NWOBHM legends SAXON have confirmed they are recording their twenty-fifth studio album, targeted for a late 2026 release. The British heavy metal stalwarts entered the studio in December 2025, with renowned producer and guitarist Andy Sneap once again handling production and mixing duties. Sneap, who has worked with the band since 2011's "Call To Arms," has been instrumental in shaping SAXON's modern sound while preserving the classic heavy metal identity that made them icons of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal alongside IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD and DIAMOND HEAD.
Perhaps more importantly for fans, frontman Biff Byford has shared encouraging health updates that cast a bright light over the recording sessions. Byford revealed that his CT scan came back clear six months after his cancer operation, which had forced the cancellation of multiple 2025 summer shows and caused widespread concern among the SAXON faithful. "Everything is clear, nothing returning," Byford stated in a heartfelt video message to fans, visibly emotional as he shared the news. The 73-year-old vocalist had previously undergone emergency surgery in mid-2025 and subsequently disclosed his cancer diagnosis publicly.
The album follows 2023's critically acclaimed "Hell, Fire And Damnation," which was widely praised as one of the band's strongest efforts in recent memory and proved that SAXON remained a creative force nearly five decades into their career. The current lineup — Byford, guitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt, bassist Nibbs Carter and drummer Nigel Glockler — has been remarkably stable and continues to deliver both on record and on stage.
SAXON's European summer festival dates remain confirmed while the new material takes shape, ensuring fans will see the band performing live throughout 2026 ahead of the album's expected autumn release.