Biff Byford Unveils Release Date for New SAXON Album; First Single Drops September 2026

In an electrifying revelation during a recent interview with France's Last Ride podcast, Biff Byford, the iconic vocalist of British heavy metal stalwarts SAXON, has confirmed the release date for the band’s 25th studio album. Mark your calendars for January 22, 2027, as the legendary band prepares to unleash their latest sonic assault. In an exclusive announcement, Byford disclosed, "We can tell you that the album is coming out on the 22 of January. Nobody knows that. You're the first person we've told. And you're gonna be able to order the album early September. The first single—video and single—will also arrive in September."

This forthcoming LP will serve as the follow-up to 2024's Hell, Fire And Damnation, which was released via Silver Lining Music. Earlier this year, Byford revealed that longtime SAXON producer and current JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Andy Sneap had completed the mixing process for the album.

Last July, Byford shared insights into the songwriting process during a chat with Riff X's Metal XS, stating, “We’ve started writing the next album. I’m doing lyrics now, and I’ve got a lot of ideas coming from Doug Scarratt, Nigel Glockler, and Nibbs Carter.” Byford was optimistic, noting, “I’ve got quite a lot of ideas, which I’m compiling at home in my studio.”

Fast forward to April 2025, Biff mentioned to Uruguay’s The Dark Melody that he and his bandmates had been diligently writing new music for “about six or seven weeks now.” He expressed enthusiasm about their progress, indicating they were gearing up to start recording in November 2025 after wrapping up their touring commitments.

In a personal update, Byford, who bravely battled bowel cancer and recently completed chemotherapy, had to cancel several shows during his treatment. Despite these challenges, he remains resolute, stating, “We’re pretty much on it. We’re working towards the new album. It’s going well.”

It's been a tumultuous journey for Byford, who underwent heart surgery in 2019 and additional procedures in 2024 to treat heart rhythm issues. The tenacity of the SAXON frontman is matched only by the band's legacy; with over 23 million albums sold and classic tracks like “Denim And Leather” and “Wheels Of Steel,” SAXON has solidified their status as heavy metal royalty.

As SAXON prepares to forge ahead, fans can expect this new album to continue their rich tradition of powerful, anthemic metal for which they are renowned.