Without any doubt, SAXON is one of the most important bands in the history of Heavy Metal. Being pioneers of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in 1979, the English guys gained worldwide attention in the early 1980s and released at least three albums that every Metal fan should know. Those who were there back in those days will still sing along every line of ‘Wheels Of Steel’, ‘Strong Arm Of The Law’ and ‘Denim And Leather’. Despite several crises, SAXON are still alive, playing well received live shows and releasing new stuff every now and then. Their latest offering “Hell, Fire And Damnation” dates from early 2024. It’s no surprise that it features classic, powerful and more mid tempo based Heavy Metal in typical SAXON style, lead by the characteristic voice of Biff Byford. I don’t think that “Hell, Fire And Damnation” will disappoint anyone who likes old fashioned Heavy Metal in common and SAXON in particular. Of course the songs don’t feature the sometimes naïve enthusiasm that was characteristic for the early works of the band, but no one will expect that any longer from five guys who are in their 60s and 70s. Instead we have quite elaborate songs dealing mainly with historical or even philosophical topics. And songs like the epic title track, the fierce ‘Fire And Steel’ or the rocking ‘Super Charger’, just to mention a few, are timeless Metal songs that are always worth an ear or two. My personal favourite on “Hell, Fire And Damnation” is an ode to the old times when pirate radio stations had an impact on young people, fittingly titled ‘Pirates Of The Airwaves’. This one breathes a lot of the spirit that I personally love about the old SAXON songs that left a huge impact on me as a kid. So I can only state here that SAXON still know how to rock, even though them old bones aren’t 25 any more. In case you haven’t got your copy of “Hell, Fire And Damnation” yet, you might be happy to find out that the album got re-released as a double disc that features a second full album and thus got re-titled “Hell, Fire And Damnation / Eagles Over Hellfest”. The second disc is an audio documentation of the show SAXON played at the legendary Hellfest in France in 2024. And the set list of this night was nearly legendary. With ‘Hell, Fire And Damnation’ and ‘Madame Guillotine’ we find two songs from the newest album. But the other 12 songs are more or less a “Best of SAXON” from their early years from 1980 to 1984, played by a band that enjoyed the show and gave more than their best to please the crowd. ‘Motorcycle Man’, ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’, ‘Dallas 1 PM’, ‘Wheels Of Steel’, ‘Crusader’, ‘Princess Of The Night’ – you will hardly find better songs from the NWOBHM era! The sound of “Eagles Over Hellfest” is absolutely authentic, not too polished but still damn good, making the live album a real pleasure for old geezers and newbies as well. In case you’re only interested in the live album, you might be pleased to read that “Eagles Over Hellfest” will be available as a separate album at least digital and on vinyl. In the end, I’d like to give you some links that might helpful: www.facebook.com/saxonofficial, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063877787046