Steamhammer/SPV Records has issued the following update:

The Riff King contest, launched by British heavy metal legend SAXON and their record company Steamhammer/SPV, has been under way on YouTube. They are looking for the musician who contributes the best solo for the current Saxon single ‘Live To Rock’ (from their new album, Into The Labyrinth, out in January 2009). Until 31 January 2009, you will be able listen to the song, ‘Live To Rock’, at www.youtube.de/riffking and fill in your own solo in the part where the song is faded out. Record your contribution by webcam or video camera and submit it via the Riff King playback video’s video reply function to the Riff King channel. All entries will be judged by a panel consisting of YouTube users (that’s you!) and the band members. The winner will be announced on 9 March 2009 after the finals. By the way: it’s up to you which instrument you choose, anything goes!

In the beginning of March the exact places for the semi finals will be announced.

And what about the prizes? Listen to this: the Special Prize of the Riff King contest is: you get to play live with Saxon at one of their 2009 festival shows! It’s your choice where in this world you will be treated as the 6th band member for a whole day - whether it’s Brazil, Japan or Germany. Flights and hotel accommodation for 2 will be paid, plus some pocket money on top. Saxon singer Biff Byford will personally be the one who will pick the winning video. And that’s not all: in addition to this spectacular guest performance, Steamhammer/SPV and Saxon will give the winner an exclusive Dean Flying V Saxon guitar plus a megaphat Saxon fan package.

The other winners will not go away empty-handed, because Steamhammer/SPV and Saxon will give away more brilliant prizes, such as an exclusive Dean Flying V guitar, a VIP ticket for the 2009 Wacken Open Air, including a personal meeting with Saxon, super Saxon fan packages, and new Saxon CDs.

Please check out also the exclusive Widget on www.spv.de/saxon/widget or www.myspace.com/saxonriffking. This widget allows you to watch all the RIFF KING entries and listen to the upcoming record.

So: no time to lose, follow the latest Riff King news every day and subscribe to the channel now: this is your chance to be announced Riff King on 9 March 2009. The crucial phase has begun, from now the motto is: ‘It’s all about your solo!’

Have a look also on this awesome trailer for the Saxon documentary and listen what Lars Ulrich, Phil Cambell and Mikkey Dee has to say about Saxon...