Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Saxon - Dogs Of War (Reissue) - 2006 - SPV

Track Listing1. Dogs Of War 2. Burning Wheels 3. Don't Worry 4. Big Twin Rolling (Coming Home) 5. Hold On 6. The Great White Buffalo 7. Demolition Alley 8. Walking Through Tokyo 9. Give It All Away 10. Yesterday's Gone 11. The Great White Buffalo (Live Bonus) 12. Yesterday's Gone (Live Bonus)

Well it looks like SPV has really had a fascination with Biff and the boys of Saxon for a long time. Their relationship seems to be very healthy and prosperous one, really solid through the many years of the group's career. Following on the footsteps of Saxon's best record to date in my opinion, "Lionheart", and the special edition reissue of that album earlier this year, the folks at SPV has sparked the reissue treatment for another classic Saxon release, "Dogs Of War".

This Saxon release really has a special place in my heart. The release has always been on good standing within the band's discography and in many ways helped serve as a doorway to the act's deep catalogue of material. I can remember picking this album up in high school and jamming it for days. Obviously the label holds the album in high regard as well, giving special treatment to this classic release with a reissue containing two bonus live cuts, "The Great White Buffalo" and "Yesterday's Gone". Along with those special little treats is some liner notes from the band explaining their spirits regarding this album and it's importance in the grand scheme of things. The most interesting thing I found with this release was the inclusion of the record's ORIGINAL album cover in the opening flap. I must say after all of these years of thinking the finished cover may be one of the coolest illustrations I've seen in metal, the original album cover is MUCH better. I think the rustic, antique feel of that illustration is more on par with that "new wave" movement.

Bottom Line - A must have for any Saxon fan and of course a great introduction at this stage to the fantastic and deep catalogue of Saxon treasures. SPV and Saxon look to last a lifetime.



--EC 03.18.06