| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING The Prophecy Hell, Fire & Damnation Madame Guillotine Fire & Steel There's Something In Roswell Kubla Khan & The Merchant Of Venice Pirates Of The Airwaves 1066 Witches Of Salem Super Charger Release Date: January 24, 2024 Label: Silver Lining Music Website: saxon747.com facebook.com/SaxonOfficial instagram.com/saxon.official |  |
SAXON IS:
Biff Byford - Vocals / Brian Tatler - Guitars / Doug Scarratt - Guitars / Nibbs Carter - Bass / Nigel Glockler - Drums
Biff Byford - Vocals / Brian Tatler - Guitars / Doug Scarratt - Guitars / Nibbs Carter - Bass / Nigel Glockler - Drums
Honestly, how many bands are left where a majority of the members are in their 70s or approaching their 70s that are still as much of workhorses as they were in their 20s? Not many. One of the bands that fits perfectly in that category is Saxon. These guys have been active since the mid-70s, and are still rocking as hard as they ever have nearly 5 decades later, with consistent album releases and tours. After having come out of the pandemic, they released the Carpe Diem album, and are now back in their regular work flow with making albums and touring. That being said, it seems very apt that in '24, Saxon will release their 24th (yes, 24th) studio album Hell, Fire & Damnation. However, before we head into the album, it's worth noting that last year, Saxon announced that original guitarist and co-founder Paul Quinn was stepping down from touring with the band, marking the first major lineup change they had in many many years. Stepping in for him is longtime friend and legend Brian Tatler of Diamond Head.
The one word that perfectly summarizes Saxon is "resilience". This is a band that hasn't taken more than 3 years between releases, with the exception of the 4-year gap between Thunderbolt and Carpe Diem, for obvious reasons. For 45 years, even during metal's darkest hour in the 90s, much like Cannibal Corpse, they always looked adversity in the eyes with confidence with a consistent release schedule, and albums that made it clear they're not to be messed with, and the songs on Hell, Fire & Damnation only further solidify that statement. With elements like Biff Byford's piercing scream at the top of the title track, and the mighty riffing between Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler throughout tracks like "Madame Guillotine", "Fire & Steel" and "Pirates Of The Airwaves". Of course the thundering bass of Nibbs Carter can't be ignored, and Nigel Glockler refuses to dial things back on the drums at 71.
Production-wise, we still get the same tones that we've been getting since the Sacrifice album in 2013, courtesy of the one and only Andy Sneap. With this being their fifth album recorded with him, it's clear that Saxon really hit their stride in the production department with Sneap behind the controls. I think it's safe to say that Sneap will be handling each new album from them going forward, but hey, I could be wrong. All these elements prove that after nearly 50 years, Saxon are still at the top of their game, still schooling many young bands and even many bands that are not too far behind them in terms of longevity, and are showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon. When you put on a Saxon album like Hell, Fire & Damnation for the first time without having any knowledge about the band's history, you wouldn't think you're listening to a band that's been around for nearly 5 decades.
The one word that perfectly summarizes Saxon is "resilience". This is a band that hasn't taken more than 3 years between releases, with the exception of the 4-year gap between Thunderbolt and Carpe Diem, for obvious reasons. For 45 years, even during metal's darkest hour in the 90s, much like Cannibal Corpse, they always looked adversity in the eyes with confidence with a consistent release schedule, and albums that made it clear they're not to be messed with, and the songs on Hell, Fire & Damnation only further solidify that statement. With elements like Biff Byford's piercing scream at the top of the title track, and the mighty riffing between Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler throughout tracks like "Madame Guillotine", "Fire & Steel" and "Pirates Of The Airwaves". Of course the thundering bass of Nibbs Carter can't be ignored, and Nigel Glockler refuses to dial things back on the drums at 71.
Production-wise, we still get the same tones that we've been getting since the Sacrifice album in 2013, courtesy of the one and only Andy Sneap. With this being their fifth album recorded with him, it's clear that Saxon really hit their stride in the production department with Sneap behind the controls. I think it's safe to say that Sneap will be handling each new album from them going forward, but hey, I could be wrong. All these elements prove that after nearly 50 years, Saxon are still at the top of their game, still schooling many young bands and even many bands that are not too far behind them in terms of longevity, and are showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon. When you put on a Saxon album like Hell, Fire & Damnation for the first time without having any knowledge about the band's history, you wouldn't think you're listening to a band that's been around for nearly 5 decades.
FINAL RATING
| | |
RSS Feed
