The heavy metal legends, Judas Priest, have announced their 2025 ‘Shield Of Pain’ Tour which coincides with the 35th Anniversary of their 12th studio album ‘Painkiller’. The tour will see the ‘Breaking the Law’ performers host 12 shows across Europe in June and July of next year, including stops in: Norway, Switzerland, France and four shows in Germany.
Judas Priests’ tour announcement came after the conclusion of their North American tour. This tour saw the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers perform tracks from their latest album ‘Invincible Shield’ with its tracks ‘Panic Attack’, ‘The Serpent and the King’ and ‘Gates of Hell’, along with other notable tracks from the group’s legendary discography.
Hailing from Birmingham, UK during the 1970s, Judas Priest have established a reputation amongst the heavy metal genre of being one of the greatest metal bands of all time. They have over 50 million album sales to their name and are considered the pioneers of new wave heavy metal within Britain. Their contribution to the genre has seen them have prominent influence in the heavy metal subgenres of speed metal, thrash metal and hard rock, particularly through their ascendence into the industry in the 1980s after the commercial and mainstream success of their sixth studio album, ‘British Steel’. With their title of ‘legends’ within the heavy metal community, Judas Priest continue to provide infectious heavy metal albums to their fans through their regular album releases and live renditions of their most iconic tracks.
In a social media post announcing the ‘Shield Of Pain’ Tour, the metal icons revealed their upcoming European gigs will feature a “rare” and “unique” set which will include “beloved classics” alongside live renditions of their latest album ‘Invincible Shield’, which will be a “truly memorable experience” for attendees.
SHIELD OF PAIN TOUR 2025 pic.twitter.com/nxmV0VO56j
— Judas Priest (@judaspriest) November 6, 2024
These ‘beloved classics’ will see considerable attention paid to ‘Painkiller’, their 12th studio album, as it encounters its 35th anniversary. Judas Priest released their critically acclaimed album, ‘Painkiller’ on September 14, 1990. The album featured drummer Scott Travis’ first LP contributions to Judas Priest after the departure of Dave Holland. Along with the last album to feature vocal contributions from Rob Halford, the band’s lead vocalist, until his return in 2005 for ‘Angel of Retribution’. Its lead single of the same name was branded a quintessential Judas Priest track, as the album incorporated inclusions of speed metal, taking Judas Priest to their iconic original sonic form. This moved the band away from their slightly tamer LPs ‘Turbo’ and‘Ram It Down’, released in the late 1980s.
The announcement of Judas Priest’s 2025 tour will mark the bands continued success in heavy metal, which remains highly anticipated for fans of legendary heavy metal acts. Despite only having announced European dates, there is a high likelihood the Birmingham-formed band will announce UK and Ireland dates in due course.
