Heavy metal fans, prepare for take-off because British metal legends Saxon have just announced something absolutely massive.
Not only are the veterans of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal heading back out on the road for the UK and Ireland leg of their brand-new Gods of Thunder World Tour, but they’re also bringing back one of the most iconic stage props in rock history…
THE EAGLE IS RETURNING! π¦ β‘
And honestly, butt, this might be one of the most exciting pieces of touring news we’ve heard all year.
π€ A TRUE HEAVY METAL ICON TAKES FLIGHT AGAIN
For decades, Saxon’s gigantic mechanised Eagle has been one of the most recognisable sights in rock and metal.
Towering over stages and crowds alike, the enormous 30-foot metal bird became synonymous with the band during their arena-filling heyday in the early 1980s.
Now, for the first time in years, the Eagle is making its triumphant return as part of the band’s spectacular Castles & Eagles production.
Every UK and Ireland show on the upcoming tour will feature the Eagle, with one unfortunate exception.
Due to venue restrictions, the Cardiff show at The Great Hall will be unable to accommodate the giant bird.
Sorry South Wales, mun. We’ll just have to imagine it soaring over the Valleys instead. π¦ π΄
πΈ THE STORY BEHIND THE EAGLE
The Eagle’s history is almost as legendary as Saxon themselves.
Originally built during preparations for the band’s classic Denim and Leather tour in the early 1980s, the creation was designed by Midlands-based company LSD using airport runway landing lights.
Yes, actual runway lights.
Because if you’re going to build a giant mechanical eagle, you might as well do it properly.
The massive prop made its debut during a London rehearsal before becoming a permanent fixture of Saxon’s huge arena tours.
Fans instantly fell in love with it.
The Eagle became so closely associated with the band that it inspired the title of their iconic live album The Eagle Has Landed, released in 1982 and still regarded as one of the greatest live heavy metal albums ever recorded.
Ever since then, fans have constantly asked one question:
“When is the Eagle coming back?”
Well, now we have the answer.
π€ BIFF BYFORD: “GET READY FOR TAKE-OFF!”
Frontman and founding member Biff Byford couldn’t hide his excitement when discussing the band’s plans.
“We wanted to make the Gods of Thunder UK & Ireland tour extra special. And what better way than to fly our beloved Saxon Eagle again… Get ready for take-off!”
And if anyone can still get an arena crowd fired up after nearly five decades in the business, it’s Biff.
π₯ NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN
What’s truly remarkable about Saxon is that while many of their peers are winding down, retiring, or embarking on farewell tours, Saxon continue charging forward at full speed.
The band are currently preparing for the release of their 25th studio album, which is expected to arrive in early 2027 through Silver Lining Music.
Twenty-five albums.
Let that sink in for a moment.
While younger bands are still trying to find their footing, Saxon are out here announcing world tours, releasing new music and wheeling out giant mechanical birds.
Absolutely brilliant.
π GODS OF THUNDER WORLD TOUR β UK & IRELAND 2027
Get those calendars marked, butt.
February 2027
π Wolverhampton β Civic Hall β 13 February
π Glasgow β O2 Academy β 14 February
π Belfast β Telegraph Building β 16 February
π Dublin β 3Olympia Theatre β 17 February
π Manchester β O2 Apollo β 19 February
π Newcastle β O2 City Hall β 20 February
π Sheffield β City Hall β 21 February
π Cardiff β The Great Hall β 23 February
π Bristol β Beacon β 24 February
π Southampton β O2 Guildhall β 25 February
π London β Eventim Apollo β 27 February
ποΈ TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for all dates go on sale:
ποΈ Friday 26 June 2026
β° 9:00am
Given Saxon’s loyal fanbase and the return of the Eagle, we’d recommend getting in there sharpish.
You do not want to be the person reading social media the next day muttering “I should’ve bought tickets.”
π» THE RIFF REPORT VERDICT
Let’s face it.
Heavy metal has always been at its best when it’s a little bit ridiculous.
Huge stages.
Massive riffs.
Leather jackets.
Pyro.
Motorbikes.
Dragons.
And now…
A giant bloody Eagle.
Saxon have never been afraid to embrace the spectacle, and that’s exactly why fans continue to adore them nearly fifty years after they first formed.
The return of the Eagle isn’t just nostalgia.
It’s a celebration of everything that makes heavy metal fun.
Big songs.
Big crowds.
Big production.
And one very big bird.
Roll on 2027.
We’ll see you down the front with a pint in one hand, devil horns in the other, and a grin wider than the wingspan of that legendary Eagle.
π¦ π€π₯
Long live Saxon. Long live British Heavy Metal.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialβfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heβs battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heβs always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heβs not writing or interviewing artists, youβll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicβtheyβre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatβs exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. π€
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