Saxon frontman Biff Byford has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the band’s remaining European dates have been cancelled. The group commented:
“We are very sorry, but due to Biff Byford catching Covid whilst on tour, the remaining European dates in Dresden, Linz and Ulm are cancelled and we are looking to reschedule them as soon as possible. Again we are very sorry for all the inconvenience this causes but is way beyond anyone’s control. Keep the Faith 🤘🏻”
It looks like Biff Byford currently has several new releases planned for the future. During an interview with TotalRock, the frontman confirmed that he is working on new albums for Saxon and Heavy Water, as well as new solo material.
Byford said the following:
“We’ve got this album [‘ More Inspirations’] coming out [from SAXON], obviously. We’re still touring [2022’s] ‘Carpe Diem’ [LP]. We’re writing the new album, which will be out — I think it will be out sometime early ’24. But we’ve got a lot of touring to do this year.
I’m sort of tentatively starting another solo album — maybe. We have another HEAVY WATER album coming out, which is me and my son [Seb Byford of NAKED SIX] in a band together. So that’ll be coming out soon as well; that’s all finished and ready to go. So there’s quite a lot of stuff happening for the band and myself, actually, in the next two years.
So we’ll just keep going, just trying to stay healthy, and we hope everybody likes what we’re doing, really.”
[via Blabbermouth]
During a recent interview with TotalRock’s Neil Jones, Biff Byford discussed the new Saxon album, which is set to be released on February 4, 2022. He said the following:
“The SAXON album is finished. Andy Sneap finished mixing it a couple of weeks ago. I signed it off. So that’s finished. While we were rehearsing for this show, we shot a video for the title track. So that should be out in October, on the pre-release day.”
“It’s heavy and melodic, which is what SAXON are all about. I think people are gonna like it. I like it. Some albums we’ve done I didn’t like, actually, but this album’s great. The last 10 albums have been great. But this one, I like it. I was listening to it the other day, again, for the video — shooting the video. It’s a good album.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Heavy Water, the project featuring Biff Byford (Saxon) and his son Seb Byford (Naked Six), have shared a new documentary on the making of their debut album “Red Brick City.” You can check that out below:
Saxon’s Biff Byford has publicly opened up about his battle with hearing loss. Fortunately, the frontman also revealed that his hearing aid has helped him out a lot.
Byford said the following [via Blabbermouth]:
“Since forming SAXON in 1977, we have released a new album every 18 months and have no plans of slowing down. Performing at gigs, playing our new songs in front of crowds and hearing them sing along is one of the greatest feelings in the world. That’s why I knew I had to get my hearing tested before our first gig back at Bloodstock Open Air Festival in August.
I discovered heavy metal music as a teenager, so I’ve been around high decibels and loud equipment for over 50 years. Back in the day at gigs sound restrictions didn’t exist like they do now. Sometimes when performing we would put our heads right into the speakers and rock out.
I remember being at an autograph signing session and the fans kept asking questions and trying to talk to me, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying so I kept saying ‘yes’ over and over again. I knew my hearing was gradually getting worse, but I lived with it. I would be at the studio and my tinnitus would be awful, it sounded like someone was screaming in my ear. Some days were better than but the ringing.
Then, one day, my whole perspective on health changed. I had a heart attack before undergoing an emergency triple bypass surgery.
I was on my bike. I do a lot of biking and walking. Heart attacks aren’t like what you see in Hollywood films, I was breathless and in a lot of pain. My doctor sent me straight to the hospital where I had a heart bypass. It took me a long time to recover. I told myself after that moment that my health comes first.
My hearing problems were also affecting my personal life as well. Dinner time with my family was especially hard. I found it difficult to keep up with conversation so gradually after time I just stopped trying. I would sit there and become more detached. It was lonely at times.
In line with my new stance on life — ‘health comes first’ — I went to Hidden Hearing, a high street hearing specialist where I had a hearing test. The audiologist was great, very knowledgeable about frequencies and how music can damage the ears, so we were able to have a proper conversation. I knew I was in safe hands.
Since I was fitted with my hearing aids Oticon More, I have been very impressed, especially with the Bluetooth as I can stream music straight from device to ear. Getting the aid is like turning back on the enjoyment button on life. I can hear things that I haven’t heard in a long time, like the certain notes of a guitar string, instruments like base guitar and drums no longer sound flat. Another bonus is my tinnitus has got so much better, it’s no way near as invasive as before. The aids have really helped reduce the severity with that.
Music is a form of escapism, when you’re at a gig it doesn’t matter what is going on in the world all you care about is being there. It helps people feel alive. The problem is many people attend gigs regularly, sometimes twice a week or used to before the pandemic, and your ears really feel the impact of that. Especially back in the day when there were no sound restrictions in venues. I know I’m not the only one who has experienced hearing loss as a result of attending shows! I would say to any fellow rockers or fans of ours if you’re in your 50s or 60s, go and get your ears tested. It has made such a big difference to my life; I hardly even notice the hearing aid.”
Biff Byford has revealed that Saxon’s new album will be released on February 4, 2022. He said the following:
“I’m just about to sign off on the last mix from [producer] Andy Sneap, so it should be ready real soon. You’re gonna be able to pre-order the album on October the 29th, and the album is coming out on February the 4th.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Heavy Water, the project featuring Biff Byford (Saxon) and his son Seb Byford (Naked Six), have premiered a new video for their new song “Revolution.” This track is from the band’s debut album “Red Brick City,” which is scheduled to be released on July 23.
Heavy Water, the project featuring Biff Byford (Saxon) and his son Seb Byford (Naked Six), have premiered a new video for the title track of their debut album “Red Brick City.” That effort will be released on July 23.
Heavy Water, the project featuring Biff Byford (Saxon) and his son Seb Byford (Naked Six), will be releasing their debut album “Red Brick City” on July 23. A video for the effort’s title track will be released on May 7.
Saxon’s Biff Byford is currently working on a new album with his son Seb (Naked Six). The frontman revealed the news during a recent interview with Sweden’s RockSverige.
Byford said the following:
“The record company wants to call it ‘BIFF AND SEB’ or ‘SEB AND BIFF,’ but we would like to do it with a band name and we’ve got the name HEAVY WATER. I quite like that name. We have a working title called ‘Red Brick City’. We’ll call it ‘Heavy Water’ or… I don’t know. The working title might change. As we speak at this moment, we’re doing bass guitars. I’m playing some and Seb’s playing some. When I finish talking to you, I’m going back into the studio.”
He continued when asked if he is singing on the album:
“Me and Seb. He’ll sing a song, I’ll sing a song and we’ll sing a song together. He plays guitar and I play bass and a friend of ours is playing drums, so it’s a three-piece band at the moment. We might add some stuff, but I don’t know. Again, we’re recording it pretty quick and live, just like [SAXON’s upcoming covers album] ‘Inspirations’, really. Very similar to my solo album, a very similar production.”
He then went on to say that the record sounds similar to his solo album “School Of Hard Knocks” and Saxon’s “Inspirations”:
“There’s some laid-back stuff and there’s some heavy stuff. I wouldn’t say there’s any prog rock on there, but there are definitely two or three metal tracks on there. Seb’s a great songwriter, and he likes to play heavy guitar riffs, so I’m sure people will be interested.”
Byford also added the following when asked what it’s like working with his son:
“It’s pretty cool. We’re both pretty set in our ways, so it’s working really well. It’s great for me and for him, really. I’m getting off on his excitement and his first time doing things, and he gets off on my that wisdom that I’ve learned over the years.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Metal Anarchy 
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