SAXON Drummer Says New CD Was 'The Best Of Any Recording Session I've Ever Been Involved With'

SAXON drummer Nigel Glockler has posted the following message on his official web site:

"We actually started writing [material for the new SAXON album] back in January, getting ideas together in between the 'Night Out with the Boys' tour. After that ended, there was a long run of festivals during the summer until, finally, we were able to get in the studio to start recording the follow-up to 'Lionheart'. This was going to be a very important album for me — not that any recording isn't — but this was the first one since rejoining the band so I went through all my parts in the minutest detail and took onboard suggestions from the other guys too. They got plenty back from me as well re guitar parts, etc., but this is how we work anyway, throwing ideas around and helping each other. It was also going to be my first time working with [producer] Charlie Bauerfeind and, I must say, it was a great experience — he really brought out the best in me; it was a true pleasure working with him! It was the first time of working with a producer who really knew about, and was into, drums. And my keyboard parts went down quick too!

"Everyone worked their hearts out during the writing sessions and during the recording. I think the vibe was probably the best of any recording session I've ever been involved with — hard work but fun! — and I'd like to say thanks to the other guys for that — and Charlie and Thomas. We mustn't forget the many curries we ate! I also took a few homemade ones up for the guys to sample. The fact that they were demolished says something I think! And I now realise that Charlie is more of a curry fiend than any of us!!!

"By now, everyone knows about this Channel 4 documentary. That has certainly caused me a load of stress — the others too! Having a camera in your face for so many hours a day when you're trying to concentrate on music or just chillout after a long day's writing and routining is not a very pleasant thing. Well, I didn't think so anyway! Biff [Byford] got the brunt of it, being the singer, but we all suffered this invasion. There were fun moments too, but I have to admit I lost my cool a couple of times — ah well, we're all human!!!

"The secret gig at Lincoln was amazing — the audience were great but that was probably one of the hottest gigs I've ever done temperature-wise — it was an oven!!! The meet with the audience afterwards was very enlightening. I think we made a few new fans that night. Obviously not everyone was into it, but the majority of those we spoke to seemed to be. It was a good test for us and well worth doing. Generally we were quite apprehensive about the whole thing at first, meaning the programme as a whole, but later on we could see that Harvey and the TV crew seemed to be on our side and wanted to raise our profile in the U.K. The proof of the pudding will be when it airs!

"Next on the agenda is the album playback for the press — this Friday. That's going to be interesting to see what they think. Then the Air Guitar thing at Sheffield on Saturday, followed by the Sheffield gig next week. After that, it's the tour proper. I can't wait — it's going to be a long slog. I mean that in the nicest possible way!"

SAXON's new single, "If I Was You", is now available for download from a number of online shops. A complete list of participating shops can be found on the band's official web site.

SAXON will release its new album, "The Inner Sanctum", in Europe on March 5 (Germany: March 2, U.S.: April 3) via SPV Records.

Commented frontman Biff Byford: "'The Inner Sanctum' is a typical SAXON recording that kicks off with gargatum heavy metal tracks, followed by classic rock 'n' roll numbers, returning to metal towards at the end. I'd say the album is in the style of 'Lionheart' and 'Metalhead'; a number of tracks have a 'Solid Ball of Rock' touch, but at the same time the production [by Charlie Bauerfeind] is very modern."

Five days before the album arrives in stores, SAXON will embark on an extensive European tour, scheduled to last until mid-May, which will take Biff Byford, Paul Quinn (guitar),Doug Scarratt (guitar),Nibbs Carter (bass) and Nigel Glockler (drums) to England, Ireland, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Russia, Austria, Sweden and Finland, among other countries. Byford has already hinted at his band's live show, which has been updated as usual: "All those who know us are aware that we always include six to seven new numbers in our track listing when we have a new album to promote," he said.