Biff Byford Guests on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 382 - Saxon mkVI

This week we talk about Call To Arms, Sacrifice and Battering Ram. Yep we kept you waiting for another 63 episodes before finally getting to another installment of the Saxon catalog. However I think we’ve more than made up for it by having on none other than Biff Byford to discuss these most metal releases. Yep Richie sat down with Biff around the time they were mixing Thunderbolt to discuss the next three albums in the catalog. 

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

TOKYO BLADE VOCALIST CHRIS GILLEN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS ROLE

Tokyo Blade recently announced that they will perform with two vocalists, Chris Gillen for shows in Canada and The Americas and the returning Vick Wright for classic 'Night Of The Blade' reunion shows in Europe. Chris Gillen comments on this slightly unusual arrangement: "I'm very honored to be able to continue to serve Tokyo Blade and their fans. The performances with the original lineup in Europe last year were truly a privilege. As a dedicated warrior fighting to help preserve the NWOBHM style, I will always step aside whenever original vocalists Alan Marsh or Vick Wright are able to perform and celebrate in Tokyo Blade's glory.   As a member and a fan I want only what is best for the die hard fans as Tokyo Blade forges on, and I will do whatever I can to bring their historically amazing metal come to life whenever service calls. May the metal gods be with us all." Live dates in 2016 have been announced in Spain, Holland, Belgium, France & Germany with more to follow. South American shows will take in Mexico, Brazil and Columbia with final dates to be confirmed soon. For more details and updates visit the official website: www.tokyoblade.com

NWOBHM Heroes SAVAGE Announce Festival Appearances

Mansfield, Nottingham (UK) - NWOBHM heroes SAVAGE have announced several upcoming European festival appearances and gigs. Dates are as follows:

5 March     The Ultimate Revenge of Heavy Metal Festival - Nosturi, Helsinki, Finland

19 March    The Black Pearl - Laigneville, France

20 March    Le Gibus Café, Paris, France

24 Sep        Heavy Metal Maniacs Festival - P60, Amstelveen, Holland

15 Oct         British Steel Saturday Night Festival #5 - Fismes, France                

SAVAGE released a new studio album 7 on Minus 2 Zebra in late 2015. Included with the double-album is a live performance disc titled Live N Lethal.  The album can be purchased at: http://www.savageband.com/#!product/prd2/4355419415/7-live-n-lethal-cd.

7 features 12 blistering new tracks, which mix old with new. Many of the tracks are fast paced and hark back to the early days whilst tracks such as "Superspy' and Empire Of Hate' sound akin to something off a modern OZZY album or even METALLICA at their best! Live N Lethal features 13 live tracks. Included is the entirety of classic 1983 debut album Loose N Lethal, which is given a fresh treatment in the form of a recently recorded gig in the band's hometown of Mansfield (UK). The Loose n Lethal album is delivered at a furious pace, along with a few choice tracks from the band's back catalogue. 

Fun Fact: The song "Let it Loose" was covered by METALLICA on their first demo Hit the Lights. Stream the live version of the track from Live N Lethal at this location.

"Savage sound as vibrant as ever. Its 10 tracks hearken back to the band's early roots while also capturing a contemporary sound."

- Brave Words

"7/Live n Lethal is a fantastic combination of the band's classic era and its modern age sound in one signature set."

 - Metalholic

"Continuing a rennasiance that began about 20 years ago, England's Savage keep their New Wave of British Heavy Metal rumbling along."

 - Dangerdog Music Reviews

"Why Savage aren't big players on today's music scene is beyond me."

 - Get Your Rock Out

"The music fits right at home in the NWOBHM genre and the band musically stands tall amongst their peers from that time period, carrying forward to today. 7 offers fans absolutely no-filler."

- Hardrock Haven

 "7 is made up of 12 hard hitting tracks which shapes up one hell of a great album."

 - Metal Temple

"Savage are finally getting recognized as one of the best bands to emerge from the British metal scene."

- 100 Percent Rock Magazine

"Each album in this package is worth picking up on its own, but taken together what Savage have here is a release of tremendous excitement and a worthy contender for album of the year."

 - John Tucker Online

 "A great bang for your heavy metal buck."

 - Sea of Tranquility

"Savage deserve a whole lot more credit than what they get and this release is a perfect place to start for any novice, or the perfect addition for the connoisseur Metal fanatic."

 - Metal Talk 

"Savage's style is timeless, drawn from the rough n tumble pub rock honed in smoky working men's clubs of the north, taking in the hard rock of the 70s, and 80s metal from the US and NWOBHM to create the fast n loose rock that can be appreciated by connoisseurs, bikers n headbangers alike from big, swaggering rockers to fast thrashers to blues boogie rockers and down n dirty metal."

