Judas Priest have endured in one form or another for more than 50 years, and on their new single, “Trial by Fire,” they acknowledge their own courage. “Tied up and abused, considered a liar / I’ve endured trial by fire,” sings frontman Rob Halford on the chorus, growling the word “fire” a little more each time he sings it.
The track, which naturally features some pyrotechnic guitars from Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, will appear on the band’s upcoming album Invincible Shield album, scheduled for release on March 3, 2024.
The group released the new album’s first single, “Panic Attack,” last month on Friday the 13th. This track features an aggressive riff and Halford, of course, singing the title over and over as if screaming for revenge. They announced the new album last month during their appearance at Coachella’s Power Trip festival in Indio, California.
“There are definitely a few more twists and turns on this record,” Faulkner previously said. Audio Ink Radio (by chatterbox). “There are a few more musical parts… I’ve used the word ‘progressive’ before, and the internet has turned me into a new idiot. But it’s progressive in the sense that it’s not like verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus-ending. It’s part musical-verse-part musical… a bit like ‘Sinner’ or ‘Tyrant’ or something… It’s Seventies Priest, but it’s not a retro album by any means. It’s Seventies Priest influence in the progressive sense, but it sounds like Priest in 2023.”
Judas Priest will begin a North American tour in support of the album about a month after its release, with dates beginning in Wallingford, Connecticut. Dates include an appearance at the Welcome to Rockville festival in May.
Judas Priest tour dates:
April 18 – Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Theater
April 19 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
April 21 – Reading, PA @ Santander Arena
April 24 – Bangor, ME @ Cross Insurance Center
April 25 – Boston, MA at MGM Music Hall at Fenway
April 27 – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
April 28 – Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater in White River
May 1st – Rosemont, IL at the Rosemont Theater
May 2 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
May 4th – Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Event Center
May 5 – Maryland Heights, MO at St Louis Music Park
May 7 – Huntsville, AL @ VBC Propst Arena
May 9th – Daytona, FL @ Welcome to Rockville
May 11 – Alpharetta, GA at Ameris Bank Amphitheater
May 12 – Mobile, AL @ Mobile Civic Center Arena
May 14 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
May 17 – Evansville, IN @ Ford Center
May 19 – Washington, DC at the MGM National Harbor Theater
May 21 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena
May 22 – Syracuse, NY at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Lakeview
