British heavy metal legends, Saxon, produce a series of alternative takes on classic favorites to herald a worthy new entry to the Saxonian Institute of Metal on their new album, “Unplugged and Strung Up.” It’s set for release on November 19, 2013.
Unplugged and Strung Up reveals layers and pieces previously dormant in many of the 14 classic Saxon songs chosen for this makeover, thanks to some ear-catching new arrangements and mixes. Recorded, mixed and mastered with Andy Sneap in Derbyshire, UK earlier this year, Biff and co. re-evaluated, re-worked and re-energized the towering likes of “The Eagle Has Landed” and “Crusader” by introducing orchestral dynamics to offer added dimension. “Frozen Rainbow,” from the band’s 1979 debut, gets a stunning acoustic reprisal which transports it into a power ballad to be proud of, while “Red Star Falling” soars and sweeps the emotions with its orchestrally-arranged dovetail.
As if this reinvention wasn’t enough, Saxon superfans and collectors can purchase a digipack version of the release which will include 2002’s storming set of full-volume, pedal-to-the-metal re-recorded hits “Heavy Metal Thunder.” Featuring staple Saxon stormers such as “Motorcycle Man”, “Strong Arm of the Law” and “Dallas 1pm”, it is a quintessential part of any collection.
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The full-track listing for “Unplugged and Strung Up” is as follows:
01 Stallions Of The Highway (Remix)
02 Crusader (Orchestrated Version)
03 Battle Cry
04 The Eagle Has Landed (Orchestrated Version)
05 Red Star Falling (Orchestrated Version)
06 Broken Heroes (Orchestrated Version)
07 Call To Arms (Orchestrated Version)
08 Militia Guard
09 Forever Free (Re-recorded Version)
10 Just Let Me Rock (Re-recorded Version)
11 Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic Version)
12 Iron Wheels (Live Acoustic Version)
13 Requiem (Acoustic Version)
14 Coming Home (Acoustic Version)
The full track-listing for “Heavy Metal Thunder” is as follows:
01 Heavy Metal Thunder
02 Strong Arm Of The Law
03 Power & The Glory
04 And The Bands Played On
05 Crusader
06 Dallas 1PM
07 Princess Of The Night
08 Wheels Of Steel
09 747 (Strangers In The Night)
10 Motorcycle Man
11 Never Surrender
12 Denim & Leather
13 Backs To The Wall
Formats:
– Limited Edition Digipack + Bonus Disc Heavy Metal Thunder
– CD Jewel Case
– Double Vinyl Gatefold LP
– Digital Download
– Exclusive D2C (Direct To Consumer) Package
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Saxon is currently on a headline run of North America. The band will tour until October 10th when the tour comes to a close in Vancouver, BC.
LOS ANGELES FANS – take note! The band will stop in for an exclusive in-store signing at Soundcheck Hollywood (8872 Sunset Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA) on October 4th, starting at 6:00pm. This is right before the band goes to take the stage at the House of Blues in LA! For more information, visit HERE.
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Saxon Tour Dates:
10/1 Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
10/2 Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d
10/3 Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
10/4 Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues
10/5 Corona, CA @ M15
10/6 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
10/8 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
10/9 Portland, OR @ Alhambra Theater
10/10 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue
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-\m/eyer
Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes
