The sad wings of destiny have begun to roll up, metal fans. Proving just how long-in-the-tooth our beloved scene is becoming, legendary genre forefathers Judas Priest have announced that after four decades of "ramming it down" our throats (take that as you will), their forthcoming tour will be their last.
The cryptically titled "Epitaph" jaunt kicks off in mid-2011 with a string of festival dates before ostensibly winding its way around the world and back to their beloved homeland of Britain. No dates beyond the aforementioned major gigs have been released but be assured they're on the way.
Why are Judas Priest packing it in? No real reason other than age. Keep in mind that these guys are pushing 60 and probably want to get out before things really start to deteriorate (looking in Ozzy Osbourne's direction).
In terms of what the bittersweet stint will feature music-wise, Priest allegedly confirmed to fellow metal fiends Noisecreep that they will ensure to, "hit all their major markets and that they will develop a set list of the songs that made them a metal institution and household name since their inception."
Interestingly, the band have not commented on whether or not they will retire from recording new music. Their last studio release was 2008 concept album Nostradamus which received widely mixed reviews.
Tour dates:
6/9 Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
6/11 Teuva, Finland - Sauna Festival
6/17 Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell Festival
6/19 Nantes, France - Hellfest
6/22 Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal Festival
6/25 Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
7/23 London, UK - High Voltage Festival
8/5 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany - Wacken Open Air Festival
The cryptically titled "Epitaph" jaunt kicks off in mid-2011 with a string of festival dates before ostensibly winding its way around the world and back to their beloved homeland of Britain. No dates beyond the aforementioned major gigs have been released but be assured they're on the way.
Why are Judas Priest packing it in? No real reason other than age. Keep in mind that these guys are pushing 60 and probably want to get out before things really start to deteriorate (looking in Ozzy Osbourne's direction).
In terms of what the bittersweet stint will feature music-wise, Priest allegedly confirmed to fellow metal fiends Noisecreep that they will ensure to, "hit all their major markets and that they will develop a set list of the songs that made them a metal institution and household name since their inception."
Interestingly, the band have not commented on whether or not they will retire from recording new music. Their last studio release was 2008 concept album Nostradamus which received widely mixed reviews.
Tour dates:
6/9 Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
6/11 Teuva, Finland - Sauna Festival
6/17 Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhell Festival
6/19 Nantes, France - Hellfest
6/22 Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal Festival
6/25 Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
7/23 London, UK - High Voltage Festival
8/5 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany - Wacken Open Air Festival
