New Wave of British Heavy Metal legends Saxon are due to release their 24th studio album on 19 January 2024. It is titled Hell, Fire and Damnation and judging by the video for the title track then that’s exactly what we’re going to get……!
Formed all the way back in the 1970s in Barnsley they were one of the bands leading the NWOBHM charge with albums such as Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law and others.
As I’m on record as saying a time or two before, back then Saxon did not do anything for me. I thought they were too “cheesy” though can’t be faulted for playing to their strengths and were very good at it.
Over the decades since I’d paid no attention to them bar the excellent Scintilla Project from a few years ago which Biff Byford sang on though more recently bought Biff’s solo album – School of Hard Knocks – which I did enjoy and then Saxon’s current studio album Carpe Diem released at the start of 2022.
Carpe Diem really hit the spot for me and on seeing the news that Biff and the lads are releasing Hell, Fire and Damnation in a couple of months I went straight to the pre-order button.
Then the video for the title track. Stunning stuff. Crunching riffage flying everywhere, marvellous solos with the twin guitars of Doug Scarratt and Bryan Tatler, Nibbs pumping away on the bass, Nigel Glockler remains one of the finest drummers in the genre and after all these years Biff’s voice is strong and powerful.
Did seem bit odd seeing Brian Tatler in the video and it not being Diamond Head. Yes, Paul Quinn has retired from touring with Saxon with Tatler filling in though I’m not sure of him being in the video means he plays on the album?
Anyhoo – now that I’ve revised my opinion of Saxon after Carpe Diem and with the mature, controlled heaviness of the title track to Hell, Fire and Damnation I’m very much looking forward a few weeks to release day of 19 January 2024.
The song titles give away what they’ll be about (for example Madame Guillotine, There’s Something In Roswell, Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice, 1066) and national treasure Brian Blessed crops up voicing the introduction in The Prophecy. I wonder if he says “Gordon’s Alive” – probably not…..!
Just under two months from date of posting this to release. Various formats available.