JUDAS PRIEST are deep in the recording process for their follow-up to 2024's Invincible Shield, and bassist IAN HILL says things are going exceptionally well. In a recent interview, Hill confirmed that the majority of backing tracks are already complete, with frontman ROB HALFORD currently recording his vocal parts in Phoenix, Arizona.
The new album is shaping up to be a different beast from its predecessor. Hill described the material as "a little bit more traditional" and "a lot more direct" than Invincible Shield — though not as stripped-down as the band's iconic British Steel era. "It's shaping up to be a great classic Priest album," he stated plainly, and given the band's unbroken run of quality in recent decades, that claim carries real weight.
Guitarist RICHIE FAULKNER had previously revealed that the band convened near Nashville in February to record drums together — mirroring the approach used for their celebrated 2018 album Firepower. With drums, bass, and rhythm guitars now captured, Faulkner has been completing his solo parts from his own home studio.
As for timing, Hill suggested the album could arrive around March or April 2027, pending the record label's schedule. The possibility of one additional track being added to the record remains open.
Looking at the bigger picture, Hill remained philosophical when asked about JUDAS PRIEST's long-term future. He acknowledged that the band has survived lineup changes throughout its more than 50-year career and could theoretically carry on with new members. But for now, JUDAS PRIEST are focused on delivering what sounds like another landmark record.