Saxon Comes To Dayton; My Interview

Saxon is coming to Dayton, Ohio this Saturday night. I interviewed singer Biff Byford in advance of the show. Here's some of that interview and you can read the rest on the Dayton City Paper website.  

We are a live band… no click tracks running with Saxon so I suppose [the stage] is where we like to be!” says Biff Byford, Saxon frontman, of his band’s current North American tour. The British rockers will perform at Oddbody’s on Saturday, Sept. 19. Fellow metal legends Armored Saint are also on the tour and will provide direct support.

Saxon is on the road behind its upcoming effort Battering Ram. A battering ram is a giant contraption from ancient times that is designed to bust through fortified walls. Basically, it’s a tool to break big things.

The band matched its metal sounding album title with the tracks on their new release. For Battering Ram, Saxon is back to basics, with “less rock and more heavy” as Byford is quoted saying of the upcoming record.

“The new album is still quite melodic, but I think the guitar parts are more focused not so much moving around from rock to metal,” Byford tells Dayton City Paper.

KEEP READING on the Dayton City Paper website. 

Comments

[Kixchix]

Nice article!

Saxon are VERY solid live. Armored Saint NEVER disappoint. After Me, The Flood is such massive track by the Saint it ain't funny. Go see this show. Best $30 you'll spend in a long time.

[Dj]

I've always liked Saxon's music and they would be really cool to see. I remember having an Armored Saint album a while ago and I really dug it. Not familiar with a lot of their music though.

[Jack]

I saw this tour twice, once in May and then just last weekend. Both shows were really great and well worth the 2+ hour trips for each. Go see 'em if you get the chance you will not be disappointed.

[Metalboy!]

"Can U Deliver" from "March of the Saint" and a sterling (as in 100% Sterling Silver Chrome) rendition of Robin Trower's "Day Of The Eagle", from their recent covers album, "Nod to the Old School", is Armored Saint at their finest.

Saxon never disappoints but for me, Byford concerns me with his comment, "More heavy, less rock" raises an eyebrow for me when he references the soon to be released "Battering Ram". What I've heard this far doesn't sound nearly as good as even one of their more recent songs, "Live To Rock" from "Into The Labrinth" or their best track of all time, "Where The Lightning Strikes", from their magnum opus, "Destiny".

[fletch]

Battering Ram is more gnr or metalicca influenced, whereas their other greater stuff is more motley, ratt, poison, Cinderella and britny fox influenced. stop with the eyebrows.

[Jack]

ummmmmm, sure, yeah??

[Metalboy!]

Allyson! I just read the entire Saxon article you wrote for Dayton City Paper! Absolutely first rate all the way around! Extremely well written, it's got it all!... Smart, informative, insightful and witty! Kudos, to you... You could write for Rolling Stone, Spin, New Music Express or any of the high end Rock & Roll publications!

[Him]

Another great article, Allyson. Thank you, as always, for sharing.

[Jason]

Saxon were solid as always, but Armored Saint were PHENOMENAL. John Bush still sounds amazing and the band were very tight. From the response they received, I think most people there would agree with me.