Only Heavy Metal

Wherever they are tonight, when daylight finally gives way to several thousand metal maniacs, Rob Halford will gaze out at the crowd and wonder where he is.

"It's the same no matter where we play," the Judas Priest frontman says from his Luxembourg hotel room hours before taking the stage. "That's the joy of heavy metal music. We can walk out on a stage anywhere in the world and get the same reaction. The Japanese react the same way as the people in Texas, and the people in Texas react the same as the people in Rome.

"There's just this real love and passion for metal music and for Priest. That's a wonderful thing."

Currently tearing their way through Europe in support of the recently-released "Nostradamus" - the band's 16th studio album - Halford, 56, says this incarnation of Priest is one that's still very much full of ambition and new ideas.

Of course, Halford is talking as much about the veteran U.K. metal act's enduring live show as he is their decision after over three decades to release Priest's first-ever concept album.

"I can't remember how long it's been, but I know that we've had conversations about doing a concept release more than once," he says. "It has been lurking in the wings for many, many years."


Manager Bill Curbishley knew that the band had tossed the idea around every now and then, so he gave them an idea the fivesome couldn't resist. "A lot of concept records are really just made-up fantasy," Halford says. "But the idea of giving Nostradamus the heavy metal treatment was one that kind of stuck."

Knee deep in books about the 16th century prophet, which provided the jumping off point for the double-disc set, Halford says Priest quickly became enthused with the idea of telling Nostradamus' life story. "We could have gone and done another studio record, but this just fired us all up and we couldn't wait to get stuck into the project."

Sketching out many of the disc's 23 tracks on piano - a Priest first, Halford admits - serrated guitars and wailing vocals embellish a tale that chronicles Nostradamus' entire life. But it's not the same straight forward metal that pulsated through 2005's "Angel of Retribution."

Strings, keyboards and multi-lingual vocals (Halford sings in English, French and Italian) make this the most ambitious Priest record yet. "Using different instruments and different arrangements," Halford says, "gives the sound a completely different atmospheric feel."

Emphasizing that the record is really meant to be experienced as a book or a film, and not one or two song samplings, Halford lets slip that the band are planning on showcasing "Nostradamus" in a series of themed "special event" shows.

"If we didn't play it live in its entirety, I think we would regret it," he says. "It'll be a real treat when we do play the whole thing live. We'll surround it with a great stage set, costumes and we'll do it at a storied venue like (London's) Royal Albert Hall. That will be a first for Priest; we've never ventured into that kind of experience."

Lately there has been a resurgence of interest in metal. Ozzfest is routinely one of the summer's top draws and newer acts like Disturbed continue to chart high. Even alternative-friendly music festivals like Denmark's Roskilde are getting edgier, slotting Priest alongside Neil Young and Jay-Z next month.

Dismissing any talk that this just means hard rock has come back in fashion, Halford says, "I think metal has had just about every genre thrown at it. And still, so many new denominations of metal keep emerging. These days you have death metal, European metal, American-style metal and if something else comes up, I'll be delighted. It will be great to have a fresh metal experience."

With newer bands sprouting up almost monthly, each carefully coiffed and poised to be anointed the next kings of rock, Halford says he's comfortable with Priest's place in rock 'n' roll lore.

"We count our blessings we came along when we did," he says. "You look at today's situation, a band that's doing incredibly well right now, could be elsewhere in two, three years. It's very, very difficult to maintain a level of success in today's music industry.

"We've been fortunate to be able to put on the kinds of shows that people remember and want to come back and re-experience again and again. And what we're finding when we go onstage nowadays is that the front row is absolutely crammed with all these new metal heads.

"Barely into their teens, there they are, going crazy for Priest," he says. "They're seeking us out. So the journey is ongoing. I really can't see the end."

Judas Priest performs at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre August 13.

"Nostradamus" is in stores now.

These days you have death metal, European metal, American-style metal and if something else comes up, I'll be delighted.

Puestos en las listas de ventas (1ª Semana):

Finland: #3
Sweden: #5
Germany: #5
Canada: #9
USA: #11
Norway: #12
Austria: #13
Australia: #16
Spain: #26
UK: #30

Esta claro donde va a cuajar mas este disco... en el reino del POWELLLLLLL

Anda que un 30 en su tierra....... (que cada uno lo tome como quiera)
Por cierto (pa crispar un poquillo), si los Maiden tocan enterito en su gira el AMOLAD son unos pringaos, pero si lo hace Judas.........

Por cierto (pa crispar un poquillo), si los Maiden tocan enterito en su gira el AMOLAD son unos pringaos, pero si lo hace Judas.........

Esta claro donde va a cuajar mas este disco... en el reino del POWELLLLLLL

Anda que un 30 en su tierra....... (que cada uno lo tome como quiera)
Por cierto (pa crispar un poquillo), si los Maiden tocan enterito en su gira el AMOLAD son unos pringaos, pero si lo hace Judas.........

Por cierto (pa crispar un poquillo), si los Maiden tocan enterito en su gira el AMOLAD son unos pringaos, pero si lo hace Judas.........