British heavy metal institution Saxon have announced their 25th studio album, Gods of Thunder, due January 22 via Silver Lining Music. The title track arrives today as the first single, along with a video, and pre-orders opened the same day.
The record pulls from history, fantasy, horror, ancient mythology, pagan rites and plain old rock and roll. The title track itself heads into Celtic mythology.
“‘Gods of Thunder’ is a mighty tale of Celtic mythology, packed with the spirit and power of true heavy metal,” said Biff Byford. “Turn it up and bang your head!”
Byford produced the album himself, with Andy Sneap handling the mix. Sneap’s credits run through Judas Priest, Exodus and Accept, and he currently plays guitar in Priest. The result leans on the weight, dynamics and layered arrangements that have defined Saxon’s catalog, with the rhythm section pushing hard behind the guitars and Byford’s voice on top.
“We had great fun making this album,” Biff said. “This is gonna be one to beat!”
Byford’s long-running interest in history runs through all ten tracks. “The Bloody Tower (The Ballad of Anne Boleyn)” tells the story of Boleyn’s execution, while “Medusa” turns to myth over a tight, hypnotic riff at breakneck speed. “Remember the Alamo” leans into the early ’80s NWOBHM sound the band helped define. The twin-guitar work of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler is front and center on “Temple of Rock”, built on the rhythm section of Nigel Glockler and Tim “Nibbs” Carter. Closing track “MI5” ties together the Berlin Wall and Cold War espionage.
The band’s upcoming UK shows are selling quickly, and more dates on the Gods of Thunder World Tour are expected to be announced.
Pre-order Gods of Thunder and find tickets: saxon747.com
Gods of Thunder World Tour Part 1
A Castles & Eagles Production
- 13 Feb – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (UK)
- 14 Feb – O2 Academy, Glasgow (UK)
- 16 Feb – Telegraph Building, Belfast (UK)
- 17 Feb – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin (IE)
- 19 Feb – O2 Apollo, Manchester (UK)
- 20 Feb – O2 City Hall, Newcastle (UK)
- 21 Feb – City Hall, Sheffield (UK)
- 23 Feb – The Great Hall, Cardiff (UK)
- 24 Feb – Beacon, Bristol (UK)
- 25 Feb – O2 Guildhall, Southampton (UK)
- 27 Feb – Eventim Apollo, London (UK)
Gods of Thunder will be released on a range of vinyl variants, CD, exclusive bundles and digital formats.
Saxon Lineup
- Biff Byford – vocals
- Nigel Glockler – drums
- Doug Scarratt – guitar
- Brian Tatler – guitar
- Nibbs Carter – bass
