Judas Priest 's highly anticipated South American tour , which included an explosive performance at Monsters Of Rock in São Paulo last Saturday, Rob Halford spoke with Chilean radio station Radio Futuro ( via Blabbermouth ) about the band's current moment, the impact of the new album Invincible Shield , and the noticeable absences of classic guitarists KK Downing and Glenn Tipton .
Released in 2024, Invincible Shield has been acclaimed by fans and critics as one of Priest's best works in decades—something Halford himself acknowledges. "There's no other band in metal today making statements like that. This album represents exactly who we are now," said the vocalist. For him, the album marks one of the band's most significant moments since the classic Painkiller , released in 1990.
The vocalist also reflected on the weight of maintaining such a long-lasting legacy. After celebrating the 50th anniversary of their debut album Rocka Rolla , Halford highlighted the importance of keeping the band's identity alive, even after so many years on the road. "We're always trying to make the best metal possible. And with Invincible Shield , we show that we still have a lot to say," he stated.
Regarding the pressure of releasing a new album after long periods, Halford was candid. “When your favorite band is about to release a new album, there’s always that fear: ‘I hope it’s not bad.’ It’s normal. But we focus on living in the moment and delivering the best metal of our time, as it should be.”
Glenn Tipton and KK Downing
The Metal God also spoke fondly of Glenn Tipton, who stepped away from touring in 2018 due to his Parkinson's diagnosis. "It's a cruel disease, especially for guitarists. But everything Glenn built with Judas Priest will live on forever," said Halford. Tipton contributed solos and compositions to Invincible Shield , even while facing the challenges of the disease.
Regarding the absence of KK Downing, who left the band in 2011, Halford preferred to adopt a respectful tone. “KK’s place in Priest’s history is permanent. We wish him all the best. You can’t hold grudges—it only poisons the soul. Life goes on,” he stated.
Currently, Judas Priest's lineup features Richie Faulkner on guitars, who joined the band after KK's departure and participated in the albums Redeemer Of Souls (2014), Firepower (2018), and now Invincible Shield (2024) . Halford praised Faulkner's work and also extolled the other band members. " Ian Hill (bassist) is playing like never before, with his usual power. And Scott Travis (drummer) continues to be a metal machine."
Even after more than 50 years in the business, Rob continues to challenge himself vocally. "There are things I can't do like I used to, but I keep pushing myself. And the support of the fans makes all the difference," he commented.
'Invincible Shield' and 35 years of 'Painkiller'
The new album's success wasn't limited to fans: Invincible Shield reached number 2 on the UK charts, behind only Ariana Grande 's Eternal Sunshine —even surpassing the historic British Steel (1980), which had peaked at number 4. The album also topped the charts in Germany, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland, and was among the top 10 best-selling albums in countries like France, Italy, and Australia.
And the celebrations don't stop there: the band will celebrate Painkiller with the Shield Of Pain , promising a rare and special setlist, full of classics and surprises for the most loyal fans.
READ ALSO: Judas Priest proves immortality in São Paulo show and promises to return to Brazil
