Saxon - Diamonds and Nuggets CD. At the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Saxon notched up several best-selling albums and singles in the 1980s. This CD features live and studio tracks from 1978 to 1982, including 9 previously unreleased, and the classic band line-up of Biff Byford, Steve Dawson, Pete Gill, Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn. The band's first-ever recording is featured and also one track with Rod Argent.

Emerging from Barnsley band "Son Of A Bitch" (soon to be commemorated on SJPCD079), Saxon were talent-spotted by EMI's Peter Hinton who, joining Carrere Records, took the band with him. Various outtakes on 'Diamonds And Nuggets' come from the sessions for their self-titled debut. It was Saxon's second album in 1980 'Wheels Of Steel' which provided their big breakthrough and that year was topped by appearances at the inaugral Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington (featured on 'Live At Donington' (SJPCD045) and Motorhead's 'Heavy Metal Barndance' at Bingley Hall in Stafford.

With enlightening sleeve notes from Classic Rock magazine's Dave Ling, and annotations from the band's own Steve Dawson and Graham Oliver, this release is a perfect addition to the Saxon catalogue.