The latest album, Hell Fire and Damnation by the iconic British metal band Saxon, is scheduled to be released January 19, 2024, through Silver Lining Music.
Saxon has a massive following with millions of fans all over the globe and have been at top of the metal charts for years. This is their 24th studio album since they formed in 1975.
Hell, Fire and Damnation, will certainly serve as a reminder that this group plans to dominate the metal world once more with a fully loaded body of work.
Biff Byford, lead vocalist and founding member of the band says the title “Hell, Fire, and Damnation” was taken from a saying his Dad used when he was upset.
Along with Byford, who brings some of his best vocals in years, are bassist Nibbs Carter, Nigel Glockler on drums. The lineup is rounded out by Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler on guitars.
The album starts out with “The Prophecy”. It’s a haunting and dark dialogue about the battle between good & evil and the coming war. The lyrics are spoken by the famous actor Brian Blessed OBE.
This intro sets up the title track “Hell, Fire and Damnation.” This track is everything you would expect from Saxon. The guitars build up to Byford’s signature scream and the song is a definite powerhouse that is sure to be a future metal anthem.
The next track “Madame Guillotine” is their secret weapon in this collection of music. The guitars and bass set the scene as the intro begins. The music then leads the listener straight into a groovy mixture of rock and metal. This song is a real banger!
“Fire and Steel” will likely be another fan favorite from the album. It plays as an homage to their 1981 album Denim and Leather, one of their most successful albums to date. The song has powerful drums, tons of solos, fiery guitars and of course Byford’s signature vocal style.
“There’s Something in Roswell” begins with sounds of a spaceship landing and is stacked with grungy guitars. The lyrics take you to the desert in New Mexico, a story as old as our lifetime. It delves into the secrecy and lies we were told for so long about what really took place there.
“Pirates of the Airwaves” recalls the era of the transistor radio. The song is a tribute to Pirate Radio and the long battles with static, trying to find rock and roll when there were so few choices. It tells the story of a rusted old ship that a group of young men used to transmit music off of the coast of Britain. It all took place in the mid 1960’s with pirates defying government authorities just to spin the rock records that weren’t allowed to be played on the BBC at the time.
Overall, “Hell, Fire and Damnation” is a beautiful collection of music that takes you through a journey of history and into the unknown.
Byford’s vocals are powerful and the guitar work is exceptional. Scarrat and Tatler team up with some fresh and exciting solos throughout the record and Glockler’s drumming ability is top notch. In my opinion, this is one of Saxon’s most ambitious albums and proves that they are one of the best British Metal bands of all time.
Saxon will be on tour through the end of 2023 in South America and then touring alongside Judas Priest and Uriah Heep beginning March of 2024.
