Saxon - The Saxon Chronicles
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Saxon has run into a bit of bad luck lately; He's okay now but the health concerns of drummer Nigel Glockler caused the band to cancel tour dates late last year. It's only natural that age take its toll on a band that rose to fame 35-years ago as one of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts. Everybody was quite a bit younger (and Glockler was not in the band) back when the definitive live film The Saxon Chronicles was shot in 2001 at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Never in the upper echelon of NWOBHM bands in the States, Saxon went platinum in England and was for a time the preeminent heavy metal band in all of Europe. Here the idea was to play a show featuring fan favorites from throughout their career and to that end viewers will be treated to tracks like the title cut from 1994's Dogs of War album, a scathing take on "Cut Out the Disease" and super oldie "Wheels of Steel." Unexpected highlights include "The Eagle Has Landed" with its David Gilmour-esque guitar intro and a take on "Solid Ball of Rock" which singer Biff Byford introduces with "This song's about the time we saw the devil in Louisiana." Other songs performed include "Motorcycle Man," "Crusader," "20,000 Ft.," "Strong Arm of the Law" and set closer "Denim and Leather." The band is hitting on all cylinders throughout, the show took place at night so there is very little distracting crowd footage and the camera is on the right people at the right time. Even Fritz Randow's drum solo, including some stick juggling, is worthy of repeat viewing. It's easy to understand why this film, originally released in 2003, has been re-released; Saxon fans and heavy metal fans in general will want this in their collection. And to top off the concert footage, a second included DVD is loaded with extras including interview clips and eight of the band's music videos.
Saxon - The Saxon Chronicles
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