British heavy metal legends Saxon have announced the release of a new album, 'Unplugged and Strung Up', a collection of alternative takes on classic favourites.
'Unplugged and Strung Up' reveals layers and pieces previously dormant in many of the 14 classic Saxon songs chosen for this makeover, thanks to some ear-catching new arrangements and mixes. Recorded, mixed and mastered with Andy Sneap in Derbyshire, UK earlier this year, Biff and co re-evaluated, re-worked and re-energized the likes of The Eagle Has Landed and Crusader by introducing orchestral dynamics to offer added dimension.
Frozen Rainbow, from the band's 1979 debut, gets an acoustic reprisal which transports it into a power ballad to be proud of, whilst Red Star Falling soars and sweeps the emotions with it's orchestrally-arranged dovetail.
Saxon superfans and collectors can purchase a digipak version of the release which will include 2002's set of pedal-to-the-metal re-recorded hits 'Heavy Metal Thunder'. Featuring staple Saxon stormers such as Motorcycle Man, Strong Arm of the Law and Dallas 1pm, it is a quintessential part of any collection.
The full-tracklisting for 'Unplugged and Strung Up' is as follows:
1. Stallions of the highway (Remix)
2. Crusader (Orchestral version)
3. Battle Cry
4. The Eagle Has Landed (orchestral version)
5. Red Star Falling (orchestral version)
6. Broken heroes (orchestral version)
7. Call To Arms (orchestral version)
8. Militia Guard
9. Forever Free (Re-recorded version)
10. Just Let Me Rock (Re-recorded version)
11. Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic version)
12. Iron wheels (live acoustic version)
13. Requiem (Acoustic version)
14. Coming home (acoustic version)
The full tracklisting for 'Heavy Metal Thunder' is as follows:
1. Heavy Metal Thunder 2. Strong Arm of the Law 3. Power & The Glory 4. And the Bands Played On 5. Crusader 6. Dallas 1PM 7. Princess of the Night 8. Wheels of Steel 9. 747 (Strangers in the night) 10. Motorcycle Man 11. Never Surrender 12. Denim & Leather 13. Backs to the Wall
The standard single CD of 'Unplugged and Strung Up' will be presented in a jewel case, and a double-vinyl gatefold sleeve version of the release will also be available. The digipack will be a two-disc version of the release featuring the bonus disc 'Heavy Metal Thunder', and there will be a digital release of the same.
Saxon are currently in the US touring but will return home in November for a handful of headline shows and a UK tour with Motorhead.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
