Saxon have officially confirmed that their upcoming studio album will be titled Gods Of Thunder and is scheduled for release on January 22, 2027. The announcement came from guitarist Brian Tatler, who revealed the album's title during the Maid Of Stone Festival at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, confirming the follow-up to Hell, Fire And Damnation (2024).
The title confirmation follows the band's recent announcement of the first U.K. and Ireland leg of the Gods Of Thunder World Tour, which will also mark the return of one of the most iconic stage props in heavy metal history: Saxon's legendary 30-foot mechanized Eagle.
Originally built in the early 1980s for the Denim And Leather tour, the Eagle will once again soar above audiences throughout the U.K. and Ireland—except in Cardiff, where venue restrictions prevent its use. Fans can also expect the return of the band's celebrated Castles & Eagles stage production.
Frontman Biff Byford had already revealed during a recent appearance on France's Last Ride podcast that the album will arrive on January 22, 2027, while confirming that the first single will be released in September 2026, accompanied by a music video and a special 7-inch vinyl edition. Album pre-orders will also begin that month.
The record will become Saxon's 25th studio album and follows Hell, Fire And Damnation, released in January 2024 through Silver Lining Music.
Earlier this year, Biff Byford confirmed that longtime producer Andy Sneap, known for his work with Judas Priest, Accept and Exodus, had completed mixing the album, continuing the successful partnership behind the band's previous release.
The songwriting process began during 2025, with contributions from Doug Scarratt, Nigel Glockler, Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford, while recording sessions started after the band wrapped up its touring schedule later that year.
The album also marks another milestone in Byford's career following a challenging period of health issues. During 2025 he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, underwent surgery and later received chemotherapy, forcing Saxon to cancel and postpone several live performances before successfully completing treatment.
In recent years, the singer also underwent surgery for atrial flutter in 2024 and previously survived a heart attack that required emergency triple bypass surgery in 2019.
