Saxon is more than just a band.  At this point, they are an institution that started in 1979 with the birth of NWOBHM and has consistently toured and put out records ever since.  I have been a fan since the Denim And Leather, days, and although they had a very slight dip in quality around the Destiny album (which I like a lot now but was not impressed when it was released), they have been firing on all cylinders since 1991’s Solid Ball Of Rock.  This new record continues the trend with 10 high quality/high energy tracks that fit nicely with their older catalogue.  For decades, Saxon have created their own sound, and they have stuck to it without veering off into other metal genres.  Like AC/DC and Motörhead, you know what you’re going to get, and I feel Thunderbolt will be one of their latter day classics.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Here is where the disc comes to life.  This is a mid-paced rocker that packs in that Saxon sound with a catchy chorus.  Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt trade off some great soloing, and Biff Byford puts in a great performance with that unmistakable voice.

This cut has that epic feel just like their earlier classic “Crusader." The song starts with this some eerie keyboards, but quickly turns into that epic vampire tale.  Like the previously mentioned track, “Nosferatu” has the makings of a Saxon classic and will hopefully remain in their set list for tours to come.

Things slow down a little on “Sons Of Odin” and again, this is another sleeper track on the record.  It has that fist pumping tempo that would make this one a crowd favorite.  One of things that I have not mentioned earlier is that Byford always manages to come up with interesting and diverse lyrics.  The record is about half over, and we have had songs about Vikings, vampires and Motörhead.

The riffing really stands out on this cut with a catchy gallop around the vocals as well.  There is also an urgency in the performance as if the band was racing to finish the cut, but not in a speed metal way.