THE Judas Priest thread - v. new album and tour in 2024

[TAC]

Seemed the fans were screaming for vengeance.

[KevShmev]

Yep, with two guitarists at the ready again, they are primed to take on the world.

[wolfking]

Some heads certainly rolled when they announced the four piece news.  Fans ate the band alive!

[KevShmev]

Yep, just when it looked like Andy Sneap was going to be the victim of changes and left out in the cold, the band made a rapid fire decision and brought him back.

[TAC]

A raw deal for sure.

[Glasser]

This is Reckless for the killing machine but I'm all fired up for them to ram it down our throats on tour. (Wait.. Ummmm?!, that came out wrong).   

[wolfking]

This is Reckless for the killing machine but I'm all fired up for them to ram it down our throats on tour. (Wait.. Ummmm?!, that came out wrong).   

[ProfessorPeart]

The band will surely need a painkiller to get over the headache this caused.

[KevShmev]

Painkillers can also be helpful if you're burnin' up with a fever.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

All bands are a victim of changes from time to time.

[Evermind]

You didn't have to be Nostradamus to predict the backlash happening.

[Zydar]

I guess they felt the Rage from the fans, who said Don't Go when Andy got the boot.

[Melphina]

Walrus speaking - gotta say, I was never a fan of Priest. Couldn't stand them in fact. But yeah, saw several shows on the tour (girlfriend was merch manager for Sabaton so I had some good seats and got to hang with those dudes too). JP blew me away. On the way back from a couple shows I listened to some of their biggest albums from the 80s. Generally pretty good stuff but I never went back to them. Sometimes Rob's voice on the record really grated on me. Somehow he sounded way, way better live in his 70s than on those albums. That's wild  the man is an absolute monster live and I regret writing them off for so many years based on studio tracks.

I lost my shit the first time I watched them play Painkiller. Fuck yes. Still preferred Sabaton's last show in Denver, which was absolutely bonkers, but I can admit when I'm wrong - JP is very good 

[gazinwales]

Andy is back in it seems...

[TAC]

Andy is back in it seems...

Er... usually Australia is a day ahead of the rest of us...

[wolfking]

Andy is back in it seems...

Er... usually Australia is a day ahead of the rest of us...

 

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Andy is back in it seems...

Er... usually Australia is a day ahead of the rest of us...

[Zydar]

In case you guys were interested in knowing KK's reaction to this

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/kk_downing_reacts_to_judas_priests_initial_decision_to_tour_as_4-piece_calls_it_insulting.html

[wolfking]

In case you guys were interested in knowing KK's reaction to this

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/kk_downing_reacts_to_judas_priests_initial_decision_to_tour_as_4-piece_calls_it_insulting.html

I'm like everybody else. I'm totally bemused. It was just so extreme and insulting in a way, I guess, and insulting to Glenn [Tipton] as well. It was kind of a slap in the face, saying, 'Okay, you two guys did it, but we think just one guy could do what…' It kind of made us and everything that we've done and created, saying it was all superfluous, really, and didn't really have the value that… I'm sure Glenn will agree with me that it does have a value.

It's kind of awkward for me, guys, because with myself and Glenn, that's Judas Priest to me," he added. "I think I've got a license to say that, after spending a lifetime in the band. And the image and everything and all the shows and all the work and all the albums and everything, everything revolves around that. I mean, if you don't see Glenn's red pants on stage, it's not Judas Priest, right?

Okay, I created an image with the flying V [guitar], long blond hair, leather and studs — I created that. It's easy to use the wheel, but inventing it is a different story.

Well,  Glenn would have known and agreed to running as a four piece in the first instance you would think so he must have been okay with it.

KK created an image?  Is that true?  I'm new to Schenker but I reckon he probably took that flying v, blonde hair type of image thing and made it just a tad more than KK?  No?  Priest was Glenn and KK was just kinda there filling the gaps.

[bl5150]

Priest was Glenn and KK was just kinda there filling the gaps.

I agree from a musical point of view but , as you know,  from a band history point of view Glenn was recruited as a second guitarist (around the same time as Halford came in) to KK who had already been in the band 3-4 years.  So , forgetting how bitter and twisted KK may get , it's understandable that he feels that authority to speak as a "founding member" along with Ian Hill if you forget the short-termers in the very early days.

I wasn't there in the early 70's (not that old  ) but I think Schenker and KK were doing similar things with their image around the same time.   If memory serves correct Schenker asked KK to join Scorps at one stage.

[jammindude]

Didn’t KK write just as much as Tipton? He got equal credit for pretty much 40 years.

[pg1067]

Didn’t KK write just as much as Tipton? He got equal credit for pretty much 40 years.

Almost everything from British Steel through Painkiller (along with Angel and Nostradamus) is credited to Halford, Tipton and Downing.  Prior to that, there were many songs credited only to Tipton or to Tipton and Halford.  On Jugulator, all music was credited to Tipton and Downing, but on Demolition, Downing is credited on only 5/13 tracks.

