Saxon announce the release of new album Thunderbolt

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Saxon will launch their 22nd studio album Thunderbolt in February - UK and European tour dates announced

Saxon
Saxon

Saxon have announced that they’ll release their 22nd studio album Thunderbolt early next year.

The follow-up to 2015’s Battering Ram will arrive on February 2 via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music).

Frontman Biff Byford says: “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!”

Saxon have also revealed the first UK and European dates on what will be a world tour in support of Thunderbolt. They’ll be joined on the road by Diamond Head and Rock Goddess. Magnum will be Saxon’s special guests at their show in Hull on February 25, with further dates to be revealed in 2018.

Byford adds: “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 gonna 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.”

Presale for all shows is on November 8 at 10am with general sale on November 10 at 10am.

Thunderbolt will be available for pre-order from December 1. Find the cover art and tracklist below, along with Saxon’s confirmed tour dates.

Saxon Thunderbolt tracklist

  1. Olympus Rising
  2. Thunderbolt
  3. The Secret Of Flight
  4. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)
  5. They Played Rock and Roll
  6. Predator
  7. Sons Of Odin
  8. Sniper
  9. A Wizard’s Tale
  10. Speed Merchants
  11. Roadie’s Song
  12. Nosferatu - RawVersion (Not available on vinyl)

Saxon Thunderbolt 2018 UK and European tour dates

Feb 23: Cardiff University, UK
Feb 24: Cambridge Corn Exchange, UK
Feb 25: Hull City Hall, UK
Feb 27: Tilburg 013, Netherlands
Feb 28: Saarbruecken Garage, Germany
Mar 01: Hannover Capitol, Germany
Mar 02: Frankfurt Batschkapp, Germany
Mar 03: Dresden Schlachthof, Germany

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.