TWO HEAVY METAL POWERHOUSES. ELEVEN SHOWS. ONE ABSOLUTELY MONSTROUS TOUR!
British heavy metal legends SAXON have officially announced that American metal veterans ARMORED SAINT will join them as special guests for their upcoming Gods Of Thunder World Tour Part 1, which storms across the UK and Ireland in February 2027.
And this isn’t just a cheeky appearance at a couple of dates.
ARMORED SAINT will be joining SAXON at ALL ELEVEN SHOWS! 🤘🔥
The tour kicks off in Wolverhampton on Saturday 13 February 2027, before tearing through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England, with a very welcome stop in Cardiff, Wales, on Tuesday 23 February. 🐉
The heavy metal celebrations conclude at London’s legendary Eventim Apollo on Saturday 27 February.
With SAXON preparing to unleash their 25th studio album, Gods Of Thunder, and ARMORED SAINT bringing decades of American metal firepower, this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting traditional heavy metal touring packages of early 2027.
And that’s before we even mention the return of SAXON’s enormous mechanical eagle!
⚡ SAXON – The Gods Of Thunder Are Coming!
Few bands have done more to shape British heavy metal than SAXON.
Formed in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in 1977, the band became one of the defining forces of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement.
Alongside bands such as Iron Maiden and Diamond Head, SAXON helped establish the thunderous guitar-driven sound that would influence generations of metal musicians.
Their catalogue is absolutely packed with classics, including:
- Wheels Of Steel
- 747 (Strangers In The Night)
- Denim And Leather
- Princess Of The Night
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- Strong Arm Of The Law
- Crusader
- Motorcycle Man
- And The Bands Played On
- Power And The Glory
These aren’t simply old heavy metal songs.
They’re part of the foundations on which an entire genre was built.
And nearly five decades into their career, SAXON are still recording new material, touring internationally and proving that proper heavy metal never goes out of fashion.
🤘 ARMORED SAINT Confirmed For All 11 Shows
The biggest new announcement is the addition of ARMORED SAINT as special guests.
The Los Angeles heavy metal veterans have been delivering powerful riffs, soaring vocals and uncompromising metal since the early 1980s.
Fronted by the unmistakable John Bush, ARMORED SAINT have built a fiercely loyal following through decades of critically acclaimed albums and energetic live performances.
For traditional heavy metal fans, the pairing of SAXON and ARMORED SAINT is something rather special.
Both bands emerged during heavy metal’s formative years.
Both have remained committed to their musical identity.
And both know exactly how to deliver a proper, no-nonsense metal show.
No gimmicks required.
Just amplifiers, guitars and enough riffs to rattle the fillings out of your teeth.
Although, admittedly, SAXON are bringing a giant mechanical eagle.
So perhaps one enormous gimmick is allowed. 😂
📅 SAXON & ARMORED SAINT – UK & Ireland Tour Dates 2027
Gods Of Thunder World Tour Part 1
FEBRUARY 2027 – ALL 11 CONFIRMED SHOWS
Date
City
Venue
Sat 13 February
Wolverhampton
Civic Hall
Sun 14 February
Glasgow
O2 Academy
Tue 16 February
Belfast
Telegraph Building
Wed 17 February
Dublin
3Olympia Theatre
Fri 19 February
Manchester
O2 Apollo
Sat 20 February
Newcastle
O2 City Hall
Sun 21 February
Sheffield
Sheffield City Hall
Tue 23 February
Cardiff, Wales 🐉
The Great Hall
Wed 24 February
Bristol
Bristol Beacon
Thu 25 February
Southampton
O2 Guildhall
Sat 27 February
London
Eventim Apollo
Special guests at every show: ARMORED SAINT.
Eleven nights of classic heavy metal, stretching from the West Midlands to Scotland, across the Irish Sea and back through England and Wales.
And with the tour running across just two weeks, there won’t be much time for either band to catch their breath!
🐉 WALES! SAXON ARE COMING TO CARDIFF!
Now this is the announcement we love seeing at The Riff Report!
SAXON and ARMORED SAINT will bring the Gods Of Thunder Tour to Cardiff on Tuesday 23 February 2027.
