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Hell, Fire And Damnation

    
       
       
       
     
             
Saxon are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in the late seventies, releasing their self titled debut album in 1979 - the band spearheading the re-birth and re-invention of heavy metal along with fellow countrymen such as Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Girlschool, Iron Maiden, Raven, Tygers Of Pan Tang, and Venom as part of the burgeoning NWOBHM evolution during the eighties. These bands - plus many many more - changed the face and sound of heavy metal forever, releasing landmark albums that are still held in high regard today as some of the greatest heavy metal of all time! Saxon have enjoyed a lengthy forty five year career, which has seen the band release twenty four studio albums, eleven live ones, numerous singles, videos and DVD's, perform all over the world and appear at most, if not all of the biggest metal festivals such as Wacken, Bloodstock, and Download to name just a few! The band are legends, hitting as hard now as they did back in 1980 when I first heard 'Motorcycle Man' - the first song off the bands second album 'Wheels Of Steel'. And from there I've been a fan ever since...    
             
...and still am after a phenomenal forty four years! Shit, am I really that old? I guess so, but my love for heavy metal has never wavered - and with one of my all time favourite bands releasing the twenty fourth album of their incredible career, my love is as strong now, if not stronger than it's ever been! 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' is Saxon's new album released in 2024 featuring ten songs over forty two fabulous minutes - the band as reliable as ever with regards to classic "foot on the monitor" heavy metal with anthemic overtures and an infectious level second to none! Opening the album, the band set an eerie yet anticipation drenched atmosphere with the one and a half minute crescendo building 'The Prophecy', complete with a short narration by none other than English actor Brian Blessed. Known for his trademark bushy beard and booming voice, Blessed introduces the listener to 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' - the opening song striding outta the blocks with all the characteristics you'd expect from the mighty Saxon! Big, bold, beefy and bombastic to the max, 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' (the song)is hard hitting anthemic metal at its unbeatable best, the iconic guitar sound of old school, traditional, and very British heavy metal taking front and centre, the unmistakeable voice of Biff Byford soaring through the air.    
             
And after that ground shuddering, thunder fuelled opening salvo, Saxon up the ante and march on with an even greater level of thunder courtesy of the magnificent 'Madame Guillotine'. Featuring a pulsating mid tempo roar, 'Madame Guillotine' is gonna nod the head of every single listener, fan, follower and concert goer, Saxon delivering an anthemic aura that's kept the band at the forefront of the worldwide heavy metal scene for over four decades! The band are held in high regard by everyone, recognised as one of heavy metals original torch bearers, there's nothing the band hasn't accomplished - 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' (the album) turning on its heels to scorch the earth with the blistering pace of 'Fire And Steel'. The fastest song heard so far by the proverbial country mile, Saxon are at full throttle here, banging the head of every single metalhead in the world, the band planting their feet firmly on the monitor. Talk about pushing the pedal to the metal, 'Fire And Steel' has pushed the pedal right through the fucking floor!    
             
With more elegance than heard so far, 'There's Something In Roswell' is a majestic mid tempo march of epic heavy metal, the band telling the story of Roswell with a massive sat around the camp fire atmosphere, simply oozing tension and intrigue in abundance. This is Saxon at their bombastic best, delivering a brand of heavy metal that so many have tried to copy - and failed! The British metallers are one of a kind, the bands sound and image defining heavy metal and everything it stands for. From album covers and themes to stage wear and sound - is there a more metal band than Saxon (and before you all start shouting names at me, that was a rhetorical question). 'Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice' sees, or rather hears, the return of scorching pace, the band accelerating hard to send every mosh pit into overdrive! And the melodious intent throughout 'Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice' is phenomenal - much more so than everything heard up to this point. Saxon have not put a foot wrong for over forty years, 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' (the album) maintaining their incredible (and lengthy) run of perfection.    
             
And opening with the line "just a teenage boy underneath the covers, listening to the transistor radio", 'Pirates Of The Airwaves' takes me right back to my teenage years, Saxon writing a song about youngsters seeking out pirate radio stations playing new music to a new generation of listeners - listeners who wanted to listen to rock, and the coming "new wave, stoking the rebellion coming from the youth". And that my friends I believe, is a reference to the burgeoning NWOBHM sweeping the airwaves, revolutionising heavy metal - a revolution that Saxon led proudly from the front! And the front is where the band remain, 'Pirates Of The Airwaves' a mighty rabble rousing anthem that anyone over the age of forty-five will instantly relate to. Now back in school, history was never one of my strongest subjects - bands such as Saxon (along with Iron Maiden) taught me more about history than school ever did! And in the shape of '1066', Saxon regale us with the story surrounding the Battle Of Hastings - replete with a more hustle and bustle feel than any other song on offer! The atmosphere created by the band here is colossal, the epic nature of '1066' mirroring the epic nature of the battle between King Harold II and William The Conqueror.    
             
And the band are not finished yet with regards to history lessons, 'Witches Of Salem' detailing the Salem witch trials in seventeenth century Massachusetts (USA) - Saxon bringing a touch of menace to the fore. Not to mention fear and fright, for this was a very frightening time in American history, 'Witches Of Salem' oozing one helluva scary atmosphere to raise the hairs on every forearm of every listener everywhere! Kudos Saxon, kudos. And to end 'Hell, Fire And Damnation' (the album), Saxon step on the accelerator once more to deliver 'Super Charger' at a phenomenal rate of knots, the band planting their feet firmly on the monitor! The high octane, incredibly energetic finish to the bands twenty fourth album is pure, unabashed and unadulterated heavy metal - and in all honesty, I wouldn't have expected anything less from one of the worlds greatest heavy metal bands.    
             
Overall, a glorious gallop of heavy metal heaven with a sky high infectious level and a head bang ability second to none.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
             
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