Gauntlet News

SAXON Soars Again: 'Gods Of Thunder' Tour Takes Flight

By Jason
Get ready for a thunderous return as SAXON announces their UK and Ireland leg of the epic world tour, featuring their iconic mechanized Eagle.

British heavy metal titans SAXON have set the metal world ablaze by announcing the first leg of their "Gods Of Thunder" world tour, covering the UK and Ireland. This tour promises to be a relentless onslaught of heavy riffs and theatrical splendor, with further international dates expected to drop like a bombshell in the coming months. And for the lucky fans who attend the shows, the legendary 30-foot mechanized Eagle will once again take to the skies, making its grand return—except for Cardiff, where venue restrictions have grounded the beast.

Originally unleashed in the early '80s as SAXON prepped for their iconic album "Denim And Leather," this mighty Eagle was crafted by the ingenious minds at Midlands-based LSD, using airport runway lights to achieve its awe-inspiring presence. The Eagle first roared to life during a rehearsal in London, quickly becoming a symbol of SAXON's unyielding spirit and a fan-favorite that has inspired countless requests for its return over the years.

As the Eagle looms over the crowd during SAXON's monumental arena tours, its legacy has only grown stronger, fueling the title of their legendary 1982 live album, "The Eagle Has Landed." Frontman Biff Byford is amped up for this tour, stating, "We wanted to make the 'Gods Of Thunder' U.K. and Ireland tour extra special. And what better way than to fly our beloved SAXON Eagle again... Get ready for take-off!"

The "Gods Of Thunder" world tour is set to kick off on February 13, 2025, at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, and will hit several iconic venues across the UK and Ireland, finishing at Eventim Apollo, London, on February 27. Tickets for this metal extravaganza will go on sale on June 26 at 9 a.m. via www.saxon747.com, so mark your calendars and prepare to snatch them up before they vanish!

In a recent exclusive with France's Last Ride podcast, Biff also dropped a bomb about SAXON's 25th studio album, revealing it will be unleashed on January 22, 2027. While details remain as elusive as a ghost, he hinted at early September for pre-orders and a first single—possibly on vinyl—set to arrive soon after. With the legendary Andy Sneap having wrapped up mixing duties, fans can expect another heavy-hitting record from these icons.