British heavy metal SAXON will release their 22nd studio album (!!!), “Thunderbolt”, on February 2nd 2018 via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music).
The follow-up to 2015’s “Battering Ram” was once again helmed by producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, ACCEPT and TESTAMENT, among others. The disc will feature original artwork by longtime SAXON collaborator: Paul Raymond Gregory.
Three weeks later, the band will embark on the first leg of the “Thunderbolt” 2018 European tour. SAXON will be joined by DIAMOND HEAD and ROCK GODDESS will perform on the scheduled UK dates, with very special guests MAGNUM on the UK Hull date only.
Dates for the Tour part II will be announced in early 2018.
The new album will feature the song “They Played Rock And Roll”, written about and dedicated to MOTÖRHEAD.
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Regarding the album title, Byford said: “‘Thunderbolt’ is about Greek gods, so I read up on Greek mythology. There’s not really that much. Homer had some writings… I made most of it up, but it’s based on Zeus and Poseidon and Hades, so it’s got a bit of good and a bit of evil in it, so it’s pretty cool. Obviously Zeus’s sign was a thunderbolt and his sign was an eagle holding a lightning bolt.”
Like “Battering Ram”, SAXON’s upcoming effort will feature Byford alongside Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt on guitar, Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler on drums.
“Thunderbolt” track listing:
01. Olympus Rising
02. Thunderbolt
03. The Secret Of Flight
04. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)
05. They Played Rock And Roll
06. Predator
07. Sons Of Odin
08. Sniper
09. A Wizard’s Tale
10. Speed Merchants
11. Roadie’s Song
12. Nosferatu (Raw Version) (not available on vinyl)
Tour dates – part I :
Feb. 23 – UK, Cardiff – University
Feb. 24 – UK, Cambridge – Corn Exchange
Feb. 25 – UK, Hull – City Hall
Feb. 27 – The Netherlands, Tilburg – 013
Feb. 28 – Germany, Saarbruecken – Garage
Mar. 01 – Germany, Hannover – Capitol
Mar. 02 – Germany, Frankfurt – Batschkapp
Mar. 03 – Germany, Dresden – Schlachthof
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News is also on METAL FORCES: HERE
On line SHOP (UK & US): HERE
