Saxon have announceed the release of their 20th studio album Sacrifice on 25th February, to be followed up by a nine date UK tour in April. Singer Biff Byford had a clear idea of what he wanted from this recording:
"my brief to the band was to be raw, be real and not be afraid to look back at the old classic material for inspiration."
The resulting album is claimed to be one of the rawest and heaviest in the bands long career.
"It's certainly been done from a more early '80s thrashier perspective... and it's not just guitars bashing away willy-nilly, they've got a fresh drive, purpose and perspective. From the songs to the production, I wanted to focus on the raw aspects which made us great In the first place... And living in that rawness, combined with some great classic Saxon-songwriting, has in my opinion, made Saxon fresher than ever.
Some formats of the release will also feature re-workings of older tracks including an orchestral version of Crusader and an acoustic version of Frozen Rainbow.
Saxon will be heading out to promote the album with a 13 date UK tour in April:
Thu 18 Leamington Spa Assembly
Fri 19 Nottingham Rock City
Sat 20 Newcastle O2 Academy
Sun 21 Glasgow O2 ABC
Tue 23 Manchester HMV Ritz
Wed 24 Leeds O2 Academy
Fri 26 Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
Sat 27 London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Sun 28 Bristol O2 Academy
May
Wed 1st Dublin Academy
Fri 3rd Belfast Mandela Hall
Sun 5th Oxford Academy
Mon 6th Falmouth Princess Pavillion