Heavy Metal Thunder (Saxon album)

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Heavy Metal Thunder is a greatest hits album by heavy metal band Saxon, released in 2002. The album features eight re-recorded tracks from the limited edition of Killing Ground, as well as five other tracks. These tracks originally appeared 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.

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 & the Glory)	5:59
4.	"And the Bands Played On" (from Denim and 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 and 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 and Leather)	3:37
12.	"Denim and Leather" (from Denim and Leather)	5:21
13.	"Backs to the Wall" (from Saxon)	3:07

Disc 2

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Broken Heroes" (live)	4:10
2.	"Dragon's Lair" (live)	6:38
3.	"The Eagle Has Landed" (live)	5:52
4.	"20,000 Ft." (live)	3:45
5.	"Crusader" (live)	4:24
6.	"Killing Ground" (Music Video)

Lyrical concepts

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 the death of the age of steam, written by Byford after watching trains at Denby Dale railway station.
4. "Wheels of Steel" is about the band's '68 Chevy they used to drive to each show in (see Strong Arm of the Law for another track that involves said car).
5. "Denim and Leather" is about the evolution of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal; the title a nod to the attire worn by Saxon's fans.
6. "Never Surrender" is about determination.
7. "And the Bands Played On" is about the inaugural Monsters of Rock festival.
8. "Power and the Glory" is about the power and the glory of battle.
9. "Motorcycle Man" is about a man owning a motorcycle.
10. "Backs to the Wall" is about loitering.

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