Thomas Jensen, Manager of British heavy metallers SAXON, has issued the following message in regards to the band not performing at last weekend's Gods Of Metal festival in Monza, Italy:

"To all our fans at Gods Of Metal...

After a storming show in Trinec, Czech Republic, I have to annouce: Unfortunatly due to logistical problems Saxon couldn't get (there) in time (for) the Gods Of Metal. We hope to play Italy soon! Sorry.

Rockwave Athen's won't be affected."

View Saxon's tour schedule at this location.

As previously reported, Saxon are inviting fans to choose their setlist for their performance at this summer's Wacken Open Air festival.

The band will play one song from every album they've released, so just pick your favorite ones! Vote at this location.

As previously reported, Wacken organizers have announced a tentative running order for the festival - click here to download.

Rockalarm will be presenting the W:O:A 2009 exclusively on the internet. Thanks to the co-operation between the music-portal and Tempodome, the fans who have to stay at home will have the chance to watch the sold-out 20th Wacken Open Air live stream at rockalarm.com. The transmission will start in the morning and will continue until the early next morning. Simultaneous concerts at two stages will be recorded and delivered in addition. So fans won’t miss anything. Check out the ticket-portal eventim.de/wacken for prices.

Confirmed acts on the W:O:A 2009 bill for the festival include: AIRBOURNE, AMON AMARTH, ANTHRAX, ASP, AXEL RUDI PELL, BAI BANG, BLOODWORK, BON SCOTT, BORKNAGAR, THE BOSSHOSS, BRING ME THE HORIZON, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, CALLEJON, CATHEDRAL, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, D-A-D, DER W, DORO, DRAGONFORCE, DRONE, EINHERJER, ENDSTILLE, ENGEL, ENSLAVED, EPICA, ETHS, THE FADING, FEUERSCHWANZ, 5th AVENUE, GAMMA RAY, GRAND MAGUS, GWAR, HAMMERFALL, HEAVEN & HELL, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, IN EXTREMO, IN FLAMES, INSIDIOUS DISEASE, KAMPFAR, KINGDOM OF SORROW, KORPIKLAANI, LACUNA COIL, MACHINE HEAD, MAGO DE OZ, MAMBO KURT, MOTÖRHEAD, NAPALM DEATH, NEVERMORE, NERVECELL, ONKEL TOM, PAIN, PENTAGRAM, RABENSCHREY, RAGE, RETROSPECT, SARKE, SAXON, SCHANDMAUL, SUBWAY TO SALLY, TESTAMENT, THIN LIZZY, TORMENT, TRACEDAWN, TRISTANIA, TROUBLE, TURISAS, UFO, UK SUBs, VICTIMS OF MADNESS, VOLBEAT, VREID, WALLS OF JERICHO, THE WALTONS, WHIPLASH.