Rattlesnakes Release Cover of Saxon's 'And The Bands Played On'

U.K. heavy metal band Rattlesnakes present a cover of “And The Bands Played On”, originally recorded by Saxon for their album “Denim and Leather” (1981), revisiting one of the defining anthems of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

The original track was inspired by Saxon’s performance at the first Monsters of Rock festival in 1980 at Donington Park, where the band encountered a massive and enthusiastic audience, cementing the song’s place within heavy metal history.

With this reinterpretation, Rattlesnakes maintain the core identity of the song while introducing their own emphasis on vocal harmonies and a modern production approach.

The band commented on their decision to revisit the track:
“This song created many memories for us… we wanted to honor Saxon while bringing it to a new generation of listeners.”

Beyond the release, Rattlesnakes continue working on material for their debut full-length album, building on the direction introduced in their EP “Deeper Shades of Torment” (2025).

Formed within the contemporary U.K. heavy metal scene, the band draw from traditional influences while maintaining a direct and energetic approach, positioning themselves within a new wave of artists inspired by classic heavy metal foundations.

DISCOGRAPHY
Deeper Shades of Torment — EP (2025)

LIVE DATE
May 3, 2026 — London, UK — Cart and Horses
w/ Struck A Nerve, Devastator

LINEUP
Rowena Neale — Vocals
Elliott Dryden — Bass
Joshua Brown — Guitar
George Charleston — Guitar
Nathan Gratton — Drums

With their version of “And The Bands Played On”, Rattlesnakes connect classic heavy metal heritage with a contemporary approach, reinforcing the continued influence of bands like Saxon across new generations.

Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist

Watch “And The Bands Played On” below: