Review SAXON ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’

That Saxon belongs to the flagships of traditional heavy metal is well-known. With a founding date back in 1978, Saxon is one of the pioneers of an entire genre and a strong protagonist in the NWoBHM.

A major change happened though in the early 2023, when long-time member and guitarist Paul Quinn announced his retirement from touring. Fortunately, the iconic band found a great replacer in Brian Tatler (Diamond Head) and one can listen to his guitar play on the newest Saxon release ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’.

The 28^th studio album showcases a band that is still hungry after all the decades in heavy metal. The band musically never disappointed and ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’ continues this streak of quality.

The new record isn’t a concept album in the traditional fashion but follows a connecting theme. Lyrically, Biff Byford lasers in on history and mystery, singing about Marie Antoinette and Kublai Khan as well as over the Salem witch trails. It is the fight between good and evil that is addressed in many facets and provides the album with a well-done storyline.

Probably even more important is the music, provided by the album. Fans of well-crafted metal will get their money’s worth as Saxon fire on all cylinders. ‘The Prophecy’ is the name of the cinematic intro, including some spoken word by the English actor Brian Blessed. It is a dramatic intro that leads you to the epic title track. ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’ is a pounding Saxon anthem and a great name-giver for the album.

The following ‘Madame Guillotine’ is a gloomy midtempo song that features all the Saxon trademarks before the forerunners of heavy metal shift gears. ‘Fire and Steel’ is a fast headbanger that reminds of the earlier days of Saxon. Mystery takes over with ‘There’s Something in Roswell’ and it is ‘Kublai Khan and the Merchant of Venice’ that brings back the historic part of the album. The latter belongs also to the faster tracks on the album, and I could imagine this song being a part of future setlists.

Melodic, that’s ‘Pirates of the Airwaves’ that reminds me more of Saxon in the late 80s and it is ‘1066’ which brings back the heavy sound of the veterans of metal. The sound of screaming witches is what starts ‘Witches of Salem’, a midtempo rocker that sounds good but doesn’t belong to the highlights of the album. The finale though is again a typical metal anthem. ‘Super Charger’ is a galloping metal anthem, made for the denim and leather supporters.

‘Hell, Fire and Damnnation’ is another exquisite strike from the British metal veterans. Biff Byford and bandmates obviously still enjoy a lot what they are doing, resulting in an album that sound fresh, powerful, and entertaining. There is no single sign of tiredness on this record. In contrary. Saxon deliver a next blast and headbangers all around the world will enjoy the newest effort of the band.