SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live FRANCE Release 12" Vinyl LP Album

- A thunderous live document of Saxon’s 1982 tour, captured in France and pressed on rare Carrere pink-label vinyl for NWOBHM collectors

SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live France Release 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

Saxon's "The Eagle Has Landed" French release, a live heavy metal gem from 1981, encapsulates the band's peak performance during their world tour. Recorded in France, it captures the vibrant energy of the burgeoning metal scene. The 12" vinyl LP's production, blending raw live sounds with meticulous mastering, preserves the essence of the era. A cultural artifact, this release remains cherished for its musical prowess and historical significance.

"The Eagle Has Landed" Album Description:

The Saxon live album, "The Eagle Has Landed," holds a special place in the annals of heavy metal history, capturing the essence of the band's electrifying performances during the 1981 United States leg of their world tour. As we delve into the significance of this release, let us explore not only the musical prowess exhibited by Saxon but also the broader cultural context of the time period and the intricacies of production that went into crafting this iconic 12" vinyl LP.

The early 1980s were a transformative era for the heavy metal genre, marked by the rise of numerous iconic bands and the consolidation of its distinctive sound. Saxon, hailing from the United Kingdom, was a formidable force in this movement. With their leather-clad image, powerful vocals, and intricate guitar work, the band quickly gained a dedicated fanbase.

"The Eagle Has Landed" emerged at a pivotal moment in Saxon's career, capturing the band at the peak of their live performance prowess. The year 1981 saw the heavy metal scene expanding its global reach, and Saxon's decision to record the album in France added a unique flair to its international appeal.

The live album format has always been a testament to a band's ability to connect with its audience, and "The Eagle Has Landed" excels in this regard. The raw energy and infectious enthusiasm of the crowd are palpable, creating an immersive experience for the listener. The choice to record in France not only speaks to the band's desire to reach a diverse audience but also adds a touch of European flavor to the album.

Production, a crucial aspect of any musical endeavor, played a pivotal role in bringing the live experience to the vinyl format. The analog nature of 12" vinyl LPs posed both challenges and opportunities. The warm, rich sound that vinyl is known for became a canvas for capturing the nuances of Saxon's performance. From the thunderous drumming to the soaring guitar solos, each element was carefully mixed and mastered to ensure a faithful representation of the live show.

The artwork and packaging of the French release further contribute to the album's allure. Often, the visual elements of a record are as important as the music itself. The cover art, liner notes, and overall design were crafted with a keen understanding of the aesthetic sensibilities of the time.

Album Production team:

Produced by Saxon

Andy Lydon - Sound Engineer

Stewart Eales - Sound Engineer

George Bodnar (RIP 2011) - Photographer

Music Genre:

NWOBHM New Wave of British Heavy Metal 

Record Label & Catalognr:

Carrere 67870

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram  

Year & Country:

1982 Made in France
Band Members and Musicians on: SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Biff Byford - Vocals

    Biff Byford (real-name: Peter Rodney Byford) born in the year 1951 in Skelmanthorpe, Win England. Lead singer in the bands “Son of a Bitch” from 1977 until 1978, followed by being lead-singer in the SAXON band

    Byford formed Saxon in 1977 and has been a constant member of the band ever since. Over the years, Saxon has become one of the most influential bands in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, and Byford's powerful voice and charismatic stage presence have been a key part of their success.

    In addition to his work with Saxon, Byford has also worked on various solo projects and collaborated with other musicians. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the heavy metal genre, and has been referred to as one of the most influential heavy metal singers of all time.

    Byford is known for his unique vocal style, which features a blend of powerful and melodic singing, and his distinctive stage presence and energy have made him a popular figure among heavy metal fans around the world.

  • Graham Oliver - Guitar

    Graham Oliver a guitarist and bass player , born in 1952 Mexborough, England. He was founding member and one of the main song-writer in the British Heavy Metal band Saxon. He started his career around 1975 in a band called “Son of a Bitch”.

  • Paul Quinn - Guitar

    Paul Quinn (full-name: Paul Anthony Quinn) is one of original founding members of Saxon and started in the Coast and "Son Of Bitch" bands.

  • Steve Dawson - Bass

    Steve "Dobby" Dawson was born in 1952 , bass guitar player and one of the founding members of the British Heavy Metal band “SAXON”

  • Pete Gill - Drums

    Pete Gill - Drums, one of the co-founders of the British bands: "Son Of A Bitch" and "Saxon", he has played drums in two major British Heavy Metal bands: "Saxon" and "Motorhead" .

