“This is album 22 and it’s called Thunderbolt. It’s a storming, smashing, thundering collection of tracks we’ve been crafting with producer Andy Sneap, and it’s finished ready to be unleashed. Stand clear and fasten your seat belts!” says Biff Byford.
Since the 1970’s Saxon have been pioneers of the British Heavy Metal wave with over 20 electrifying studio albums firmly under their belt. Now they are set to release their latest studio album ‘Thunderbolt’ on February 2nd 2018 via the Militia Guard label (Silver Lining Music), following the critically acclaimed release of ‘Battering Ram’ in 2015. The new album ‘Thunderbolt’ will feature stunning original artwork by the long time Saxon collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory (well known for producing epic Tolkien-inspired fantasy artworks for the likes of Dio, Molly Hatchet, Motörhead and Blind Guardian) and pre-orders go live on December 1st. To appease fans old and new ‘Thunderbolt’ will be available as a CD Digipack Album, 180 gms coloured vinyl in a Gatefold, Special Edition Boxset, Tape Cassette and Digital Download.
Three weeks after release day, heavy metal titans Saxon has announced that they will embark on the first phase of the ferocious Thunderbolt 2018 European Tour, joined by fellow English rockers Diamond Head. Performing alongside on scheduled UK dates will be metal trio Rock Goddess, with very special guests Magnum performing exclusively on the Hull UK date only! Presale for all shows is on Wednesday, November 8 at 10:00am with general on sale Friday, November 10 at 10:00am. Purchase your tickets here.
The mighty Saxon doesn’t stop there – keep your eyes peeled because dates for the Thunderbolt Tour Part 2 will be announced in early 2018!
“This is part one of the colossal Thunderbolt World tour. We’re going to be touring the whole of 2018 so get your tickets and join the ride. It’s going to be fast and furious, dark and brooding. Monumental riffing and screaming vocals – loud and proud – it’s going to be a Saxon tour, unique in every way!” adds Biff Byford.
Thunderbolt 2018 European Tour – Part 1
Fri February 23 – UK, Cardiff University
Sat February 24 – UK, Cambridge Corn Exchange
Sun February 25 – UK, Hull City Hall
Tue February 27- Holland, Tilburg 013
Wed February 28 – Germany, Saarbruecken Garage
Thu March 1 – Germany, Hannover Capitol
Fri March 2 – Germany, Frankfurt Batschkapp
Sat March 3 – Germany, Dresden Schlachthof
Thunderbolt Track Listing
- Olympus Rising
- Thunderbolt
- The Secret of Flight
- Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)
- They Played Rock and Roll
- Predator
- Sons of Odin
- Sniper
- A Wizard’s Tale
- Speed Merchants
- Roadie’s Song
- Nosferatu (Raw Version)*
*not available on vinyl
