Saxon

Formed around singer Biff Byford, Saxon released a self-titled debut album in 1979, followed by Wheels of Steel (1980), Strong Arm of the Law (1980) and Denim and Leather (1981), which established a style built on direct riffs, solid tempos and lyrics drawn from working‑class life, motorcycles, history and war. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with albums such as Power & the Glory (1983), Crusader (1984) and Solid Ball of Rock (1991), Saxon underwent several lineup changes while remaining rooted in melodic heavy metal, sometimes with faster accents. Still active in the 21st century, the band has maintained a steady discography — including Lionheart (2004), Sacrifice (2013), Thunderbolt (2018), Carpe Diem (2022) and Hell, Fire and Damnation (2024) — and keeps a constant presence on metal stages and festivals in Europe and internationally.