[wolfking]

Priest was Glenn and KK was just kinda there filling the gaps.

I agree from a musical point of view but , as you know,  from a band history point of view Glenn was recruited as a second guitarist (around the same time as Halford came in) to KK who had already been in the band 3-4 years.  So , forgetting how bitter and twisted KK may get , it's understandable that he feels that authority to speak as a "founding member" along with Ian Hill if you forget the short-termers in the very early days.

I wasn't there in the early 70's (not that old  ) but I think Schenker and KK were doing similar things with their image around the same time.   If memory serves correct Schenker asked KK to join Scorps at one stage.

Yeah, I know all that.  Maybe I was a little harsh and pg said, the writing credits are evenly split.

I just think Priest wouldn't have gotten to the heights they did without Tipton.  Maybe I'm just being a fanboy too, which is entirely possible.

It would have been interesting to know the exact split of music writing over the years between the two.  Can't help but to feel Glenn was the more driving force being his leads are much more frequent than KK.

I do think if KK was keen to rejoin, the band should put the rivalry between them do it.  It makes sense.  Richie handles all of Glenn's parts fine anyway.

[bl5150]

I just think Priest wouldn't have gotten to the heights they did without Tipton. 

I do think if KK was keen to rejoin, the band should put the rivalry between them do it.  It makes sense.  Richie handles all of Glenn's parts fine anyway.

Yep.   If KK's solo work is any indication it's yet another example in classic bands of the "sum of the parts" being much greater.

[wolfking]

What a disappointment that KK album was.

[Glasser]

What a disappointment that KK album was.

What were your expectations? I had none so I actually enjoy it. Not ground breaking but its not terrible.

[wolfking]

What a disappointment that KK album was.

What were your expectations? I had none so I actually enjoy it. Not ground breaking but its not terrible.

Some half decent music with at least some creative forethought and some better soloing than the pathetic nonsensical sloppy noodling we got here.  Some lyrics that sound like a 5 year old wrote them is not ideal either.

I was trying to enjoy it and tried convincing myself but by the end I was like, 'nah, this sucks!'

[gazinwales]

What a disappointment that KK album was.

What were your expectations? I had none so I actually enjoy it. Not ground breaking but its not terrible.

Some half decent music with at least some creative forethought and some better soloing than the pathetic nonsensical sloppy noodling we got here.  Some lyrics that sound like a 5 year old wrote them is not ideal either.

I was trying to enjoy it and tried convincing myself but by the end I was like, 'nah, this sucks!'

Yup my exact thoughts, absolute rubbish and if didn't have KK's name on it, I doubt if anyone would have been talking about it at all.

[wolfking]

What a disappointment that KK album was.

What were your expectations? I had none so I actually enjoy it. Not ground breaking but its not terrible.

Some half decent music with at least some creative forethought and some better soloing than the pathetic nonsensical sloppy noodling we got here.  Some lyrics that sound like a 5 year old wrote them is not ideal either.

I was trying to enjoy it and tried convincing myself but by the end I was like, 'nah, this sucks!'

Yup my exact thoughts, absolute rubbish and if didn't have KK's name on it, I doubt if anyone would have been talking about it at all.

Most wouldn't even know it existed if it wasn't for that.

[Stadler]

In case you guys were interested in knowing KK's reaction to this

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/kk_downing_reacts_to_judas_priests_initial_decision_to_tour_as_4-piece_calls_it_insulting.html

I'm like everybody else. I'm totally bemused. It was just so extreme and insulting in a way, I guess, and insulting to Glenn [Tipton] as well. It was kind of a slap in the face, saying, 'Okay, you two guys did it, but we think just one guy could do what…' It kind of made us and everything that we've done and created, saying it was all superfluous, really, and didn't really have the value that… I'm sure Glenn will agree with me that it does have a value.

It's kind of awkward for me, guys, because with myself and Glenn, that's Judas Priest to me," he added. "I think I've got a license to say that, after spending a lifetime in the band. And the image and everything and all the shows and all the work and all the albums and everything, everything revolves around that. I mean, if you don't see Glenn's red pants on stage, it's not Judas Priest, right?

Okay, I created an image with the flying V [guitar], long blond hair, leather and studs — I created that. It's easy to use the wheel, but inventing it is a different story.

Well,  Glenn would have known and agreed to running as a four piece in the first instance you would think so he must have been okay with it.

KK created an image?  Is that true?  I'm new to Schenker but I reckon he probably took that flying v, blonde hair type of image thing and made it just a tad more than KK?  No?  Priest was Glenn and KK was just kinda there filling the gaps.

