Review: Saxon 'Hell, Fire and Damnation' (heavy metal) 

What a kickass album! Biff sounds even better than he did on Carpe Diem a couple of years ago! This dude is ageless! I think it's safe to say that Hell, Fire & Damnation will likely be on my list of Favorite Albums Of 2024.

I believe the Pirate Radio lyrics refers to the English radio underground of the mid to late 60's. There is a movie called "Pirate Radio" that goes into great detail about the times.

So heavy, even a little darker than Carpe Diem, this is Saxon at their eternal best. Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler brings some serious heavy riffage paired with Doug Scarratt. Biff Byford is 73, and he still sounds terrific, and the rhythm section of Nigel Glockler and Nibbs Carter is absolutely crushing. Perfect ballsy heavy metal as we have come to expect from latter-day Saxon!

Listened to this once after you advance posted the coming of this review. The title track that opens the album really grabbed my attention. So much so that on that listen, nothing else grabbed quite as much. But on the list for another listen or three to see if that doesn't improve on multiple listens. Definitely a rocker, though. Thanks as always, Pete, for the weekly new product episodes. You and SoT are keeping the listening list full.

Can’t wait to see them in May with Uriah Heep!

It's taken a few more listens and I can now report, this is the dog's bollocks and then some. A punchy massive sounding production, fist pumping riffage of the highest order and Biff belting it out with clarity and conviction (many other vocalists should take note). I will be stunned if I hear a better sounding metal album this year. I feared they would have problems following up the brilliant Carpe Diem, what an arse I am. This is pure heavy metal unbridled joy executed flawlessly. As Brian Blessed would say "Saxon's alive!"

Been playing it in my car all week since it arrived Sunday. A total banger from the NWOBHM legends. 🤘🤘⚔⚔🏰🛡

Got to meet Biff several years ago. Total gentleman. Great guy.

We could discuss how voices of these "old cats" are aging well like wine, because we all know that there is a lot of technology behind it (auto tune, pitch correction, etc; used also in live concerts). Despite all the modern technique, the vocals are still real on this record and not as computerized as e.g. Ozzy's last record. I will definitely buy the record. We're really lucky that there's still great stuff coming out from under the pens/guitars of these old cats!

.., amongst the gems and one of the great outfits that the NWOBHM had produced: SAXON .. .., so many great albums (since 1979) they came into my knowing, having that Denim & Leather portfolio with "Crusader" (1984) and my all-time fave: "Innocence is no Excuse" (1985), releasing much material throughout the decade that followed! .. .., the band has a vocalist in BIFF BYFORD with a unique voice and an amazing group of musicians, those in the lineup that has been present since the inception! . .., this new album: "Hell, Fire and Damnation" (released, 19th January, 2024) is beyond superb!.... PLAY IT LOUD!!!!! 🤘🏽

I forgot to say I think this may be their best Album yet. Hard to believe that they keep getting better and better but they do!

Love the album. Looking forward to seeing them live on two shows (March and July), both times with Priest and Heep. 🤘

Saw them on Carpe Diem tour two hours of full on metal great great show,Diamond head with Brian Tatler supporting also very good..

Saxon does not disappoint.. Biff is in his 70s and still sounds good

Hell yes🤘! Another great album from Saxon. Everything they've released on Steamhammer and Silver Lining has been very good. PS. Brian Tatler fitting right in...

My first impression was, great album but not as good as the last two. I still don't think it's better than "Thunderbolt," but it may have slipped by "Carpe Diem". If you love Saxon, you'll love this album.

Ever consider having a podcast with music with brief commentary on why you like the song?

I'm stood at the window watching your review while waiting for the postman to bring me mine!!

I already purchased it damn awesome 👌 👏 👍

Hi Pete, just wondered if you would do a review of the new release from STRAY, the albums called "About Time" 👍👍

All killer no filler, brilliant album as good as carpe Diem which I loved.

Never really got into Saxon, but I love what I've heard from this album, so I went ahead and ordered it, along with several others Pete has reviewed.

Sounds great at 1st listen. I need to play it a few more times to really know how much I like it. I'm the Fan who really loves the early stuff and the original guitar duo, but these guys sound pretty darn good. Great idea to get the Diamond Head player. Giving it more listens as we speak!

Touring with Uriah Heep can’t wait

Yeah very excited for this one and mine is arriving in the mail today!

Just got my copy on CD yesterday! OMG this album will rock your blues away!!😊😊. It's solid. No fillers. The guys sound great! Saxon's last 4 albums have been stellar!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely love this one, they are on a real streak!

