“Thunderbolt” is the title of Saxon’s latest album. What’s in a name? “Thunderbolt!” Enough said! This is gritty, old-school metal, song after thumping, driving song, pure and simple. It is with pure joy that I got to listen to it over and over again. The guitar tone is on point, the rhythm section is driving, and the vocals hit on all cylinders. Every instrument, vocal, and harmony, sit perfectly in the mix.
Growing up in Los Angeles I got to see pretty much any band on any given day of the week, and I caught these lads a few on occasions. I loved them then, and I love them now. When this review request popped into my inbox, I was super psyched! I jumped all over it and couldn’t wait to wrap my ears around it. And then for a split second, ya know, I’m like, “Oh man, I hope it’s good…”
Boy, oh, boy, is it good? Pfffft. The first track, A Wizard’s Tale, grabs ya right from the get go. They don’t slowly ease you into the album or the song, there is no long intro, and there is no waiting for the vocals to kick in after what seems like an eternity. No, they throw you right into the fire, as it should be. You had me at the first note! Eleven songs in, and I still want more, back to track 1 we go.
We all know how awesome it is to get a hold of good tunes, it’s like finding money in the dryer, the very best! A few tracks feel like they should be soundtracks for movies, with hauntingly strong music and lyrics, yet the mood just speaks to you in some subconscious way. The second track, Nosferatu, is full of theatrical lyrics, that as you listen to the story unfold, it’s riveting, as they take us into the first break, I’m like, “But what is going to happen next???” WHAT?? Keep listening and you will find out. Son’s of Oden is coming in on track seven, I can smell the leather from here, and I like it! Speed Merchant is track eight, and again the theme of the record continues, I’m all in right from the intro. Secret of Flight is track nine, drum heavy with cool harmonies, 5 minutes, I thought, “YIKES, this is going to take awhile,” but nope, I loved all 5 of those minutes! Track 10, They Played Rock And Roll: Heavy tune with clever lyrics. As I listened, I began to realize that this is definitely a tribute to late Lemmy Kilmister and Motorhead. Super cool tune there. Solid through and through. The final track is Thunderbolt, whoooweee – right back where we started! I love it. I love the entire record. I’m so super stoked they are still kicking ass and taking names!
I took the liberty of checking out their tour schedule, as luck would have it they are touring the US right now. Jackpot = Me! Although they don’t have a San Diego date on the books, they are playing plenty close in Anaheim, and I saw a little something about Vegas as well, both dates towards the end of April. I’m one super excited fan! They are playing all over and probably in a town near you. Grab the tunes and head to a show.
Rock on!
Spicy Kim / BackStage360