Venue: The Great Hall, Cardiff University Students’ Union
For Welsh metalheads, this is a cracking opportunity to experience two legendary heavy metal bands on the same bill.
Cardiff has a long-standing reputation for welcoming heavy music, and The Great Hall should provide an intense atmosphere for this particular pairing.
There’s something brilliant about experiencing a band like SAXON in a venue where the audience can get properly involved.
When those opening riffs hit and Biff Byford launches into one of the band’s classic anthems, expect plenty of fists in the air.
And with ARMORED SAINT warming everybody up beforehand, the atmosphere should already be absolutely electric.
Cymru, get those battle jackets ready! 🐉🤘
🦅 SAXON’s Legendary Mechanical Eagle Returns!
As if the announcement of ARMORED SAINT wasn’t enough, SAXON have another massive surprise planned.
Their legendary 30-foot mechanical eagle is returning for the Gods Of Thunder tour!
Originally created during the band’s early-1980s rise, the enormous stage prop became one of SAXON’s most recognisable visual trademarks.
The eagle was closely associated with the band’s classic arena performances and helped inspire the title of their celebrated 1982 live album, The Eagle Has Landed.
For longtime fans, seeing the eagle return will be a huge nostalgia moment.
For younger fans who never witnessed the original production, it’ll be an opportunity to experience a piece of heavy metal history.
⚠️ One Important Detail For Cardiff Fans
Unfortunately, the enormous eagle will not appear at the Cardiff show because of venue restrictions.
The production is planned for the other ten UK and Ireland performances.
It’s disappointing news for Welsh fans hoping to see the famous stage prop in all its glory, but the Cardiff concert will still feature SAXON and ARMORED SAINT.
And let’s be fair.
When you’ve got two bands of this calibre on the same bill, the music should be more than enough to bring the house down.
🏰 The Return Of The Castles & Eagles Production
The eagle isn’t the only piece of SAXON history being revived.
The band are also bringing back their celebrated Castles & Eagles stage production.
This ambitious stage concept draws on the band’s classic heavy metal imagery, combining theatrical presentation with the thunderous live performances that made SAXON famous.
For longtime fans, it promises a welcome return to the visual spectacle of the band’s earlier arena years.
And for anyone discovering SAXON live for the first time, this could be a fantastic introduction to one of Britain’s most enduring metal institutions.
💿 SAXON Prepare To Release 25th Studio Album ‘Gods Of Thunder’
The tour arrives shortly after the scheduled release of SAXON’s new album, Gods Of Thunder, on Friday 22 January 2027 through Silver Lining Music.
The record will mark the band’s 25th studio album.
Twenty-five!
Most bands would be delighted to release five records before disappearing into the great rehearsal room in the sky.
SAXON are preparing number twenty-five.
The album has been produced by frontman Biff Byford, with mixing handled by renowned metal producer Andy Sneap.
The record promises another helping of powerful riffs, historical storytelling and the traditional heavy metal sound that has defined SAXON’s career.
With songs including ‘The Bloody Tower (The Ballad Of Anne Boleyn)’, ‘Medusa’, ‘Remember The Alamo’ and ‘Temple Of Rock’, the album looks set to continue Byford’s fascination with history, mythology and larger-than-life storytelling.
The February concerts will give fans the opportunity to hear material from the new album alongside the band’s established classics.
And considering the sheer size of SAXON’s back catalogue, putting together a setlist must be an absolute nightmare.
A very good nightmare, admittedly.
🔥 Who Are ARMORED SAINT?
For anyone unfamiliar with the special guests, ARMORED SAINT are far more than your average support band.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1982, the group became an important part of the American heavy metal scene during the genre’s explosive growth.
While many Californian bands were embracing glam metal and commercial hard rock, ARMORED SAINT developed a tougher, more traditional sound built around powerful vocals, intricate guitar work and muscular rhythms.
Their early releases helped establish them as one of America’s most respected underground metal acts.
🎤 John Bush – One Of Heavy Metal’s Great Voices
At the centre of ARMORED SAINT is vocalist John Bush.
Known for his distinctive, powerful singing style, Bush is also famous for his time fronting thrash metal legends ANTHRAX during the 1990s and early 2000s.
