Although their farewell tour wraps up this December, British heavy metal rockers Judas Priest are assuring fans that they aren’t done yet: they still plan to keep releasing albums, with another one due out some time next year.
"This is not the end of Judas Priest. We’re just cutting back on these big, long treks around the world that we love to do," frontman Rob Halford told Billboard.
"But yet we’re facing mortality; as a metal singer I’m still able to do the vast majority of things that have laid out before me… but I’d be the first to admit that I’m finding it more challenging now, and I don’t want to get into that syndrome where you end up a little bit punch-drunk and you’re not giving the performance that you want to give…"
The aging musicians will pick their projects more carefully: "We’re able to continue doing selective shows in the future and, as importantly, keep recording and making new metal records."
Halford also revealed that the band has already made good progress on a new album, with over a dozen tracks "completely mapped out, four of which have been recorded and mixed and are ready to go…" He noted that a new LP should be released next year.