40
02 Voice - 04:35
03 Protect Yourselves - 03:56

Side 4
01 Hellcat - 03:54
02 Come Rock of Ages (The Circle Is Complete) - 03:52
03 Coming Home (Bottleneck Version) - 03:12

See Saxon live in 2008:

01.11. GB-Holmfirth - The Picturedome

With Motörhead and Danko Jones:
03.11. GB-Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
04.11. GB-Ipswich - Regent
06.11. GB-Brighton - Dome
07.11. GB-Newcastle - Academy
08.11. GB-Sheffield - Academy
10.11. GB-Glasgow - Academy
11.11. GB-Leicester - De Montfort Hall
12.11. GB-Southampton - Guildhall
14.11. GB-Manchester - Apollo
15.11. GB-Cardiff - University
17.11. GB-Cambridge - Corn Exchange
18.11. GB-Bristol - Colston Hall
19.11. GB-Exeter - University
21.11. GB-Norwich - UEA
22.11. GB-London - Hammersmith Apollo
28.11. D-Düsseldorf - Philipshalle
29.11. D-Lingen - Emslandhallen
30.11. D-Bremen - Pier 2
02.12. D-Offenbach - Stadthalle
03.12. D-Bamberg - Jako Arena
05.12. D- Dresden - Messehalle
06.12. D-Stuttgart - Schleyerhalle
07.12. D-Munich - Zenith

Single 'Live to Rock' is avaiable for downloading now.

(source: the official Saxon website)