One of the leading lights of the NWOBHM movement, Saxon’s veterans come to Hellfest to prove (if proof were needed) that they’ve still got it under the bonnet. Hold on tight!

If heavy metal musicians wear long hair, jeans, leather and chains, it’s largely thanks to Saxon! The South Yorkshire band is one of the leading lights of the NWOBHM movement. Literally translated as “new wave of British heavy metal”, this movement emerged at the end of the 70s in the United Kingdom and included the famous Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Def Leppard, Judas Priest…

Several albums have marked the history of Saxon, and by extension that of rock in general: Wheels Of Steel (1980), Strong Arm of the Law (1980), Denim and Leather (1981), Power & the Glory (1983), Unleash the Beast (1997), Metalhead (1999)… The band has never stopped producing music. And while Saxon’s music has embraced more modern sounds over the years, the band has always remained true to its heavy metal roots. Their highly successful Hell, Fire And Damnation album, released in 2024, bears this out.