Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt, released in 2018, represents Saxon’s 22nd studio album and serves as a testament to their enduring relevance in the heavy metal landscape. Produced by Andy Sneap, the album features a notably 'modern' metal sheen - crisp, punchy, and aggressive - which distinguishes it from the more analog-sounding records of their early career. Thematically, the album is a mix of Greek mythology, historical tribute, and classic metal tropes. A significant highlight is 'They Played Rock and Roll', a track written as a tribute to Motorhead following Lemmy Kilmister's death, capturing the specific speed-metal energy of the 1979-1980 era. The inclusion of Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth) on 'Predator' marks a rare foray into death metal vocal styles for the band, signaling their willingness to integrate contemporary metal elements. Critically, the album was praised for its energy and consistency, often cited as one of the strongest late-career entries from any of the original NWOBHM bands.