The band’s forthcoming album ‘Invincible Shield’ arrives next spring
Heavy metal godfathers Judas Priest have unleashed their new song, “Panic Attack.” The track is the lead single from their forthcoming album, Invincible Shield. The band formally announced the record during their live performance at Power Trip on Saturday, October 7 in Indio, California. The album will reportedly be their final studio effort. Stream the official lyric video below now.
Judas Priest’s upcoming nineteenth full-length studio effort is slated for arrival on March 8, 2024 through the band’s longtime label, Epic Records. It will be available on CD, two vinyl editions with alternate covers, cassette, and a very cool distressed, bootleg-style 7″ vinyl. The band has put together several bundles, which combined different variations of the new record. Some bundles include a special Invincible Shield t-shirt, hoodie, or vinyl shipmate cover. The bundles will contain three exclusive bonus tracks. In addition to the physical versions, the album will also be available for digital download and streaming. Check out the cover art and shots of all the different editions.
Fans can pre-order and pre-save the album now HERE.
Fresh off their 50th anniversary celebrations, the band is reportedly been working on new music for some time now. They released their acclaimed album Firepower back in 2018. The record is the band’s biggest commercial success, charting at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200 as well as hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart. For Firepower, Judas Priest reunited with producer Tom Allom (Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Krokus), who last produced the band’s 1988 album, Ram It Down. The record was co-produced by Andy Sneap, who would stepped in as a touring guitarist for the band. Long-time member Glenn Tipton retired from touring after revealing his Parkinson’s diagnoses, just one month before the album’s release. Tipton co-wrote every song on Firepower. After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Judas Priest toured relentlessly to celebrate the success of Firepower and the band’s five decades of heavy metal.
Judas Priest are performing at Power Trip after fellow metal legend Ozzy Osbourne withdrew from the festival back in July.
“The band that will be replacing me on Power Trip will be announced shortly,” Ozzy said in a statement at the time. “They are personal friends of mine and I can promise that you will not be disappointed.”
When they were confirmed as Ozzy’s replacements, Judas Priest said, “Power Trippers, are you ready for some Judas Priest-style heavy metal? Judas Priest are primed and proud to fly the flag for heavy metal at this prestigious festival. We are ready to raise double horns way up high together keeping the metal faith at this ‘bostin’ one of a kind Power Trip world event!”
After a set filled with hits and fan favorites at Power Trip, Judas Priest gave fans the ultimate surprise as long-time guitarist Glenn Tipton, who retired from extensive touring after revealing his Parkinson’s diagnoses, joined the band on stage for their encore. They played a stacked four-track curtain call that included “Hell Bent for Leather,” “Metal Gods,” “Breaking the Law,” and “Living After Midnight.” Tipton played guitar with the band for the last three songs. Glenn retired from being a road warrior just one month before the band’s 2018 album Firepower was released. Tipton co-wrote every song on the album, and played guitar parts. He would go on to appear on stage with the band sporadically at festivals.
Priest’s contributions to the genre are well-documented, however they often seem to be overshadowed by contemporaries like Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, the latter of whom are on the Power Trip bill. Having them take the stage alongside these other acts was a huge testament to their already rock-solid legacy. Judas Priest have long been synonymous with heavy metal. Since their inception, they’ve only increased their speed, volume, and intensity. They’ve written blueprints for generations of hard music acts to follow. It will be exciting to see what this next (and possibly final) chapter has in store for this iconic act.
After selling over 50 million albums worldwide, Judas Priest were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Next March, Judas Priest are embarking on their Metal Masters Tour across Europe. The trek kicks off on 24 March, 2024 at Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany and wraps up on 8 April, 2024 at Zenith in Paris, France. Special guests for the run will be Saxon and Uriah Heep on select dates. Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons will be performing at the Mediolanum Forum show in Milan, Italy on 6 April.
