Description

2016 press on red vinyl with printed innersleeve

Killing Ground was recorded at the Karo Studios in Brackel near Hamburg by Nikolo Kotzev (Baltimore, Brazen Abbot, Nostradamus), and Herman Frank, musician with Moon ‘Doc and friend of Saxon drummer Fritz Randow from their Victory days, took care of the mix. ”The basic feel that you get at a studio is important,” Byford explains the reason why Saxon decided to record their current album in Brackel again. ”We like it at the Karo Studios, the chemistry is just right.” This positive chemistry is particularly obvious when Saxon dig deep into the annals of rock history and come up with a new version of the King Crimson classic ‘Court Of The Crimson King’. Every Saxon track centres on frontman Biff Byford. He lends content and melody to the tough arrangements, his inimitable voice always reigns over the instrumentation, keeping it together, spurring it on to top performances, adding expression and depth. His two guitarists are Paul Quinn and Doug Scaratt, two musicians who deliver their tough riffs and earthy solos with great skill and passion. ”The good thing about Paul and Doug is the fact that they seem to get better with every year,” praises Byford his two colleagues. ”They have always been fantastic guitarists, yet they’ve never rested on their laurels but continue to develop constantly. You could say without exaggerating that the current Saxon line-up is the best we’ve ever had.” This compliment naturally includes drummer Fritz Randow (ex-Victory, Sinner) and bassist Nibbs Carter, whose boisterous vitality seems to serve as the band’s ever-lasting fountain of youth

Track listing:
1. Prelude To War
2. Killing Ground
3. In The Court Of The Crimson King
4. Coming Home
5. Till Hell Freezes Over
6. Dragon’s Lair
7. You Don’t Know What You’ve Got
8. Deeds Of Glory
9. Running For The Border
10. Shadows On The Wall
11. Rock Is Our Life