 - Battlehelm

http://www.savageband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/savageuk

Twitter.com/savagebanduk

www.youtube.com/user/savagemusicuk

NWOBHM Trail Blazers SAVAGE Release Double Studio/Live Album '7'

NWOBHM trailblazers SAVAGE have released a new studio album 7 on Minus 2 Zebra. Included with the double-album is a live performance disc titled Live N Lethal.  7 features 12 blistering new tracks, which mix old with new. Many of the tracks are fast paced and hark back to the early days whilst tracks such as "Superspy' and Empire Of Hate' sound akin to something off a modern OZZY album or even METALLICA at their best!

Live N Lethal features 13 live tracks. Included is the entirety of classic 1983 debut album Loose N Lethal, which is given a fresh treatment in the form of a recently recorded gig in the band's hometown of Mansfield (UK). The Loose n Lethal album is delivered at a furious pace, along with a few choice tracks from the band's back catalogue. 

SAVAGE, once credited for influencing METALLICA to play fast, the band has a strong history starting out in the 80s. Even though the band has often been linked to the NWOBHM movement, their roots are more in the vintage classic rock with a modern feel. Influences such as THIN LIZZY and DEEP PURPLE abound and yet with new material they sound incredibly contemporary and fresh. Their debut album, Loose n Lethal became a classic and was the biggest selling independent import in to USA in its day. The band have had a stop-start career but came back with a vengeance in 2012 with the epic Sons Of Malice. The band has been busy ever since on the live scene in the UK and Europe and most recently an Italian tour earlier this summer.

Fun Fact: The song "Let it Loose" was covered by METALLICA on their first demo Hit the Lights.

"Savage sound as vibrant as ever. Its 10 tracks hearken back to the band's early roots while also capturing a contemporary sound."

- Brave Words

"7/Live n Lethal is a fantastic combination of the band's classic era and its modern age sound in one signature set."

 - Metalholic

"Continuing a rennasiance that began about 20 years ago, England's Savage keep their New Wave of British Heavy Metal rumbling along."

 - Dangerdog Music Reviews

"Why Savage aren't big players on today's music scene is beyond me."

 - Get Your Rock Out

Disc 1: 7 

1. I Am The Law

2. Lock N Load

3. Empire Of Hate

4. Super Spy

5. Circus Of Fools

6. Crazy Horse

7. Speed Freak

8. The Road To Avalon (Sins Of The Fathers)

9. Children Of The Night

10. Payback's A Bitch

11. Shake The Tree

12. Heads Will Roll

Disc 2: Live N Lethal 

1. A Prelude To Rage

2. The Rage Within

3. Black 'n' Blue

4. White Hot

5. The China Run

6. On The Rocks

7. Aint No Fit Place

8. Dirt Money

9. Berlin

10. Cry Wolf

11. Let It Loose

12. Smilling Assassin

13. We Got The Edge

 http://www.savageband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/savageuk

Twitter.com/savagebanduk

www.youtube.com/user/savagemusicuk

SACRILEGE signed a worldwide deal with PURE STEEL RECORDS

The NWOBHM Band SACRILEGE from Gillingham signed a worldwide deal with PURE STEEL RECORDS. The new album is entitled “six6six” and will be released on 3rd July 2015. The Album “Ashes To Ashes” will be released on 26th June 2015 by KARTHAGO RECORDS. LINE-UP: Bill Beadle – vocals, guitars Neil Turnbull (ex-Dervish) – drums Jeff Rolland - bass, back vocals Tony Vanner – lead guitar Find out more at http://www.sacrilegenwobhm.com/ or contact them at https://www.facebook.com/Sacrilegerock In other Pure Steel news: BLIZZARD HUNTER "Heavy Metal To The Vein" - pre-order phase started! The debut album of BLIZZARD HUNTER “Heavy Metal To The Vein" is now available in the Pure Steel Webshop. Save 1 Euro during the pre-order time. The official release date of the album is the 19th of June 2015.

SATAN Announces First U.S. Live Dates

Legendary NWOBHM band SATAN have announced a series of live dates in the U.S. and Europe.

SATAN is a heavy metal band originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, known as part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s.

Their 1983 debut album, Court In The Act, is now widely-acclaimed and regarded by many as the pinnacle of their career, during which the band's line-up underwent a number of personnel changes and even changes in band name, releasing albums under the name of BLIND FURY and PARIAH, before folding in 1990. Guitarist Steve Ramsey and bassist Graeme English went on to found folk metal band SKYCLAD, while vocalist Brian Ross reformed his original band BLITZKRIEG.

SATAN remained inactive until re-assembling for a one-off gig at Germany's Wacken Open Air in 2004, and finally reunited in their original Court In The Act line-up for 2011's Keep It True festival. The band performed at several european festivals in 2011 and 2012 and have announced more festival shows and even a new album for 2013, to mark the 30th anniversary of Court In The Act's release. Bow to your knees, SATAN was back with its new album Life Sentence, released in April 2013 on Listenable Records. 

