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Album Review of Saxon: Hell, Fire and Damnation

Classic metal. That was always Saxon. All rock fans always respected Saxon and knew a Saxon concert would be a hell of a concert, even fans of less heavy, more melodic metal (which – who are we kidding? – was really melodic hard rock, and I say that as a huge fan of that subgenre). Well, Saxon hasn’t lost a step. Hell, Fire and Damnation is a heavy rock album full of classic old-style metal, varying significantly from song to song but always relentless.

The album starts with a minute-and-a-half spoken word opening, “The Prophecy,” delivered ominously by renowned English actor Brian Blessed OBE. It sounds like the opening proclamation of the sort of epic fantasy movie the album’s cover would suggest. The songs that soar are almost Dio-reminiscent, while others are merely weighty guitar-driven classic heavy rock.

The title track, “Hell, Fire and Damnation,” is a steadily plodding classic power rocker, with Biff Byford’s vocals echoing as if from a mountaintop. There’s plenty of power guitar, as well as dancing guitar solos, from axemen Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler. And the rhythm section of Nigel Glockler (drums) and Nibbs Carter (bass) is heart-thumpingly heavy.

Next up, “Madame Guillotine” opens with a softer version of its dominant rhythm, one that’s interrupted only for a mid-song softly meandering guitar solo before additional instruments join back in and reintroduce the pounding rhythm.

Focusing on Marie Antoinette, that’s just the first of the historically-based songs on the album. Other historical subjects covered on the disc are Kubla Khan (“Kubla Khan and the Merchant of Venice”), the Battle of Hastings (“1066”), and the Salem witch trials (“Witches of Salem”). The band also goes historically supernatural on “There’s Something in Roswell.”

Album-ender “Super Charger” is a strong way to finish, full of energy and power. A great driving song, especially if you’re on the autobahn because with its tempo, there’s no way you’re keeping it below 120 mph – I mean, 193 kph.

My three favorite tracks are “Hell, Fire and Damnation,” “Madame Guillotine,” and “Super Charger,” but the album is so solid, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of disagreement. Hell, Fire and Damnation is a great beginning-to-end listen. The guitarwork is impeccable, and it’s probably the main reason this disc doesn’t feel too heavy to me, even though it’s clearly an awesome display of rock power. It will not disappoint fans of heavy rock. Aside from the occasional brief respite to showcase powerful vocals or fancy guitar shredding, this album is relentless old-school-power heavy rock.