Heavy Metal Thunder (Saxon album)

Untitled

Heavy Metal Thunder is a greatest hits album by heavy metal band Saxon, released in 2002 (see 2002 in music). The album features eight re-recorded tracks from the limited edition of Killing Ground, as well as five other tracks. These tracks originally apperar on their first six albums, from their self-titled debut to Crusader.

A limited edition bonus disc, featuring five live tracks from a 2002 show in San Antonio, Texas, as well as the music video for Killing Ground recorded during Wacken Open Air 2001.

The Title could be a reference to the Steppenwolf song "Born to be Wild" as it contained the lyrics and the album has a few songs on motorcycles which is what the Steppenwolf song referred to.

Track listing

Disc 1

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Heavy Metal Thunder (from Strong Arm of the Law)"	4:13
2.	"Strong Arm of the Law (from Strong Arm of the Law)"	4:25
3.	"Power and the Glory (from Power and the Glory)"	5:59
4.	"And the Bands Played On (from Denim & Leather)"	2:53
5.	"Crusader (from Crusader)"	6:40
6.	"Dallas 1 PM (from Strong Arm of the Law)"	6:18
7.	"Princess of the Night (from Denim & Leather)"	4:11
8.	"Wheels of Steel (from Wheels of Steel)"	5:54
9.	"747 (Strangers in the Night) (from Wheels of Steel)"	5:02
10.	"Motorcycle Man (from Wheels of Steel)"	3:47
11.	"Never Surrender (from Denim & Leather)"	3:37
12.	"Denim and Leather (from Denim & Leather)"	5:21
13.	"Backs to the Wall (from Saxon)"	3:07

Disc 2

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Broken Heroes (original version on Innocence Is No Excuse)"	4:10
2.	"Dragon's Lair (original version on Killing Ground)"	6:38
3.	"The Eagle Has Landed (original version on Power and Glory)"	5:52
4.	"20,000 Ft. (original version on Strong Arm of the Law)"	3:45
5.	"Crusader (original version on Crusader)"	4:24
6.	"Killing Ground (original version on Killing Ground)" (Music Video)

Lyric Concept

1. "Crusader" is about the warriors of the Crusades.
2. "Dallas 1 PM" is about the assassination of John Kennedy.
3. "Princess of the Night" is about a train.
4. "Wheels of Steel" is about motorcycles.
5. "Denim and Leather" is about the heavy metal way of life.
6. "Never Surrender" is about determination.

Personnel

• Biff Byford - Vocals
• Paul Quinn - Guitar
• Doug Scarratt - Guitar
• Nibbs Carter - Bass
• Fritz Randow - Drums

Production

• Produced by Biff Byford & Saxon
• Recorded at Karo Studios Brackel, Germany
• Engineered by Nikolo Kotzev & Charlie Bauerfeind
• Executive Producer: Rainer Hansel
• Mixed by Herman Frank & Rainer Hansel
• Mastered by Rainer Holst at Staccato Studios Hannover, Germany
• Cover Design: Paul R. Gregory