Judas Priest are a heavy metal band formed in 1970 in Birmingham. Judas Priest's core line-up consists of bass player Ian Hill, vocalist Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing. They have been cited as an influence on many heavy metal musicians and bands. Their popularity and status as one of the definitive heavy metal bands has earned them the nickname "Metal Gods", from their song of the same name. They have sold over 35 million albums worldwide.
HEAVY METAL GODS JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE 7 DATE 'PRIEST FEAST' ARENA TOUR IN FEBRUARY 2009 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MEGADETH AND TESTAMENT
London, 1st October 2008 – One of the worlds most popular and influential Heavy Metal bands – Judas Priest are set to rock the UK to it's very core when they bring their 'Priest Feast' tour to play 7 arena dates in February 2009 with support from special guests – Thrash Metal veterans Megadeth and Testament.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal's most successful bands, issuing such all-time clic albums as 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' and 1990's 'Painkiller,' and such arena-rocking anthems as "Breaking the Law," "Living After Midnight," and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." However, Priest's influence goes far beyond their music - they were the first metal band to embrace the 'leather biker look,' a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford's powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been 'studied' by countless metal bands in Priest's wake.
Think 'Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,' and some of rock's all-time clic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST released their sprawling double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.
Having the opportunity to see 3 such important and influential bands within the world of Metal on the same bill is cause for excitement. Make sure you don't miss the chance to witness Metal history in the making and ensure you are part of Priest Feast 2009.
'PRIEST FEAST' JUDAS PRIEST With Special Guests Megadeth and Testament
February Friday 13 Sheffield Arena Saturday 14 Birmingham LG Arena Monday 16 Glasgow SECC Hall 4 Tuesday 17 Manchester Arena Wednesday 18 Nottingham Arena Friday 20 Cardiff Arena Saturday 21 Wembley Arena
Tickets are priced at £37.50 (subject to booking fee) and are available from + 44 844 576 5483 or buy online at www.livenation.co.uk
A Live Nation presentation
For all Pr Enquiries please contact Christine Gorham, PR Director, Live Nation UK Christine.gorham@livenation.co.uk or 020 7009 3282
For all accreditation enquiries please contact Charley Johns, Press istant, Live Nation UK Charley.johns@livenation.co.uk or 020 7009 3369
Name any current heavy metal band, and they've knowingly or unknowingly borrowed a thing or two from Judas Priest. Having sold millions of albums (including such clics as "British Steel", "Screaming for Vengeance", and "Painkiller"), scored many radio standards ("Breaking the Law", "Living After Midnight", and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'"), and staged numerous sold out tours for decades by this point, you'd think that Judas Priest has accomplished just about everything within the rock stratosphere.
But 2008 has seen several firsts for the band - their first-ever concept album (and highest U.S. charting album of their entire career), "Nostradamus", as well as their first-ever late night U.S. television performance, on "Jimmy Kimmel Live", which will see Priest play a free outdoor mini-concert on Tuesday, September 2nd, at 6:15pm in Los Angeles, California.
To get your free tickets, visit www.1iota.com for more information.
Everyone must be at least 16 years old with a valid ID, and no knapsacks or bags of any kind will be allowed at the outdoor performance (all of this information and more is included when they get tickets).
Come witness this sure-to-be unforgettable union of the metal gods and the late night TV god!
Judas Priest invites you to design the official online tour poster for the upcoming Metal Masters tour.
The band will choose their favorite design to be featured on judaspriest.com and myspace sites and the creator will get VIP meet and greet pes to the date of their choice on the tour!
Judas Priest will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio show ROCKLINE with host Bob Coburn on Monday night July 21 and rebroadcast on Wednesday night July 23 at 8:30pm PT / 11:30pm ET. Fans are encouraged to call to speak with Judas Priest on Monday the 21st at 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information regarding how to log onto the Internet for the broadcast and how to hear the rebroadcast go to
We are very pleased to tell everyone that Glenn Tipton will be flying back out to Europe today (Thur 3rd July) to rejoin the Tour and the show in Liberec will be going on as scheduled! Glenn has seen a specialist and even though he is still not well and has to have more tests next week he will be finishing off the rest of the European Dates!
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel two shows - tonight in Belgrade and tomorrow in Zagreb - this is due to Glenn Tipton being ill - he has been pretty sick for about a week now but has struggled on regardless - he has been in a lot of pain and has been told be a doctor that he is suffering from a very painful appendix inflammation and needs to come back to the UK to see a specialist which he is doing today - he has been instructed by the doctor not to perform for a couple of days - this is the first time in the history of Judas Priest that we have had to cancel any shows and we are very sorry to all those disappointed fans - however Glenn's health must come first!
Buy the album today and get a free ticket to the metal Masters tour.
Go to livenation.com/judaspriest, select the show you would like to see, and then click the ticket link you would like. You will be prompted to enter your code (found inside your copy of Nostradamus) to redeem your free ticket.
With anticipation building towards the June 17 release date of Judas Priest's double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' (and forthcoming 'Metal Masters' tour), three band members - singer Rob Halford and guitarists Glenn Tipton and KK Downing - will be participating in the group's first in-store signings in over two decades.
The in-stores will be occurring over two days - Thursday, May 8 at Hot Topic at the Plaza at King of Prussia (in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) and on Friday, May 9 at Vintage Vinyl (in Woodbridge, New Jersey).