I got into Priest in '82 with Screaming... and went from there.  FOR ME, and I only speak for me, the image was always Rob and the leather and the bike.   It wasn't like Kiss where each member had a distinctive costume that changed specifically for each tour.  Yeah, maybe Glenn's red pants, but beyond that...   Maybe it's the cover of the MSG album, but if you said to me "Flying V", my first thought is Michael Schenker, my second thought is Rudy Schenker, and then, maybe, KK Downing.

[Zydar]

Apparently the new JP album will have some progressive elements, according to Halford.

"Yeah, the metal is there. But here's the thing: we've tried our best not to replicate anything that we've done. From 'Rocka Rolla' all the way through to 'Firepower', each record has had a distinctive character. And it's tough because fans go, 'We want another 'Painkiller',' 'We want another 'British Steel'.' And [it's, like], 'Dude, we've already done that.'

"Fans know that we're a band that is always full of adventure and trying new stuff," he continued. "And so, yeah, this has got probably some more progressive elements that we've never really delved into before. And that's exciting, because, again, it gives us and our fans another opportunity to see a different side of Priest. But it's still metal. There's just more of it. There are more notes than there were before."

Rob Halford Explains What Judas Priest's New Album Is Going to Be Like, Says There'll Be 'Progressive Elements' | Music News @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

[ProfessorPeart]

I like the way Richie thinks. He should just mediate a sit down.

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-10-years-of-weirdness-between-k-k-downing-and-judas-priest-has-been-a-bit-unnecessary/

"I don't know what it would take to patch that up, but it's been 10 years of weirdness, really. It's been a bit unnecessary. And I said this the other week, really, and I hate to repeat myself, but they were brothers for 40 years. And I think, music aside, pick up the phone and have a chat, have a pint down the pub and just catch up and be buddies again more than anything else. But as I said before, it's not my relationship to nurture, really; it's up to them to handle.

"Obviously, it goes without saying, if Ken ever came back, I'd be willing to move over or do whatever it takes," Faulkner added. "It's JUDAS PRIEST. I'd be willing to get out or move over or wear a funny hat — or whatever it needs to do. But as I said, it's not my relationship to take care of, really."

[Stadler]

I like the way Richie thinks. He should just mediate a sit down.

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-10-years-of-weirdness-between-k-k-downing-and-judas-priest-has-been-a-bit-unnecessary/

"I don't know what it would take to patch that up, but it's been 10 years of weirdness, really. It's been a bit unnecessary. And I said this the other week, really, and I hate to repeat myself, but they were brothers for 40 years. And I think, music aside, pick up the phone and have a chat, have a pint down the pub and just catch up and be buddies again more than anything else. But as I said before, it's not my relationship to nurture, really; it's up to them to handle.

"Obviously, it goes without saying, if Ken ever came back, I'd be willing to move over or do whatever it takes," Faulkner added. "It's JUDAS PRIEST. I'd be willing to get out or move over or wear a funny hat — or whatever it needs to do. But as I said, it's not my relationship to take care of, really."

I'm with you; I love that attitude.  And he's right.  Stop litigating this through Blabbermouth, and go find a quiet pub in Wolverhampton where they don't give a rat's ass who you are or what band you're in.  Bobby Plant knows of a couple I'm sure.

[Dream Team]

Walrus speaking - gotta say, I was never a fan of Priest. Couldn't stand them in fact. But yeah, saw several shows on the tour (girlfriend was merch manager for Sabaton so I had some good seats and got to hang with those dudes too). JP blew me away. On the way back from a couple shows I listened to some of their biggest albums from the 80s. Generally pretty good stuff but I never went back to them. Sometimes Rob's voice on the record really grated on me. Somehow he sounded way, way better live in his 70s than on those albums. That's wild  the man is an absolute monster live and I regret writing them off for so many years based on studio tracks.

I lost my shit the first time I watched them play Painkiller. Fuck yes. Still preferred Sabaton's last show in Denver, which was absolutely bonkers, but I can admit when I'm wrong - JP is very good 

Better late than never.

[wolfking]

I like the way Richie thinks. He should just mediate a sit down.

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-10-years-of-weirdness-between-k-k-downing-and-judas-priest-has-been-a-bit-unnecessary/

"I don't know what it would take to patch that up, but it's been 10 years of weirdness, really. It's been a bit unnecessary. And I said this the other week, really, and I hate to repeat myself, but they were brothers for 40 years. And I think, music aside, pick up the phone and have a chat, have a pint down the pub and just catch up and be buddies again more than anything else. But as I said before, it's not my relationship to nurture, really; it's up to them to handle.

"Obviously, it goes without saying, if Ken ever came back, I'd be willing to move over or do whatever it takes," Faulkner added. "It's JUDAS PRIEST. I'd be willing to get out or move over or wear a funny hat — or whatever it needs to do. But as I said, it's not my relationship to take care of, really."

I was never a fan of Richie when he joined but I'm liking him more and more.  He's earned his place now but this attitude is beyond his years.  I think his heart issue he experienced probably helps with this sensible and mature thinking.