Saxon have released Medusa, the second song from Gods Of Thunder, which Silver Lining Music puts out on 22 January.
Biff Byford keeps the pitch short. "A step into the world of Greek mythology, Medusa, a god who could turn you to stone with a glance," he says. "Epic metal, epic story." Peter Sallai painted the single sleeve, as he did the last one, and the band have put a guitar built around the same image into a competition.
The announcement carries more than a song. Armored Saint take the support slot for the UK and Ireland leg of the Gods Of Thunder tour next year, which puts two bands who started within a year of each other on the same stage for a run of British shows.
More European dates went up with it. Brussels, Zurich, Cologne and Tilburg get the Castles and Eagles production, which means the eagle comes back: nine metres wide, twelve across once the wings are out, hanging over the band with its landing lights on.
Byford produced the album and Andy Sneap mixed it, which is the arrangement Saxon have used for years now. Byford, Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler will sign copies in HMV shops around the country when it lands.