SAXON's Biff Byford checks in with the following band news:

"Just like to say thanks to everybody for coming to see us on the second tour of the UK this year - packed houses and crazy fans - a really great tour. Special thanks to our Canadian brothers ANVIL for rocking with us (has anybody got Lips playing D&L; on YouTube yet) and SUIDAKRA.

A very special thanks to our crew who looked after all three bands, keeping it all on time. It can be a nightmare if things don’t run smooth on tour.

OK, RiffKing - we will announce the top five winners and there prizes next week - one a week until we get to number 1.

We are starting writing songs for the next album next week. Also mixing all the live recordings.. Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie, Wacken 2004, 2007, 2009 and Sheffield. Also listening to old recordings and mixing them.

We are hoping to be playing some festivals around the world next year, we were thinking to maybe play all the tracks of Wheels Of Steel (and or Strong Arm) as a special. It is the 30th anniversary of those albums and the NWOBHM. Although we don’t want to live on past glories we cannot ignore the influence this period of British rock had around the globe. What do you think? Should we do this or not?

Thanks to all fans everywhere... See you in summer.

Keep the faith."

Coolhead Productions, the people behind the forthcoming Saxon documentary, Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie, recently asked those who pre-paid for a copy if they'd prefer to have a finished product by the original Christmas deadline, or wait until 2010, so that newly discovered vintage footage and additional interviews could be included.

Well, the votes have been cast, "Thanks for being patient in waiting to find out everyone’s thoughts on the possible delay to the project. We had 284 replies, only 8 of you wanted the film to be delivered before Christmas, whatever the potential impact might be on the content. The rest of you are happy for us to take whatever time is needed to complete the film properly. So we will now set the final shipping date of the film as Monday March 1st."

Stay tuned for further updates.