SAXON have released "Medusa", the second single from their upcoming studio album Gods Of Thunder, which arrives on January 22, 2027 via Silver Lining Music. The official video is out now.
The song takes on the Gorgon of Greek myth, whose stare turned mortals to stone, and rides a tight, hypnotic riff at full gallop — classic SAXON heavy metal with Biff Byford out front. "A step into the world of Greek mythology," Byford says. "Epic metal, epic story! Enjoy."
As with the album's title track, the single artwork is by Peter Sallai. The band has also launched a competition to win a signed "Medusa"-themed guitar, alongside a run of dedicated merch.
Gods Of Thunder was produced by Byford and mixed by longtime SAXON collaborator Andy Sneap. Its ten songs lean hard on Byford's love of history: "The Bloody Tower (The Ballad Of Anne Boleyn)" retells the queen's execution, "Remember The Alamo" charges along in early-'80s NWOBHM style, "Temple Of Rock" puts the twin guitars of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler up front, and closer "MI5" goes back to the Berlin Wall and Cold War spycraft. "We had great fun making this album," says Biff. "This is gonna be one to beat!"
It follows Hell, Fire And Damnation (January 2024) and lands after a hard stretch for the singer, who completed chemotherapy for bowel cancer last October.
The "Gods Of Thunder" world tour starts with UK and Ireland dates in February 2027, with ARMORED SAINT as special guests, followed by a 17-date European leg in March, where the band's giant Eagle lighting rig returns for the Brussels, Zurich, Cologne and Tilburg shows. Byford, Scarratt and Tatler will also do a series of HMV in-store signings across the UK around release week.
SAXON are Biff Byford (vocals), Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler (guitars), Tim "Nibbs" Carter (bass) and Nigel Glockler (drums).