Saxon was one of those bands I felt like I was seeing a few times every year as a kid, and they along with Motorhead, Maiden, UFO and bands like Hawkwind and Def Leppard made up a roster of hard and heavy music that filled out many a summer. The fact that Saxon are still out there still making music is refreshing especially when it’s as good as 2015’s their last offering ‘Battering Ram.’ Indeed their 22nd record ‘Thunderbolt’ really carries on where we left off with that last album – it’s simple meat and potatoes rock music that blurs the line between old school hard rock and heavy metal.
This time Biff casts his lyrical eye first towards ancient Greek mythology and after the metal bluster of the title track the story of Icarus is referenced for ‘The Secret of Flight’ an early highlight and a good old fashioned rocker, before the contrast of ‘Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)’ a chugging ominous ode to the vampire that broods and bristles kicks in.
We’re back to what Saxon do best next with the homage to Lemmy and Motörhead: ‘They Played Rock and Roll’ – a sure fire live winner and ‘Predator’ a grooving rocker that even features some growled backing vocals. The foot is off the pedal momentarily for the lumbering hulk of ‘Sons of Odin’ which goes down particularly nicely before we’re back to the driving power Metal of ‘Sniper.’
One thing ‘Thunderbolt’ does successfully is mix up the pace well and ‘A Wizard’s Tale’ rides some nice rolling riffs and sits comfortably next to the pedal to the metal ‘Speed Merchants.’ It’s a great pairing and final cut ‘Roadie’s Song’ closes proceedings with a nod to the people who make it all happen behind the scenes – the road crew.
If I’ve one gripe it’s that the album seems to fly by, which so often seems to be the sign of a great album these days. If you’ve followed the band over the last 40 years you’ll be well aware that musically they’re as solid as ever and this record is a welcome addition to the catalogue. It’s a great band performance and the songs are more than worthy, what is most remarkable though is how well Byford’s vocals spark these songs to life – he sounds great here.
A worthy addition to your rock and metal collection for sure, and if that wasn’t enough the first leg of the Thunderbolt 2018 European Tour which kicks off in February looks unmissable with both Diamond Head and Rock Goddess supporting.
Thunderbolt Track Listing: 1. Olympus Rising | 2. Thunderbolt | 3. The Secret of Flight |4. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz) | 5. They Played Rock and Roll | 6. Predator | 7. Sons of Odin | 8. Sniper |9. A Wizard’s Tale |10. Speed Merchants | 11. Roadie’s Song | 12. Nosferatu (Raw Version – not available on vinyl)
Thunderbolt 2018 European Tour – Part 1
Fri February 23 – UK, Cardiff University
Sat February 24 – UK, Cambridge Corn Exchange
Sun February 25 – UK, Hull City Hall
Tue February 27- Holland, Tilburg 013
Wed February 28 – Germany, Saarbruecken Garage
Thu March 1 – Germany, Hannover Capitol
Fri March 2 – Germany, Frankfurt Batschkapp
Sat March 3 – Germany, Dresden Schlachthof
