Saxon are an English heavy metal band formed in Barnsley, South Yorkshire in 1977. They are widely regarded as one of the leading bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), known for their anthemic songwriting, working-class themes, and powerful, riff-driven sound.
Alongside bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, Saxon helped define the early UK metal movement and became one of its most enduring and consistent acts.
Saxon’s sound is defined by strong, melodic guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and Biff Byford’s distinctive vocals. Their music often draws on themes of history, motorcycling culture, war, and working-class life.
The band are especially known for their straightforward, powerful songwriting and their influence on both traditional heavy metal and early speed metal.
Saxon (1979) – debut album introducing their raw, energetic NWOBHM sound.
Wheels of Steel (1980) – breakthrough release featuring classic tracks like "747 (Strangers in the Night)" and "Wheels of Steel".
Strong Arm of the Law (1980) – fast follow-up album cementing their status as NWOBHM leaders.
Denim and Leather (1981) – fan-favourite release celebrating heavy metal culture and unity.
Crusader (1984) – more polished, epic-sounding album with a grander production style.
Carpe Diem (2022) – modern-era release showing the band’s continued relevance with strong songwriting and heavy riffs.
Saxon are considered one of the most important and consistent NWOBHM bands, influencing generations of heavy metal, speed metal, and power metal artists.
Fans of artists such as Accept, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest are likely to appreciate Saxon’s anthemic, riff-driven heavy metal style.
All Saxon releases we carry are official physical formats only, focusing on vinyl and CD editions sourced from authorised labels and distributors.
We also stock official Saxon clothing and accessories, representing one of the most iconic names in British heavy metal history.
Saxon are a massive part of the Heavy Metal scene, so if you fancy exploring more like-minded artists, have a look through our HEAVY METAL CATEGORY. You might also like to read our blog on the different subgenres of Metal \m/
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