According to the band’s official website, Judas Priest is currently recording a new album. The information was revealed in the briefest of updates, saying simply, “the guys are working in the studio on their new album – and all is going is really well!”
The band also noted that they are “keeping the sites quiet” while the band is in the studio, which suggests that their primary focus right now is to complete the recordings for the new album. That is a strong sign that the band intends to release it in 2013.
In truth, it should not be difficult to avoid distractions in order to focus on the recordings, as the band is no longer a long-term touring unit, having concluded a ‘farewell’ tour in 2011 and 2012 that signaled the end of their international, dozens of dates touring period.
As Judas Priest fans should remember, that “Epitaph” tour, as the band named it, also marked the exit of guitarist and founding member K.K. Downing, who was an instrumental part of the songwriting process throughout the life of the band.
The band, of course, still includes the other two pillars of the songwriting trio, namely vocalist Rob Halford and guitarist Glenn Tripton.
This new album will be the first material to feature new guitarist Richie Faulkner, who was brought in to replace Downing as the band embarked on the Epitaph tour. Faulkner has, in fact, contributed to the songwriting process of this album, according to various interviews, so it remains to be seen what impact this new songwriting partner will have on the band’s sound.
What is likely already known, however, is that it will probably not bear much resemblance to Judas Priest’s last album, “Nostradamus”, which was released in 2008. “Nostradamus” was an epic concept album following the life of Nostradamus, and musically featured many elements that were atypical of the band’s sound.
To begin with, the album is over 100 minutes long, spanning two CDs (or three LPs), but the music also features a heavy use of synthesizer and operatic elements, as well as several interludes. Arguably the most ambitious album of the band’s career, “Nostradamus”, while drawing from elements throughout Priest’s catalogue, was an aberration that will not be repeated.
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