Predator

Album: Thunderbolt (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of the more menacing tracks from Saxon's 22nd album Thunderbolt, "Predator" makes it clear that when faced with this enemy, flight is better than flight:

    Keep to the shadows, stealth is your weapon
    Nothing survives its naked aggression
    There's no escape from the predator

    In a Songfacts interview with Saxon frontman Biff Byford, he said: "It's basically about the animals that are on top of the food chain, like a lion or a tiger, or a crocodile or a shark. A couple of people thought it was about the film Predator, but it's not. It's about whatever's at the top of the food chain in that particular environment."
  • The low, growling vocals on this track come courtesy of Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth. Biff Byford told Diane Webb of Yesterdaze News about the collaboration (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):

    "They're good friends of ours. We like the band. We met them when they first started touring way back, several years ago. We like the Viking rock. We feel like we're brothers-in-arms there. They're obviously a younger band than we are, but they grew up with Saxon in Sweden in the '80s, so they're big fans of Saxon, and we're big fans of theirs.

    When I wanted to do a lower voice on that song, I thought of Johan straight away. He was my first choice, and he did such a fantastic job. It sounds great. It's a little bit radical for us, but I don't like being predictable. I like taking a few chances with things like that, see if the fans like it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.