His voice combines raw aggression with melody, giving ARMORED SAINT a sound that stands apart from many of their contemporaries.
Whether delivering crushing heavy metal or more emotional material, Bush remains one of the genre’s most recognisable vocalists.
🎸 ARMORED SAINT Band Members
The band’s established line-up features:
- John Bush – Lead vocals
- Phil Sandoval – Guitar
- Jeff Duncan – Guitar
- Joey Vera – Bass
- Gonzo Sandoval – Drums
Bassist Joey Vera is also widely respected for his work with other heavy metal projects, including Fates Warning.
Together, the musicians have built a reputation for exceptional live performances and uncompromising musicianship.
💿 Essential ARMORED SAINT Albums
If you’re heading to the tour and want to get familiar with the support band, these albums are an excellent starting point.
March Of The Saint (1984)
The band’s debut studio album introduced their powerful combination of traditional heavy metal, melodic vocals and driving guitar riffs.
Delirious Nomad (1985)
A darker, more sophisticated release that demonstrated the band’s growing songwriting abilities.
Raising Fear (1987)
Another important chapter in the group’s early career, featuring their distinctive blend of American heavy metal and hard rock.
Symbol Of Salvation (1991)
Widely regarded as one of ARMORED SAINT’s finest albums, this release remains essential listening for fans of traditional metal.
Win Hands Down (2015)
A powerful modern-era album proving the band could still deliver exceptional material decades after their formation.
Punching The Sky (2020)
A critically acclaimed record featuring powerful production, memorable melodies and some of the band’s strongest recent songwriting.
Emotion Factory Reset (2026)
Released in May 2026 through Metal Blade Records, the band’s ninth studio album features tracks including ‘Close To The Bone’, ‘Hit A Moonshot’ and ‘Every Man-Any Man’.
The album gives ARMORED SAINT plenty of fresh material to bring to the UK and Ireland in February.
⚡ Two Generations Of Metal History Under One Roof
What makes this tour particularly exciting is the shared history between SAXON and ARMORED SAINT.
SAXON helped define the British heavy metal explosion of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
ARMORED SAINT emerged from America’s heavy metal underground during the following decade.
Both bands have influenced countless musicians.
Both have survived enormous changes in the music industry.
And both have continued releasing music long after many of their contemporaries called it a day.
Putting them together in 2027 feels like a celebration of everything that makes traditional heavy metal special.
The riffs. The musicianship. The passion. The community.
And, of course, the unmistakable sound of several thousand metalheads singing along at full volume.
🎟️ SAXON 2027 Tour Tickets
Tickets for the Gods Of Thunder World Tour Part 1 are on sale.
Fans can find ticket information through SAXON’s official website and authorised ticketing partners.
With ARMORED SAINT now confirmed for every performance, the announcement adds another compelling reason to secure tickets.
Particularly for fans who appreciate classic British and American heavy metal.
And remember, folks:
Get there early and support the support band!
When the support band happens to be ARMORED SAINT, you’ve got absolutely no excuse to spend their entire set standing in the bar.
🐉 The Riff Report Says…
Now THIS is a proper heavy metal touring announcement!
SAXON.
ARMORED SAINT.
Eleven UK and Ireland shows.
A brand-new SAXON album.
The return of the legendary mechanical eagle.
And a full-blown Castles & Eagles stage production.
What more could a metalhead possibly want?
Well, apart from the eagle making it to Cardiff.
We’re still a little gutted about that one. 😂🐉
But seriously, the addition of ARMORED SAINT transforms an already exciting tour into something particularly special.
These aren’t two bands simply cashing in on nostalgia.
They’re established heavy metal veterans who continue to record, tour and deliver the goods.
For Welsh fans, 23 February 2027 at Cardiff’s Great Hall is definitely a date worth circling on the calendar.
And across the rest of the UK and Ireland, audiences can look forward to a fantastic celebration of traditional heavy metal.
So dig out the battle jackets.
Polish those boots.
Get the horns ready.
Because SAXON and ARMORED SAINT are bringing the heavy metal thunder in February 2027! 🤘🔥🦅
Keep it loud. Keep it heavy. Keep supporting live music.
The Riff Report Blog — Music Journalism With Boots At The Barricade.
