[.ca] Saxon - The Saxon Chronicles: Live 2001 (2DVD)

The Eagle Flies Again:
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this 2 DVD package from one of my all time favorite bands, and again Saxon has not disappointed. Having never had an opportunity to see Saxon live (and unlikely to get one), the highlight for me is the live Wacken 2001 concert on disc 1. Here the band show why they are still champions of metal. They deliver an in your face straight out rocking show of classic metal, including tracks from their latest album at the time "Metalhead" and many Saxon classics from their past. These guys are no spring chickens any more and so besides Nibbs Carter on bass they don't get around the stage that much. However there is plenty of headbanging, flashing lights, and other effects which result in a good visual experience, the highlight of which is undoubtedly the huge Eagle that descends from above the stage. It must have enough lights on it to light up the whole city! Original member Paul Quinn does not miss a note on guitar, and together with Doug Scarrat (who looks right at home like he's always been a part of the band) they pump out that classic Saxon guitar driven rock-metal sound. Fritz Randow (despite his belly) is excellent on drums, and delivers one of the best drum solos during Conquistador that I have seen. Although Paul Quinn is the guitar sound of Saxon, the man who drives the band is undoubtedly Biff Byford. His vocals are delivered with the aggressiveness of recent years and he sounds as good as ever. Although the crowd seem a bit laid back at the beginning of the show Byford works them well and it doesn't take long for them to get right into the show. He still shows us his humorous wit now and then, and pumps up the crowd so that he has them eating out of his hand. All the songs in the live performance sound good, with the older ones still sounding fresh. (I tried to write my favorites here but found I had listed half the set list!) The 13 minute interview with Byford on disc one is interesting, and this along with the whole of disc two is really bonus material for the Saxon fans. The tour-home video is amusing in that it shows the band stuffing about in Spinal Tap type fashion, but it also has great live performances of 747, Princess Of The Night & Wheels Of Steel. The video clips are also quite funny, just as the early clips of Judas Priest are on their DVD Electric eye. They show the band wearing those classic metal clothes of the '80's which now seem ridiculous (but we all love to see). The behind the scenes film of the making of the video for Unleash The Beast is also quite humorous, as are the Saxon Tv appearances/interviews. In general this is a fantastic DVD package containing a terrific live show and lots of bonus material for the fans in a wonderful book-type box which has lots of photos and reading material. It is a must for all Saxon fans. Buy it.

Pull your head back, hold your hands high, shake your body!:
I was fortunate enough to catch Saxon's U.S. Unleash the Beast tour in March 1998. It was seven hours' round-trip in the car, but absolutely worth it. Saxon was never nearly as big in the United States as they were in Great Britain. You'll get 30 seconds into the 2001 W:O:A concert and wonder why. No one does straight-ahead heavy metal better than these guys. Plenty beyond the concert to delve into, as well--videos, interviews, a well-done booklet, and even some home movies. This is a true fan's package, marvelously and lovingly done. My highest recommendation!

NOT the real thing!:
Saxon is 2 bands now. The Biff Byford and Paul Quinn led version on the DVD and the Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson led version. Buy "Rock has Landed" DVD by Oliver/Dawson Saxon it is a better representation of the band as they were during the NWOBHM. Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson were the founders (not Biff Or Paul). The band was called SOB in the beginning. That band also had Haydn Conway on guitar. The band changed to Saxon later. Haydn Conway is in the O/D Saxon version too. Steve Dawson wrote the majority of the classic material and Saxon suffered when he left. He did not like the direction the band was going. Saxon Chronicles is horrible sounding and just a shadow of what Saxon once was. Ideally a classic show with Biff Byford,Paul Quinn,Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson needs to come out. For now between the 2 versions, skip this and BUY "Rock has landed" that's how these songs were meant to sound!

Finally, now can we have some more please:
Finally this dvd is available to the US market - about time. It's a great package, the only complaint I have is that there could be MORE. There are a bunch of songs that are not included but what there is, is good stuff. This 2 disc set is good for US fans who dont have many chances to see the band live. One other thing, All the live footage is of fairly recent shows - with the newer band members (who are excellent by the way) - would have been nice to include some of the stuff from back in the days of the original band - but there may be some legal problems there. Altogether I am very happy with this set - now just need to road trip to some Saxon shows this year, San Antonio, Germany, hmmmm

Definately worth the wait:
I've been waiting for a Saxon set with some of the newer songs for years now, and I am thankful to finally have it. The set list is a couple songs short, but still impressive none the less. Bottom line is Saxon deserves to be held in the same respect as PRIEST, AC/DC, MAIDEN, OZZY, as well as the other power house hard rock/metal bands that are much more popular. It's a shame these guys haven't received the same following. I definately look forward to any new Saxon material, they rock like it should be rocked! With all that said. Biff sounds great, he's still breaking Mic's with his voice. Guitars, Quinn and Scarratt are on point, their sound is perfect, chops are huge, riffs thunderous. Nibbs on bass, he's all over the place and doesn't miss a thing. Fritz Randow on the drums, you gotta be kidding me, where did this guy come from? Very Heavy, Very impressive! Buy it now and enjoy!!!