Many musicians tend to see the height of perfection in their new album. At least the statements “This is our best record of our entire career!” heard almost before every release. In principle, this is normal, but alas, the forecasts are not always accurate. Agree, predicting success or failure with 100% certainty is a hopeless business.
Therefore, rock fans understand and share the opinion of JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Rob Halford, voiced by him in one of his recent interviews. It was about their new album, and Rob shared some very interesting information, giving the band’s fans some idea of what’s in store for them. Rob has his own point of view on this matter. He argues that many groups need a critical assessment of their performance, and the only way to achieve a result is to let go of the situation, not to try to imitate what has already been done and not look back on past successes.
On the other hand, it can be understood. This year, Rob will turn 72, and this is not a young age. He was only 66 at the time Firepower was released in March 2018. The difference is quite large. In fact, indirectly, Rob himself admits this. “In the eighties,” he says, “we recorded an album every year, and we did world tours. We were just bubbling with new music back then.” Indeed, from 1976 to 1984 releases were annual. And they all became gold and platinum heavy metal classics.
And when can we expect something new? How soon can we realistically assess the result of the group’s efforts? According to Halford, everything is ready for a long time: “The album is in front of me, on my laptop, and it sounds amazing, anyone will say that.”
But when exactly it will be released is still unknown. Now the band is going on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, and after its completion, the final stage of work on the album will begin. Therefore, it will not appear before the end of 2023.
And in conclusion, good news for long-time fans of the band: former Judas guitarist Glenn Tipton is participating in the recording. Nine years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and it has not gone anywhere. Despite this, he is full of desire to play. Whatever he can, Glenn will do.
So, in summary: the new JUDAS PRIEST album, which will be released in 2023, does not copy the previous ones, but the creative basis, energy and vitality inherent in all the band’s records and uniting them, will definitely be present in it.