The Hot Topic signing begins at 6pm, and will be limited to 500 people (on a first come/first serve basis). In order to receive a wristband, fans must pre-order 'Nostradamus' or purchase any Judas Priest CD or t-shirt in the store, beginning May 2.
Fans will also receive a free poster. The band will sign one item per customer- no guitars please.
For more information about the Hot Topic signing, call (610) 265-6610.
The Vintage Vinyl signing also begins at 6pm, and again, will be limited to the first 500 fans.
Fans will be able to pre-order 'Nostradamus' (regular or deluxe version), and will receive a wristband that gets them access to this exclusive event.
They will also receive a poster, which they can get signed by Rob, Glenn and KK.
The guys will only be signing one item per customer - again, no guitars please - and there will be one wristband per customer.
For more information about the Vintage Vinyl signing, call (732) 225-7717.
"The 'Nostradamus' album - above all others - is perhaps the one I'm most proud of," says Glenn Tipton. "Whilst in essence and character still very much Judas Priest, it has afforded the opportunity to explore areas of clical and operatic dimensions that the band normally wouldn't. As a guitarist and writer it has inspired me to greater heights and opened new doors to intrigue and pion. From start to finish it will take you through a magical experience filled with light, shade, drama, melody and emotion, that reflects this unique man and his life. Why did we choose Nostradamus? We didn't - he chose us. We feel it was meant to be!"
For more information, visit: www.judaspriest.com
Hot Topic Plaza at King of Prussia 160 N. Gulph Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406 (610) 265-6610 www.hottopic.com
Vintage Vinyl Records Corner of Route 1 North and Ford Avenue Woodbridge, NJ (732) 225-7717 www.vvinyl.com
JUDAS PRIEST ROAR BACK WITH AN INSTANT EPIC, 'NOSTRADAMUS' ON MULTIPLE CLIC FORMATS & A WORLD TOUR
Think 'Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,' and some of rock's all-time clic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST will be releasing their sprawling double disc concept album, 'Nostradamus' via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.
Long in the works, 'Nostradamus' takes epic storytelling to a whole new level, as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th Century French prophet. Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9-11, among countless other renowned events.
"As in any concept piece, the lifeline needs to be of a solid source, taking the music over many levels of interest and perception," points out singer Rob Halford. "Nostradamus' contains new frontiers explored and defined. The sense of adventure and the journey we undertook bringing the man's life alive with metal was a real labour of love."
As with all new Priest releases, the group - singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis - will embark on a mammoth worldwide tour in support of 'Nostradamus.' Priest will be performing at the 2008 Download Festival - on a bill also featuring Kiss - which will serve as a 'homecoming' of sorts for the group, as they performed at the first-ever 'Monsters of Rock Festival' at Donington Park in 1980.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal's most successful bands, issuing such all-time clic albums as 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' and 1990's 'Painkiller,' and such arena-rocking anthems as "Breaking the Law," "Living After Midnight," and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." However, Priest's influence goes far beyond their music - they were the first metal band to embrace the 'leather biker look,' a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford's powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been 'studied' by countless metal bands in Priest's wake.
"The 'Nostradamus' album - above all others - is perhaps the one I'm most proud of," says Tipton. "Whilst in essence and character still very much Judas Priest, it has afforded the opportunity to explore areas of clical and operatic dimensions that the band normally wouldn't. As a guitarist and writer it has inspired me to greater heights and opened new doors to intrigue and pion. From start to finish, it will take you through a magical experience filled with light, shade, drama, melody and emotion that reflects this unique man and his life."
"For me, 'Nostradamus' has been a musical journey without comparison," adds Downing. "The intrigue and mystery that surrounds this revered man has expanded my perception of heavy metal to the highest plateau and enabled me to reach the outer limits of my imagination and transport unique feelings and emotions to the instrument that allows me to express myself."
In addition to the regular jewel case double CD version of the album, collectors will undoubtedly be interested in hunting down a copy of a Deluxe Double CD housed in a 48 page hardbound book package. But that's not all - a Super Deluxe Box-set version will also be available with triple vinyl, the double CD, an expanded booklet & a poster.
Most bands of this high stature would be happy to play it safe. But not Judas Priest, who continue to take chances and break new ground. No other rock band could have pulled off such a grand statement, and Judas Priest have raised the bar once more with 'Nostradamus.'
As to why they chose to make a concept album about Nostradamus, Tipton explains: "We didn't - he chose us. We feel it was meant to be!"
To get a taste of what awaits for you within 'Nostradamus,' go to livenation.com/judaspriest Monday, April 21st to download exclusive free mp3 of the album's title track, as well as view the world premiere of the album cover art.
We are very pleased to announce the first of our 2008 Tour Dates that we have confirmed - more will be announced throughout January:
5TH JUNE ROCK FESTIVAL, SWEDEN 27TH GRASPOP METAL FESTIVAL, BELGIUM 28TH BANG YOUR HEAD FESTIVAL, STUTTGART, GERMANY 29TH GODS OF METAL FESTIVAL, BOLOGNA, ITALY
JUDAS PRIEST were honoured by Kerrang! last night who presented them with their top award - the HALL OF FAME!! The whole band attended the Awards show and received a standing ovation when they went up to receive the award!! A great night was had by all!!
All is going really well with the new album - Glenn & K.K. are working on their guitar parts - all of the guys are going to take a short summer break then will re-group to get back to working on the album!
