When Brian Tatler received the call to join Saxon in early 2023, he was stepping into big shoes.
The longtime Diamond Head guitarist was asked to replace founding member Paul Quinn — a move that could have easily felt daunting. But instead, Tatler describes the transition as a rewarding surprise.
“It’s been brilliant. I got the call in March 2023, and so it’s been just over two years. And it’s been fantastic,” he told PowerOfMetal.cl in a recent interview.
“We’ve done a lot of gigs — we’ve been to South America, we’ve been to the U.S. and all across Europe — and we’ve done the album, 2024’s Hell, Fire And Damnation, as well, and played some huge festivals, like France’s Hellfest. And it’s going great. So, I’m really enjoying myself. It’s a lovely break to get at my age.”
Tatler’s tone is relaxed, even humble, about what has clearly been a significant chapter in his career. While known for his role in shaping the New Wave of British Heavy Metal through Diamond Head, his contributions to Hell, Fire And Damnation showcase a musician still evolving. He’s not just filling in — he’s actively shaping the band’s sound.
Reflecting on the album, Tatler is both proud and candid: “I like it. It’s a great album. I’m really proud to be part of the Saxon album and to get involved in the writing. And I think it sounds great.”
Part of that sound can be credited to producer Andy Sneap, whose name is synonymous with modern metal production. Although their paths had crossed before, Tatler had never worked with Sneap in the studio.
“I’d never worked with producer Andy Sneap before, even though I knew of him and we’ve done gigs in the past with his former band Sabbat, and I know he was in Hell. And then, of course, when he joined Judas Priest, I contacted him and congratulated him. So I do know Andy, but I’d never actually recorded with him. And I was very impressed. I thought he did a fantastic job, and I think the album sounds amazing.”
More than just a performer, Tatler’s voice is also part of the songwriting process — something he was brought into quite early.
“Well, as soon as I joined, I started learning the Saxon material — they sent me a setlist, which I started learning, but maybe after a month or so, Biff called and said, ‘We are doing a new album, so if you’ve got any ideas, send them over.’ And so I did just that, and he picked some that he liked, and then we worked on them together, and then eventually rehearsed with the band and earmarked the ones for the album. So, yeah, it was really flattering to be included in the writing so quickly.”
That quick inclusion speaks volumes about the chemistry within the current lineup — and perhaps why fans are seeing a revitalized energy on stage and on record. Looking ahead, Tatler is already sketching the outlines of what could come next.
“Both. I’m always trying to write new material, and I make demos when I’m at home. And even when I’m on tour, I practice and warm up before a show. And if I’ve got a riff, I’ll record it on my phone, like probably a lot of people do. And there is talk of doing another Saxon album. I think Biff mentioned it’ll be next year, of course — probably end of next year. But at some point, maybe in the gaps of touring, we’ll get together and try and come up with material for the next record.”
Be it if you’re a follower of Saxon, or keeping up with Tatler’s story from his Diamond Head days, the narrative is far from completion. In fact, it is in a captivating new phase — one riff at a time.