Life Sentence was featured on many a "Best Of 2013" lists, and has been heralded as one of the best comeback album of the decade. 

Footage of SATAN performing "Cenotaph" at last year's Live Evil Fest in London is now playing at this location. 

SATAN Live:

3/01 - Hambourg @ Hell Over Hammaburg - GER 

3/08 - Santiago @ Evil Confrontation - CHILE 

3/15 - Brescia @ Play it Loud - ITxs 

4/05 - Helsinki @ PRKL Club - FI 

4/11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Black Bear Bar  - USA

4/12 - Montreal, QC @ Katacombes - CANADA

4/13 - Worcester, MA @ Ralph's Rock Diner - USA

4/14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie - USA

4/15 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter - USA

4/16 - Baltimore, MD @ The Metro Gallery -USA

5/09 - Wuustwezel @ Puntpop - BE

5/31 - Alvesta @ Muskel Rock - SW

6/20 - Clisson @ Hellfest - FR

8/09 - Dobriach @ Sauzipf Rocks - AT

8/10 - Derbyshire @ Bloodstock open air - UK

8/30 - Bergen @ Beyond the Gates - NO 

SALEM ONCE AGAIN SIGNED WITH PURE ROCK RECORDS/PURE STEEL RECORDS

The NWOBHM Band SALEM has signed for their new album "Forgotten Dreams" a record contract with PURE ROCK RECORDS, a sub label of PURE STEEL RECORDS!  More news coming soon.

LINE-UP:
Simon Saxby - Vocals
Paul Macnamara - Guitars
Mark Allison - Guitars
Adrian Jenkinson - Bass
Paul Mendham – Drums

NIGHT DEMON Announce Live Dates and Prepare to Enter Studio

Having recently released their self-titled debut EP via Shadow Kingdom  Records, Oxnard California NWOBHM-inspired upstarts NIGHT DEMON  have announced a series of one-off shows in support of the EP. At the end  of September, the band will enter the studio to commence work on the  full-length follow up to their four-song debut. The full-length will be  released on a yet-to-be-determined label.  NIGHT  DEMON Live Dates: 09/14 @ Bombay - Ventura, CA (Record Release Show!)  10/16 @ Malone's - Santa Ana, CA w/ Diamond Head & Raven  10/17 @ The Vex Arts - Los Angeles, CA w/ Diamond Head & Raven  10/20 @ The Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas,  NV w/ Diamond Head & Raven  10/25 @ The Creekside - Santa Barbara, CA  This California trio, featuring members of THE FUCKING WRATH, first started  making noise in 2011. It didn't take long for the band to make a name for  themselves with trad-metal maniacs from across the globe. In fact, shortly  after establishing an online presence via Bandcamp, the organizers of  Germany's Keep It True Festival offered NIGHT DEMON a place on  the fest's 2014 line-up. British metallic stylings reminiscent of  Angel Witch, Raven and Iron Maiden are kicked into overdrive with an edgier and gritter dose of American venom.  Consider NIGHT DEMON mandatory listening for any NWOBHM fan.  The Shadow Kingdom Records CD release is remastered from the digital  version and offers an undeniably superior sound.      A video for the song "Night Demon," filmed, directed and produced by the band,  is now playing at this location.  The band's self-titled EP was made available on August 6th and can be  purchased at www.store.shadowkingdomrecords.com. "...raw, ass kicking metal." - Sounds From the Mead Hall "The call to join Night Demon's ritual should be heeded by all those who  can trace their metal roots back to the Eighties, or anyone who appreciates  metal from the days when the only available prefix was heavy." -  BlackSundayMagazine.net "Look out for this band; they have something special..." -  AveNoctum.com www.nightdemon.net www.facebook.com/nightdemonband

Terrorizer Magazine Streaming SATAN's Life Sentence In Full

NWOBHM legends SATAN and Listenable Records have allied themselves with Terrorizer Magazine for a full stream of the band's long-awaited new album Life Sentence.  

The album will be out in North America on May 21st through Listenable Records, but you lucky bastards can check it out in its entirety at this location. 

This Sunday - April 28th - SATAN guitarist Steve Ramsey will be the special guest on Heavy Metal Mayhem. Tune in to the podcast this Sunday at 6:00 EST sharp to hear Steve and HMM host Mike "The Big Cheese" chat LIVE about Life Sentence and SATAN's storied history. Listen the Heavy Metal Mayhem at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heavy-metal-mayhem/2013/04/28/heavy-metal-mayhem

Life Sentence, SATAN's first full-length since 1987's Suspended Sentence, will mark the 30th anniversary of the band's highly-acclaimed 1983 debut Court In The Act. The album feature the same line-up that appeared on that now-classic piece of metal history.

