Rob Halford announced in an interview with Metal Express Radio Judas Priest album will be released in 2024. The project is being produced by Andy Sneap , Tom Allom , and Mike Exeter .
“It will be ready when it’s ready. But we’re trying to keep a timeline. We’re hoping to do this Ozzy Osbourne of Europe in May. Please, Ozzy, stay well; I think he will. Once we do the tour with Ozzy, then we’ll really finish the album and then we’ll probably be ready to release it. I’m saying now… I said 2023. It looks like it will be released in 2024 – which isn’t too far away. It’s almost February 2023 already” (transcription via Blabbermouth ).
In September, Richie Faulkner had already commented on the recording process of the album, which features pre-recorded drums, guitar, and bass , and its progressive sound.
At the time, Halford added to the guitarist's comment: “As I've been saying in these recent Zoom interviews, they're all waiting for me because all the music is ready. I have the album right here in front of me on my laptop, and it sounds incredible, which is what you'd expect any musician to say. But I really have to do my job now and make sure that what I do is related to the great work the guys have done.”
Furthermore, Faulkner had revealed that the new album is not a continuation of Firepower (2018), since the band will never try to replicate an album, but rather attribute distinctive characteristics to each one.
“When you’re in a band, you’re always trying to improve yourself; you’re always trying to say, ‘This is the best album we’ve ever made.’ It’s a natural thing to do. I’m aware of the great success and love that Firepower ,” the vocalist agreed. “And so, how do you deal with that? Well, first, you have to let go of that, because it’s like you’re chasing something that’s indescribable. What’s the point of trying to imitate something you’ve already done? British Steel isn’t Painkiller ; Painkiller isn’t Point Of Entry , and Point Of Entry isn’t Nostradamus . So, this album is preparing to be its own thing.”
Check out the full interview with Rob Halford below:
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