Saxon

British heavy metal legend Saxon is returning to Prague, where they will present their new album, *Gods of Thunder*. The album will be released on January 22, 2027, by Silver Lining Music and follows up on their 2024 album *Hell, Fire and Damnation*. Saxon is one of the most influential bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which fundamentally shaped the genre at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s. The band was formed in 1977 in Barnsley, England, and has sold more than 13 million albums throughout its career. Its straightforward sound, Biff Byford’s distinctive voice, powerful riffs, and high-energy concerts have made it a fixture on the global metal scene. Their musical legacy is further cemented by their long-standing concert career and the respect they’ve earned among fans and fellow musicians alike. In 2019, they were inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame, and even after nearly fifty years on the scene, they haven’t lost their passion for releasing new music and performing live.

It was at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s that Saxon left an indelible mark on the history of heavy metal. The 1980 albums *Wheels of Steel* and *Strong Arm of the Law*, followed by *Denim and Leather*, became cornerstones of the British metal scene and produced hits that still get fans out of their seats today. Songs like “Wheels of Steel,” “747 (Strangers in the Night),” and “Princess of the Night” embody honest and uncompromising heavy metal. Saxon were also among the pioneers of the legendary Monsters of Rock festival in Donington, where they performed as early as its premiere in 1980. Two years later, they made history as the first band to return to the festival for a second time.