Saxon frontman Biff Byford has begun writing material for an upcoming solo release, and spoke about it with KaaosTV before Saxon's show at Nummirock festival in Nummijärvi, Finland on June 22nd.

"I'm writing with a few friends as well," says Biff. "We're just writing songs at the moment. I'm writing a song with Fredrik (Åkesson) from Opeth, the guitarist, and a few other people, you know, we've just got ideas going backwards and forwards."

Asked who he'd work with, if he could work with any musician in the world, Biff replies, "It's have to be someone like Tony Iommi, or Eddie Van Halen or something. I'm a bit of a guitar buff, so I like guitarists."

On whenever or not it's important that the solo album doesn't sound like Saxon, Biff reveals, "It'll sound like Saxon 'cause I'm singing, you know, it'll be my voice. It'll be a more diverse album, you know, not so focused on heavy metal, but more diverse."

Find out more below:

Saxon recently released a lyric video for "The Secret Of Flight", a track from the band's Thunderbolt album, out now via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music). Watch below.

Due to demand, the band have also added three more shows in the UK around the previously announced Hard Rock Hell headline appearance on November 9th.

New dates:

November
8 - Bath, UK - Forum
10 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Concert Hall
11 - Newcastle, UK - City Hall

Tickets on sale here. Guest acts on the dates are German metal queen Doro, together with UK favorites Wayward Sons.

Biff Byford says: “2018 is turning out to be another monumental year for Saxon. After storming across the North America with the Thunderbolt tour, we are releasing ‘Secret Of Fight’ from the album as the new single and video. The track has already proven to be a live monster song so as we are half way through the year’s tour schedule, it’s apt that we release it now.

"With that in mind, we would also like to share the following up to date stats with you all:

Miles travelled: 37,000 miles
People played to: 200,000
Bottles of Wine: 184
Bottles of Beer: 2228
Bottles of water: 4350
Cocktails: 560
Tea bags: 14
Pizzas: 19
Curries: 12
Burgers: 150
Steaks: 86
Breakfasts: 49
Guitar strings: 300
Drum sticks: 150
Bass strings: 140
Guitar picks: 1000
Hours asleep: Minimal!

"As you know we never rest, so the Thunderbolt tour continues in Europe this summer and through the Autumn - now with the addition of more UK shows!”

About the new video for "The Secret Of Flight" Biff adds: “Being in a touring band we fly a lot so I was sat on a plane one day thinking in the big scheme of things we didn’t discover how to fly until quite recently in man’s history - 1903 that’s only 115 years ago. I thought it would make a good subject so there you go…. The Secret Of Flight!”