British heavy metal legends Saxon are back with ‘Gods of Thunder’ – their new studio album, which explores themes such as history, fantasy, horror, ancient mythology, pagan rites and the enduring spirit of rock ’n’ roll.
The brand-new single and title track – a powerful, anthemic journey into the world of Celtic mythology – are released today. “‘Gods of Thunder’ is a mighty tale from Celtic mythology, brimming with the spirit and power of true heavy metal,” enthuses Biff Byford. “Turn up the volume and headbang along!” Listen to and watch ‘Gods of Thunder’ here:
Produced by the legendary founder and frontman Biff Byford and mixed by Andy Sneap (Judas Priest, Exodus, Accept), ‘Gods of Thunder’ showcases the band at the height of their creative powers, combining powerful performances with vivid, meticulously crafted storytelling. Thundering bass and drums, razor-sharp guitars and Biff Byford’s unmistakable voice merge into a sonic storm of the purest British metal, embodying the spirit of the past, present and future. With this album, one of the world’s finest live bands brings its legendary power and energy into the studio, delivering a metal masterpiece that more than lives up to Saxon’s enduring legacy. Every track captivates with the power, dynamism and polished arrangements that have always defined Saxon’s sound, whilst the album as a whole maintains an impressive sense of cohesion and purpose.
“We had a brilliant time recording this album,” says Biff. “It’ll be hard to top that for a while!” Byford’s long-standing passion for history lies at the heart of the album; his unmistakable storytelling brings historical figures and events to life in ten powerful songs that are quintessentially Saxon. In “The Bloody Tower (The Ballad of Anne Boleyn)”, Byford recounts the politically charged execution of Anne Boleyn, whilst “Medusa” shifts the focus to mythology – driven by a tight, hypnotic riff and delivered at a relentless pace. ‘Remember the Alamo’ charges forward with the frenetic energy and spirit of the early 1980s NWOBHM. The guitar duo of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler particularly shine on ‘Temple of Rock’, underpinned by the rock-solid rhythm section of Nigel Glocker and Tim ‘Nibbs’ Carter. The album concludes with “MI5”, a timeless headbanger’s anthem that weaves together themes such as the Berlin Wall and Cold War espionage
“Gods of Thunder” is released on 22 January on various vinyl formats, CD, exclusive bundles and all digital formats via Silver Lining Music and can be pre-ordered HERE
SAXON:
BIFF BYFORD – Vocals
NIGEL GLOCKLER – Drums
DOUG SCARRATT – Guitar
BRIAN TATLER – Guitar
NIBBS CARTER – Bass
Source: Another Dimension