British heavy metal legends SAXON have completed mixing their 25th studio album with producer Andy Sneap, marking yet another milestone in one of heavy metal's longest and most prolific careers. Frontman Biff Byford released a video message confirming the album is finished and mixed, with more details expected over the coming months. The follow-up to 2024's acclaimed "Hell, Fire And Damnation" is tentatively due in late 2026.
Byford also shared enormously positive health news: his CT scan came back clear following his cancer operation, with "everything clear" in his ongoing battle. The veteran frontman had been diagnosed with cancer in 2025, news that sent shockwaves through the NWOBHM community. His willingness to continue working through treatment and his positive outlook have inspired fans and fellow musicians alike. At 73, Byford remains one of heavy metal's most charismatic and dedicated frontmen, his gravel-and-thunder voice showing no signs of diminishing.
Andy Sneap's involvement as producer continues a fruitful partnership that has reinvigorated SAXON's studio output in recent years. Sneap, who is also JUDAS PRIEST's touring guitarist, brings a modern sonic clarity to SAXON's classic heavy metal sound without sacrificing the raw power and energy that have defined the band since their formation in Barnsley, South Yorkshire in 1977.
SAXON's longevity is remarkable even by heavy metal's standards. From their early NWOBHM anthems like "Wheels of Steel," "747 (Strangers in the Night)," and "Denim and Leather" through their recent creative resurgence, Byford and company have maintained a level of quality and commitment that few bands can match. DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler has been recruited as a permanent member for upcoming live shows, adding another NWOBHM legend to the lineup and strengthening the band's guitar attack. The announcement that a 25th studio album is complete is a testament to SAXON's seemingly inexhaustible creative drive.