Complete Track Listing of: "SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed"

The Songs/tracks on "SAXON - The Eagle has Landed Live" are

  1. Motorcycle Man - 4:22
  2. 747 (Strangers in the Night) - 4:38
  3. Princess of the Night - 4:20
  4. Strong Arm of the Law - 4:39
  5. Heavy Metal Thunder - 4:09
  6. 20,000 Ft. - 3:26
  7. Wheels of Steel - 8:52
  8. Never Surrender - 3:54
  9. Fire in the Sky - 2:41
  10. Machine Gun - 3:52

SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live France Album Photo Gallery:

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live France LP: bold red SAXON logo, silver eagle emblem, and Gothic red title on black background

This front cover of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live (France release) is visually striking with a minimalist, high-contrast design. The background is deep black with no additional imagery, giving a stark and powerful tone. At the top, the band’s name SAXON appears in a large, ornate Gothic font, rendered in vivid red with thick lines and pointed embellishments, projecting a strong heavy metal aesthetic.

Below the band name sits a prominent silver eagle emblem with wings spread wide, facing left, stylized in a clean geometric design that evokes military insignia. Under the eagle, the album title The Eagle Has Landed is displayed in the same blood-red Gothic script, emphasizing the dramatic theme. At the very bottom, the word Live is centered and printed in a slightly smaller yet equally bold red font, tying the composition together in a vertically symmetrical format.

The layout uses a deliberate spacing strategy, leaving generous black margins around each element to focus attention and build a sense of authority and grandeur. The overall design conveys power, tradition, and live-performance energy, perfectly matching the live album's theme.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live France LP with red-framed live photos, tracklist, technical & production credits on black background

The back cover of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live (France release) features a dynamic and information-rich design set against a solid black background. Across the top, the album title is repeated in stylized red Gothic lettering with a central silver eagle emblem and a smaller SAXON logo directly beneath.

Five vivid live concert photos, each framed in bold red, are prominently displayed in a horizontal sequence. These action shots capture the band members in various powerful poses: guitar solos, vocal performances, and drum playing, all in brightly colored stage lighting that contrasts sharply with the dark background.

Below the photos, the complete track listing is split into two columns: Side One includes classics like Motorcycle Man and Heavy Metal Thunder, while Side Two ends with Machine Gun. All tracks are noted as being composed by SAXON.

The lower half of the cover is densely filled with white and red technical, production, logistical, and tour data. Details include recording locations, crew credits, instrument brands (like Shure, Gibson, Yamaha, Fender), and a whimsical section on mission statistics and support roles, all presented in a militaristic, almost tongue-in-cheek fashion.

The cover concludes with a note of dedication: "This album is dedicated to all our fans everywhere. You support the Eagle, we thank you. For you, we live and die." The CARRERE logo is placed in the bottom-right corner.

Close up of Side One record's label
Pink Carrere record label of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live (France), Side One, listing 5 tracks, 33 rpm, SACEM, CARRERE 67870, © 1982

This close-up image shows Side One of the original French vinyl pressing of SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed Live, issued by Carrere in 1982. The label is a bold solid pink, with white text arranged in a clean, centered layout. The top portion reads SAXON LIVE followed by THE EAGLE HAS LANDED in all capital letters, immediately conveying the album's title and live format.

The left vertical edge features the bold white Carrere logo. Just below the spindle hole, it indicates STEREO/MONO and 33 t, showing the playback speed. To the right of the center are copyright details: ℗ 1982 Carrere, alongside the SACEM rights logos, and catalog numbers 67870 and 67870/1.

The track listing includes five songs: Motorcycle Man, 747 (Strangers in the Night), Princess of the Night, Strong Arm of the Law, and Heavy Metal Thunder. Song durations are noted in minutes and seconds, and the publishing credit is listed as CARLIN MUSIC Corp.. At the bottom, the production credit reads Produced by SAXON.

The outer rim features a fine-print legal notice in French, encircling the label, denoting restrictions on copying, public broadcasting, and lending. The label’s striking color and layout reflect the album’s powerful and professional presentation.