This is a great album so far. Wouldn't be surprised if it made my top 10 this year. We'll see.

i got it on order

I have not bought a Saxon album for a number of years so thought it was about time I did. All I can say is WoW what a treat it was I had forgotten how good they are (thank god I have tickets to see then soon) and I will now need to add some more of their back catalogue

Definitely a great album. I like it much, much better than Carpe Diem. It's probably one of my favorite Saxon albums in their entire catalog and is their best in a very long time. One month in to the the new year, this is my favorite album so far for 2024. And I can't wait for the new Bruce Dickinson, Judas Priest, and DragonForce albums. Also, don't know if Grave Digger is releasing a new album this year, but they just dropped a new single a couple weeks ago, introducing their new lead guitarist. I'm hoping they have a new album coming out later this year. Testament has been working on their next album and plan on releasing it some time this year. And I know that Flotsam and Jetsam already have enough material ready for a new album. They just need to find the time to get in the studio and record it and produce it. So, there is hope a new one by them comes out this year too. I thought 2023 was a great year for music (one of the best for me in recent memory.) Here's hoping 2024 is a good one too.

Another GREAT album from the severely underrated Saxon 🤘🏻

Great album! 🤘🏼

Excellent album as always, my favorites Madame guillotine pirates of the airwaves and 1066 I think would be absolutely killer live in concert, I can hear the crowd chanting 1066! I'll find out because they're coming to Bogarts in Cincinnati!

A must buy, especially if it's as good as Carpe Diem

One of the bands that I love to hear.

My favourite Saxon album for a long time 🤘👍

Saxon is such a great and timeless band. I remember when I discovered them at Music Millennium in PDX in the Import section in the early 80s. I remember seeing them with Cheap Trick and remember the Mighty Biff up on the Stage saying We Are Saxon! Boom!

This album is fantastic!! I came to the party late with this band, my first album was Lionheart and everything after has been 🤘

Fantastic album 👍

Very good Saxon album

Pete this is a banger!!! Fantastic Album!!🤟🤟🤟🤟

Great LP.

I love the mention of Real Rock Radio KSHE 95 in St. Louis

A fantastic album

Great cd 1066 is my favorite

As usual by now: new Saxon, glorious Saxon.🤘

I had no second thoughts that I am going to buy album. Have heard several songs on YT, all very strong so I am waiting for my CD to arrive to listen to it from start to finish, just as it deserves.

Like a fine wine 🍷/ only one complete spin so far/ but damn good. Imo. 👍💯

Just getting into their stuff but this and carpe diem are great

Saxon are on fire. check out madame guillotine is kick ass. Something in roswell is awesome.

“There’s Something in Roswell”…… JFC what a performance on vocals from Biff.

Paul should follow suit like Chuck Panazzo does in Styx. Record a song or two or whatever on future studio releases. Maybe guest some live show stuff

And a happy 71st to drummer Nigel Glockler, who’s been with the band since ‘81.

I cant wait to hear the new Judas Priest album. What Ive heard so far is great.

Gonna have to put his on the workout playlist for tomorrow! Will be great im sure as all Saxon has been the last couple albums!

Very good album ,Saxon rules

Love Saxon. They are an awesome band and their new CD "Hell, Fire And Damnation" kicks ass! It ROCKS!!🤘🤘🔥🔥

Been looking forward to your review Pete and listening to this whole album, already heard the terrific title track here on YT, i just know this is going to be on my fave albums of '24.

I have to confess I haven't listened to a new Saxon album for decades, but this one has caught my attention due to the presence of Brian Tatler. And it's great. My only complaint, after several listens, is that it goes by too fast! I wouldn't say no to an extra track, or two.

Saw them in '81 at Stafford Bingley Hall, and I still have Wheels of Steel on my car CD player...can't wait to hear your review as their title track was banging...

It's almost stupid how good this album is. A true show of force from a classic metal band and their 70+ years old singer and drummer. It has been on heavy rotation since I got it. Must have played it through some 20 times already. They've been on a roll ever since Unleash the Beast but I think this one here might turn out to be one if not the best of the bunch. Yes, it is that good. Getting Tatler as Quinn's replacement seem to have added that little extra punch in their performance and songwriting. Overall the flow is pretty consistently heavy and relentless yet they still manage to vary things and give the songs enough of their own character. It makes you want to start all over again once you get to the end. And the great Brian Blessed with his larger than life presence opening the thing is a killer. How on Earth are they able to do this? And just for how long they can keep on doing this? O.K., they've been putting out albums like every two years so that'd give us some three more albums before Biff hits the age of 80. I can't believe that anyone can keep things up at this level past that age. Although, had I been asked ten years ago, I wouldn't have believed this one here to be possible.

I'm still waiting I got the preorder in November

Great album, I m a huge fan of this era of Saxon. Priest and Saxon need to do a combined tour of Aussie.

