British heavy metal legends Saxon will play the Forum Hertfordshire in Hatfield ahead of their appearance at this summer's Download Festival

HEAVY metal legends Saxon will warm-up for their 2012 Download Festival appearance this summer with a live date in Hatfield.

British heavy metal group Saxon

Hot off touring with Judas Priest, the Barnsley-bred British heavy metal veterans will play the Forum Hertfordshire on Friday, June 8.

The band will be joined at their pre-Download show by a special guest to be announced.

Metalheads who enjoy Denim & Leather and Heavy Metal Thunder can expect classic after classic when the front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal play the College Lane venue.

The Yorkshire group – frontman Biff Byford, rhythm guitarist Doug Scarratt, lead guitarist Paul Quinn, drummer Nigel Glockler and bass player Nibbs Carter – are rightly seen as one of the premier vanguards of heavy metal and, alongside the likes of Iron Maiden, were a major influence behind platinum-selling stars such as Metallica and Megadeth.

Tickets for Saxon’s Donington Park warm-up gig at the University of Hertforshire in Hatfield cost £18.50.

* Saxon release live DVD/CD package Heavy Metal Thunder - Live - Eagles Over Wacken on April 23.