The cover art for the album (pictured below) was drawn by famed artist Eliran Kantor (SODOM, TESTAMENT, HATEBREED - www.elirankantor.com) and depicts a similar graphic concept as Court In The Act. Mixed by Dario Mollo at Damage Inc. Studio in Italy and tracked late last year at First Avenue in Newcastle, Life Sentence is a very strong uptempo heavy metal album that will undoubtedly become a metal classic. 

Pre-orders are available at http://shop.listenable.net/category.php?id_category=137

"The 80s NWOBHM legends return with an absolute beast of a comeback"

- Metal Hammer

"With the original lineup all in place, Satan's high-flying, expertly-phrased melody lines and riffing have returned as if reappearing, modified DeLorean-style, from the past."

- Worm Gear Zine

SATAN are a heavy metal band originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, known as part of the NWOBHM movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s. SATAN remained inactive until re-assembling for a one-off gig at Germany's Wacken Open Air in 2004, and finally reunited in their original Court In The Act line-up for 2011's Keep It True festival. The band performed at several European festivals in 2011 and 2012 and have announced more festival shows and new album for 2013, to mark the 30th anniversary of their debut release.

www.satanmusic.com 

www.twitter.com/satanmusic_com 

www.facebook.com/officialsatanpage

                                    www.listenable.net 

SATAN Reveals Artwork For "Life Sentence"

Legendary British heavy metal band SATAN will release Life Sentence, their first studio full-length under the SATAN banner since 1987's Suspended Sentence, on April 29th in Europe and in May in the U.S.

The cover art for the album (pictured below) was drawn by famed artist Eliran Kantor (SODOM, TESTAMENT, HATEBREED - www.elirankantor.com) and depicts a similar graphic concept as their 1983 debut, Court In The Act. Mixed by Dario Mollo at Damage Inc. Studio in Italy and tracked late last year at First Avenue in Newcastle, Life Sentence is a very strong uptempo heavy metal album that will undoubtedly become a metal classic. 

Fittingly, Life Sentence will mark the 30th anniversary of their greatly acclaimed debut Court In The Act. The new album will also feature the same line-up that appeared on that now-classic piece of metal history. 

Live footage of the band performing "Heads Will Roll/Hunt You Down" at a 2011 gig at The Purple Turtle in London can be seen at www.vimeo.com/29945653.

Time to Die

Twenty Twenty Five

Cenotaph

Siege Mentality

Incantations

Testimony

Tears of Blood

Life Sentence

Personal Demons

Another Universe

SATAN are a heavy metal band originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, known as part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s. SATAN remained inactive until re-assembling for a one-off gig at Germany's Wacken Open Air in 2004, and finally reunited in their original Court In The Act line-up for 2011's Keep It True festival. The band performed at several european festivals in 2011 and 2012 and have announced more festival shows and new album for 2013, to mark the 30th anniversary of their debut release.

SATAN Line-up:

Brian Ross - vocals

Steve Ramsey - Guitar

Russ Tippins - Guitar

Graeme English - Bass

Sean Taylor - Drums

www.satanmusic.com   

www.twitter.com/satanmusic_com

www.facebook.com/officialsatanpage

www.listenable.net

NWOBHM Legends SATAN Sign With Listenable Records

New Wave of British Heavy Metal Legends SATAN have recently inked a deal with France's Listenable Records.

The band is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to an album entirely of new material written over the last 18 months. This is the culmination of a process that began when the original Court In The Act album line-up got together for an exclusive 'one-off' reunion show at Germany's 'KEEP IT TRUE' Festival last year.

This line-up had not performed together in 28 years. The band was somewhat overwhelmed with the response - ten minutes into headliners' CRIMSON GLORY's set the crowd could still be heard chanting for SATAN!

SATAN immediately booked more shows in Germany, Holland, Belgium, & London, and have since kept in close contact with each other, writing songs and making demos.

The new album, to be titled Life Sentence is scheduled for release in the spring of 2013. The full track listing is as follows:

Time to Die

Twenty Twenty Five

Cenotaph

Siege Mentality

Incantations

Testimony

Tears of Blood

Life Sentence

Personal Demons

Another Universe

Fittingly, this will mark the 30th anniversary of their greatly acclaimed debut Court In The Act. The new album will also feature the same line-up that appeared on that now-classic piece of metal history. 

Live footage of SATAN performing "Trial by Fire" at Germany's Metal Assault Festival 2012 has been posted for your viewing pleasure at this location. 

SATAN Line-up:

Brian Ross - vocals

Steve Ramsey - Guitar

Russ Tippins - Guitar

Graeme English - Bass

Sean Taylor - Drums

www.satanmusic.com   

www.listenable.net