Saxon have will release a new box set next month, titled The Solid Book Of Rock.
It will be released on August 18th through Edsel and include the albums Solid Ball Of Rock, Forever Free, Dogs Of War, Unleash The Beast, Metalhead, Killing Ground, Lionheart, The Inner Sanctum and Into The Labyrinth along with a host of bonus content.
A statement reads, “The set comprises 14 discs – not only all nine of Saxon’s studio albums from 1991 to 2009 but eight bonus tracks and two bonus CDs – Classics Re-Recorded originally issued with the initial pressings of Killing Ground, and a Lionheart rough studio mix which was originally issued on the 2006 limited edition.”
The package also contains three bonus DVDs featuring documentaries, interviews, live performances, promos and studio footage which were originally issued with Lionheart, The Inner Sanctum and Into The Labyrinth.
Also included, is the 2007 Pablo Aragues-directed Spanish art film, Perceval, which stars Saxon frontman Biff Byford as King Arthur.
The Solid Book Of Rock will be packed in a 24-page, 12×12 booklet featuring lyrics, credits and photographs, while Paul R Gregory has designed new cover artwork for the collection.
Buford says. “It’s worth getting just for the artwork. A great piece of Saxon history – and don’t forget I get to play King Arthur. I didn’t get the Oscar that year – or anything else for that matter.”
A limited edition version containing a print signed by Byford is exclusively available for pre-order through Amazon.
3 Responses
Saxon are just so cool! They are a CRIMINALLY underappreciated band from the NWOBHM era! Too bad that they haven’t seen the success of some of other bands from that era. I’ve seen them live several times, and they always put on a great show. Their music is just solid heavy metal, with no bullshit! This box set would definitely be something I would be interested in, as I haven’t got all of these albums in my collection. Those, along with all of bonus stuff, would make for a great buy, in my opinion.
I agree, Keith. Very underrated band, who should have had greater success, from the NWOBHM era and I would be interested in the box set for the same reasons you indicate. I first saw them in 1983 on their Power and Glory tour, opening for Iron Maiden. Saxon write great, anthemic songs and its great that they continue to be relevant today.
I saw them on the same tour with Maiden! The first time I saw them was when they opened for Sabbath on the Heaven and Hell tour, 1980 or 1981 I believe. As you said, they write great, anthemic tunes. Songs like “Denim and Leather”, “Motorcycle Man”, and “Crusader” are some of my favorites!