Halford reunites with Judas Priest

From Kris Osborn
CNN
Friday, July 11, 2003 Posted: 12:33 PM EDT (1633 GMT)


ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Legendary heavy metal vocalist Rob Halford has reunited with Judas Priest, the singer told CNN Friday, speaking by phone from his Birmingham, England, home.

The band, one of heavy metal's most popular groups and a leader in the late-'70s wave of British metal bands, plans to release a full-length studio album in the spring of 2004. Judas Priest will also embark on a global concert tour, the band's first with Halford in more than a decade, the group's management team said.

"Rob Halford, along with band members K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill, felt a heightened level of intensity," a member of the management team told CNN, speaking of recent meetings with the four. "Rob said they were all very excited and they have re-established their friendship. These guys grew up together from their early 20s on, so this means a lot to them personally and professionally."

Tipton also told CNN the band has reunited.

Judas Priest is best known for its songs "Breaking the Law" and "You've Got Another Thing Comin' " and the albums "Screaming for Vengeance" and "Defenders of the Faith."

Work on the new album is scheduled to begin in October.

The original band members have been re-establishing their personal and professional relationships since 1999, along the way sparking reunion rumors.

"Rob and the other Judas Priest members are so happy this is all a go," the management team member said. "We've worked so hard over the last four years to make this happen."

"We've been through a lot together," said Tipton. "Priest is known for its live music, so what we're looking for to is playing again."

"It's difficult to put it into words," added Halford, referring to the emotions of the reunion.

Judas Priest formed in the gritty, working-class city of Birmingham in 1970. By the late '70s, they were one of the biggest bands in Britain, and had great success in the United States in the 1980s.

Halford left the band in the early '90s in a bitter split. He recorded four studio albums and released a live album without Judas Priest.

The band has continued to perform as Judas Priest, with Ripper Owens' vocals, since Halford's departure. The 2001 movie "Rock Star" was partly based on Owens' experience as a fan and leader of a Priest tribute band who later joined his heroes. Owens will not be part of the regrouped Priest, but his departure was amicable, says the band.

Ripper was good! Halford is god.

Halford's most recent solo album was suprisingly good in my opinion. Check it out.

WHEW...


well now it all MAKES SENCE
[This message was edited Fri Jul 11 17:50:40 PDT 2003 by DORA]

oh, no GUNS N ROSES reunion...

Ridiculous...just weeks ago he swore up & down there was NO reunion & they weren't
even talking.

Revolution said:

Even if G'N'R went on tour...it would not be a G'N'R reunion...other than Axel, there are no original members.

Wrong forum

Hmmm...wow...i'm into the new heavy metal, and have no clue about them...except for metallica...i like em... ok...bye...

angelinthepit said:

Judas was one of the better ones.

You *migh*t have heard of them cuz they were the first rock band to be accused of planting 'subliminal messages' in their music. They were accused to trying to make kids commit suicide.

"Dont turn your back on the Rippeeer"

Priest rawks!

Though this will be an arena tour with $50 seats, it will rock my freaking socks off. If they can do a double bill with Bruce Dickenson and Iron Maiden with Eddie... HOLY SHIT FUCK YEA ROCK ON!!!

Anyone ever seen "Heavy Metal Parking Lot"?

here is a link to the video online http://www.planetkrulik.com/hmpl.htm

here is a link to what Heavy Metal Parking Lot is about. http://www.heavymetalparkinglot.net/

Classic film!

Ok , Judas is Ok, but Iron Maiden,
come ON, that guys throwing guitars to the sky and twisting arround their neck and that eddie guy is just pathetic. :/

SCRRREAMING SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE!!

Priest rocks! I can't wait for the new album.

I fell out after Halford left and could never get into "Ripper"