Fantastic album, been spinning the vinyl and cd on this and love it!

Simple, solid, polished, straight up heavy metal record. For now. It’s my favorite of the year. Saxon is an underrated, prolific band you got to love.

Fantastic album. Our favorite Saxons always deliver, so good to see these legacy bands still going strong and kicking ass! \m/

Cool, hot, spot-on, rockin’, Review, Pete! All the damn time. Saxon, rocks !! 🎤🎸🎵🎹🥁 Life is better with music.

Saxon are on a late period Purple patch, Carpe Diem was inspired and this sounds terrific. The band still sounds hungry and full of energy. Showing the young trad metal bands how it should be done.

I hope to be picking up my cd copy tomorrow at a nearby record store! Saxon always sounding Great! May go see them with Uriah Heep in Milwaukee!

❤

A fantastic album once again from the mighty SAXON. Nearly 40 years since I first saw this band live, and they’re still writing superb music. Great cover art too. Madame guillotine and 1066 are the standout tracks for me, but not a weak song on there, in my opinion. Indeed, I can’t remember a poor track from Saxon on any album for years. I hope everyone enjoys it. Look forward to seeing them on tour again in March with this album too. 🤘🏼🤘🏼👍🏼

What an incredible way to start the new year. Absolutely banging album!

Excellent album but IMO a step down from Carpe Diem. Cheers

I’ve been listening to nothing but this album for the entire week. Absolutely crushing album! If Priest is planning on releasing their new album this year, they got some competition. And if you ask me this is Saxon’s best album.

My copy just came earlier today and I'm really digging it. The last few have been their best since the early days, in my opinion. The mid-era of Saxon is pretty good, too. Just stellar work. Like you said, bringing Brian Tatler in is a genius move. Thanks for the review, Pete!

Great album and that cover art looks amazing!! 🤘🤘👍👍 Can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

This is a solid album with all the Saxon trademarks. Terrific production and the drumming of the “70 year old “is awesome. Bursting with energy and comical lyrics - Madame Guillotine. Slides in behind Carpe Diem, which I would venture will emerge as probably of their top albums of the 24 to date.

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘it’s a smasher. So good.

This album is so good. Just had it blasting in the car. The louder the better

Thanks for the review Pete! Ive been loving the singles and definitely need to pick up the new album. They've been kicking ass 🤘

Greetings from the UK-England once again....Not only is this a cracking Saxon album but it's one of the best albums I've heard in a very long time....its almost on a constant loop on my cd player.

Great album, but I still like Carpe Diem more. That's the best of recent albums to me.

Awesome album and sound!! Have been listening to it all week, great riffs and guitar tone!! Love the addition of Brain Tatler!!! Just bought tickets for them and Uriah Heep in May at the Paramount!! Can’t wait !!

Saxon all the damn time! 🎸

Great job Pete. Another great album from the mighty Saxon

Madame guillotine is amazing

Excelente Pete!! El nuevo album de Saxon es una delicia!! Madame Guillotine simplemente FANTASTICO!! OBRA MAESTRA!! Saludos desde Asuncion, Paraguay !! Cheers !!

🍺🤘!!

Radio Caroline 🤘

madame guillotine is so cool

Great band.😃👍

I have everything by Saxon so far bar the new album, but it´s only available as a digipak ....☹

RANKING THE SAXON ALBUMS (MOST TO LEAST) I am waiting for Hell Fire and Damnation still Wheels of Steel Strong Arm of the Law Denim & Leather Unleash the Beast Thunderbolt Carpe Diem Innocence Is No Excuse Lionheart Forever Free Metalhead The Inner Sanctum Dogs of War Killing Ground Sacrifice Power & the Glory Crusader Battering Ram Solid Ball of Rock Into the Labyrinth Saxon Call to Arms Destiny Rock the Nations

With the exception of maybe Thunderbolt their best in 15 years and the others are no slouches either, far from it!

Are you going to see them on tour Pete?

Listening to it now, Wicked album.

Most predictable review of the year already, but that's not Pete's fault 😂 Saxon are just so consistent over the past 20 years, they just release pure class everytime. Album of the year contender without a doubt. I can't wait to see them on tour and buy myself a t shirt with that great album art on the cover 🤘

Saxon were the very first band I saw in 1980 on the Strong Arm of the Law tour. They were my main band until 1986, when I rather drifted away from them as other metal genres and bands got my attention. I kept tabs on them but never really got back into them over the 1990s and up to 2018 when I really enjoyed Thunderbolt. I must say this is the best thing I heard for ages, have listening to this non stop since release, my favourite track has to be 1066, with Supercharger a close second. Can’t wait to see them with Judas Priest in March at Wembley

Not the album Carpe Diem was .