SAXON Announces March 2027 European Leg Of 'Gods Of Thunder' Tour

British heavy metal legends SAXON have announced the second European leg of the "Gods Of Thunder" world tour. Adding to the excitement, SAXON will revive its legendary 30-foot mechanized Eagle for fans attending the Brussels, Zurich, Cologne and Tilburg dates.

Originally constructed in the early 1980s as SAXON prepared to tour the band's seminal album "Denim And Leather", the iconic Eagle was built by Midlands-based company LSD using airport runway landing lights.

Comments SAXON frontman Biff Byford: "We're bringing the 'Gods Of Thunder' tour across to Europe. It's gonna be awesome! Can't wait to open the heavens and bring on the metal."

Tickets will be available to purchase as of Tuesday, October 27 for Italian shows, Wednesday, October 28 for Zurich, Thursday, October 29 for Oslo and Friday, October 30 for all other shows.

Tour dates:

March 01 - Ancienne Belgique Bruxelles, Belgium *
March 03 - Grosse Freiheit 36 Hamburg, Germany
March 05 - Amager Bio København, Denmark
March 06 - House Of Culture Helsinki, Finland
March 08 - Sentrum Scene Oslo, Norway
March 10 - Central Erfurt | B2B Erfurt, Germany
March 11 - Archa+ Praha, Czechia
March 12 - Barba Negra Budapest, Hungary
March 14 - Löwensaal Nuremberg, Germany
March 16 - Im Wizemann Stuttgart, Germany
March 17 - Volkshaus Zürich, Switzerland *
March 18 - Alcatraz Milano, Italy
March 19 - Viper Theatre Firenze, Italy
March 20 - Kesselhaus München, Germany
March 22 - Huxleys Neue Welt Berlin, Germany
March 23 - E-Werk Köln, Germany *
March 24 - Poppodium 013 Tilburg, Netherlands *

* with Castles & Eagles production

SAXON's new album, "Gods Of Thunder", is set for release via Silver Lining Music on January 22, 2027.

Produced by Byford and mixed by longtime SAXON producer and JUDAS PRIEST touring guitarist Andy Sneap, "Gods Of Thunder" captures the band at the height of their powers, combining forceful performances with vivid, meticulously crafted storytelling. Pounding bass and drums, searing guitars and Byford's unmistakable voice combine to create a sonic barrage of pure British metal, carrying the spirit of the past, present and future. The album sees one of the world's greatest live bands bring their legendary power and energy into the studio, delivering a metal masterpiece worthy of SAXON's enduring legacy. Each track is built around the weight, dynamics and intricate arrangements that have long defined SAXON's music, while the album as a whole maintains a strong sense of focus and purpose.

"We had great fun making this album," says Biff. "This is gonna be one to beat!"

Byford's longstanding passion for history is central to the album, with his distinctive storytelling bringing characters and events from the past vividly to life across ten powerful, quintessential SAXON songs. On "The Bloody Tower (The Ballad Of Anne Boleyn)", Byford recounts the politically charged execution of Anne Boleyn, while in "Medusa" the focus shifts to myth, driven by a taut, mesmeric riff and delivered at a relentless pace. "Remember The Alamo" charges forward with the fast-paced energy and spirit of early '80s NWOBHM. The twin-guitar attack of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler is particularly prominent on "Temple Of Rock", underpinned by the rock-solid rhythm section of Nigel Glocker and Tim "Nibbs" Carter. The album closes with "MI5", a timeless headbanger that brings together themes of the Berlin Wall and Cold War espionage.

"Gods Of Thunder" will be available on a range of vinyl variants, CD, exclusive bundles and digital formats.

SAXON's upcoming LP will be the follow-up to "Hell, Fire And Damnation", which came out in January 2024 via Silver Lining Music.

Last October, Byford shared a video update in which he said he had completed the final round of chemotherapy in his fight against bowel cancer.

Although Biff released a video message in August 2025 in which he implied that he underwent an operation to remove "a small tumor" from his "prostate gland", he later clarified that he was actually diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is cancer that is found anywhere in the large bowel, including the colon and rectum. Byford was later treated with chemotherapy for "a short period", resulting in the cancelation of a couple of shows and the postponement of several others.

Earlier in 2025, SAXON announced the cancelation of 10 summer shows and festival appearances while Byford was recovering from the cancer surgery.

In August 2024, Biff underwent a "procedure" to treat atrial flutter, a type of heart rhythm abnormality, or arrhythmia, that causes the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat too quickly.

In September 2019, Biff suffered a heart attack and underwent an emergency triple bypass surgery.

"Hell, Fire And Damnation" was produced by Sneap and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering.

In early 2023, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road and in the studio by DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler.

Brian has been touring with Doug, Nigel, Nibbs and Biff since mid-2023, but continues to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.

Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".

SAXON 2026 is:

Biff Byford - Vocals
Nigel Glockler - Drums
Doug Scarratt - Guitar
Brian Tatler - Guitar
Tim "Nibbs" Carter - Bass

Photo credit: Pep Bonet