SAXON Releases Lyric Video For 'They Played Rock And Roll' Song, Written About MOTÖRHEAD
The official lyric video for the song "They Played Rock And Roll" from British heavy metal legends SAXON can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's 22nd studio album, "Thunderbolt", which will be released on February 2 via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music). The follow-up to 2015's "Battering Ram" was once again helmed by producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, ACCEPT and TESTAMENT, among others. The disc will feature original artwork by longtime SAXON collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory.
"They Played Rock And Roll" was written about and dedicated to MOTÖRHEAD. SAXONsinger Biff Byford said that he gave the track that title because "that's what Lemmy used to say every night [from the stage]." He added: "It's basically about early MOTÖRHEAD — '79/'80 MOTÖRHEAD, like around 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', 'cause that's the tour we were on, that one. So, yeah, it's about the band, really, and their music."
According to Biff, "They Played Rock And Roll" is musically similar to Lemmy and Co. He explained: "I asked Nibbs [Carter, SAXON bassist] to write me some music that was like MOTÖRHEAD, and he did. So it sounds very MOTÖRHEAD-ish, but not MOTÖRHEAD, if you know what I mean."
Regarding the "Thunderbolt" album title, Byford said: "'Thunderbolt' is about Greek gods, so I read up on Greek mythology. There's not really that much. Homer had some writings… I made most of it up, but it's based on Zeus and Poseidon and Hades, so it's got a bit of good and a bit of evil in it, so it's pretty cool. Obviously Zeus's sign was a thunderbolt and his sign was an eagle holding a lightning bolt."
Like "Battering Ram", SAXON's new effort features Byford alongside Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt on guitar, Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler on drums.
"Thunderbolt" track listing:
01. Olympus Rising 02. Thunderbolt 03. The Secret Of Flight 04. Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz) 05. They Played Rock And Roll 06. Predator 07. Sons Of Odin 08. Sniper 09. A Wizard's Tale 10. Speed Merchants 11. Roadie's Song 12. Nosferatu (Raw Version) (not available on vinyl)
