Hell, Fire and Damnation

Released in early 2024, Hell, Fire and Damnation marks the 24th studio album from Saxon and serves as a significant milestone due to the recruitment of Brian Tatler (Diamond Head) following Paul Quinn's retirement from touring. Produced by Andy Sneap and Biff Byford, the record achieves a modern hi-fi sheen that enhances the band's traditional heavy metal roots. Thematically, the album leans heavily into historical and mythological storytelling, covering topics such as the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the French Revolution, and the Salem witch trials. This narrative focus, combined with the 'twin-guitar' attack, reinforces their position as standard-bearers of the NWOBHM movement. Critics have noted the album's surprising vitality, praising Byford's vocal longevity and the seamless integration of Tatler's riff-writing style into the established Saxon DNA. It stands as one of their most cohesive and energetic late-career efforts.