Saxon: Revving Up the New Wave of British Heavy Metal - A Discography

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SAXON - Anthology

Saxon's 'Anthology,' a monumental compilation, emerged in the musical landscape of 1988. The British Heavy Metal icons unveiled this masterpiece as a 12" double LP, a testament to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. The anthology encapsulates the band's prowess, offering an auditory journey

Anthology 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Back on the Streets album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Back on the Streets

In the mid-1980s, British heavy metal band Saxon released an extended 12" vinyl maxi-single featuring two tracks, "Back on the Streets (Extended Version)" and "Live Fast Die Young". This release aimed to capitalize on the success of their album "Innocence Is No Excuse" and further solidify their position

Back on the Streets 12" Vinyl Maxi
SAXON - Crusader album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Crusader

Saxon's "Crusader," a hallmark of NWOBHM in 1984, exemplifies the genre's evolution. Produced by Kevin Beamish, known for his 1980s metal expertise, the 12" Gatefold vinyl offers a tactile journey. This album, a blend of anthems and experimentation, embodies the era's heavy metal spirit.

Crusader 12" Vinyl LP
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SAXON - Denim and Leather

In the early 1980s, amidst a burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, Saxon released their iconic album "Denim and Leather" on 12" vinyl LP. This album solidified their standing in the genre and became an anthem for the burgeoning heavy metal community.

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SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed (Canadian and French Releases) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - The Eagle Has Landed (Canadian and French Releases)

Released as a 12" vinyl LP album, this live recording transports listeners back to a time when heavy metal was forging its identity, a genre marked by unbridled passion, piercing guitar solos, and anthemic vocals. The early 1980s were a defining period for metal, witnessing the rise of iconic bands

- The Eagle has Landed Live (1982, Canada) - The Eagle Has Landed Live (1982, France)
SAXON - Innocence Is No Excuse album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Innocence Is No Excuse

Saxon's "Innocence Is No Excuse," a seminal British Heavy Metal masterpiece, emerged in 1985 as the band's seventh studio album. Marking their debut with EMI post a rift with Carrere Records, the LP showcases Saxon's resilience and evolution. Its tracks resonate with powerful guitar riffs and anthemic vocal

Innocence Is No Excuse 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Power and the Glory album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Power and the Glory

The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a pivotal moment in the history of heavy metal, giving rise to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This movement, characterized by a raw and energetic sound, emerged as a reaction to the perceived stagnation in the rock and metal scenes of the time.

Power and the Glory 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Rock The Nations (British and German Releases) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Rock The Nations (British and German Releases)

Saxon's 1986 release, 'Rock The Nations,' epitomizes the NWOBHM era's spirit. Recorded at Wisseloord Studios, the album, featuring Elton John on select tracks, is a testament to Saxon's musical prowess. The production quality at Hilversum elevated their raw sound, contributing to their status as NWOBHM

- Rock the Nations (1986, England) - Rock The Nations (1986, Germany)

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SAXON - S/T Self-Titled

Saxon burst onto the music scene at a time when rock music was undergoing a transformation. The late '70s witnessed the emergence of a new wave of British heavy metal, a movement characterized by the fusion of traditional heavy metal with punk and hard rock influences.

SAXON - Self-Titled 12" Vinyl LP
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SAXON's "Strong Arm Metal" is not just an album; it's a journey through the very essence of heavy metal. Released during a period when the genre was exploding with creativity and innovation, the album compiles some of the band's most iconic tracks, showcasing their ability to craft anthems

Strong Arm Metal, Saxon's Greatest Hits 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Strong Arm of the Law album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Strong Arm of the Law

Saxon's 1980 album "Strong Arm of the Law," released on Carrere Records in France, encapsulates the dynamic early 1980s metal scene. A product of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the album's production on a 12" vinyl LP resonates with the era's analog warmth.

Strong Arm of the Law 12" Vinyl LP
SAXON - Wheels of Steel (Multiple International Versions) album front cover vinyl record
SAXON - Wheels of Steel (Multiple International Versions)

The release of "Wheels of Steel" by the British Heavy Metal band SAXON in 1980 marked a significant moment in the history of the genre. This iconic album, recorded at Ramport Studios in London, UK, and produced by Pete Hinton and Saxon themselves, became a cornerstone in the metal landscape.

- Wheels of Steel (1980, England) - Wheels of Steels ( 1980, Europe ) - Wheels of Steel (1980, France) - Wheels of Steel (1980, USA)