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On document, Priest’s line-up is comprised of singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. However because of Tipton’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s illness, Andy Sneap (who additionally serves as Priest’s producer) fills in for dwell performances – which he can be doing as soon as extra on the band’s upcoming tour.
Hill spoke with AllMusic shortly earlier than the March 8, 2024 launch of Invincible Protect, discussing the brand new album, his picks for favourite and most underrated Priest album, and if a twentieth studio album is a chance.
How does Invincible Protect differ from earlier Judas Priest albums?
Hill: “As we often do, we take a step ahead and attempt to make issues higher each time. We’re nonetheless studying – in any case these years. So, we attempt to enhance on what we did beforehand. It has been an ongoing factor now since about 1974. No matter bell or whistle there’s, we’ll give it a go. If it really works, nice. If not? It is discarded. It is a step ahead from Firepower.”
What are a few of your favourite tracks on the brand new album?
Hill: “In the meanwhile, in all probability the title observe – it is obtained a number of elements to it. It goes again to these early, form of ‘Sufferer of Modifications’ sort issues – with the completely different turns, and bits and items to it. Different standout tracks are ‘Panic Assault,’ and ‘The Serpent and the King’ – that is only a actual ‘hold on and reserve it for the top of the set’ type of music. It is an actual quick one, an actual thrilling music.”
How is Glenn at present doing, and the way a lot of a job did he have within the writing and recording of the album?
Hill: “He is doing about in addition to anyone can – given the state of affairs. He is obtained a horrible illness there. It is stopping him from approaching tour. He simply hasn’t obtained the power to do it. Though he can do [guest appearances] – simply final fall we did that factor in California, Energy Journey, and he did the encores. However his mind continues to be working – he nonetheless comes up with these concepts and options. So, he is nonetheless obtained an enormous half to play – though he is sadly not on the highway anymore.”
What does Andy Sneap deliver to the band as a producer?
Hill: “His expertise – in a easy reply. He is a really, very intelligent bloke. His data of metallic is unparalleled. He is proven his expertise on the final album and on this one. He is a really explicit man. He will not accept something. He’ll preserve going again and doing issues, and remixing, and tweaking this and tweaking that – till he thinks it is excellent. And he brings out perfection to Judas Priest. He is a terrific asset.”
Sonically, what do you consider modern-day metallic albums in comparison with ’70s or ’80s metallic albums?
Hill: “Oh, properly even we do not sound like ’70s metallic albums anymore! [Laughs] Properly, it is improved, hasn’t it? The way in which issues are recorded and the gear that’s accessible today, you’ve gotten better high quality there, for one. The devices are higher, the strings are higher, the amplification is healthier, the recording gear – the whole lot has improved. It is modified past all description since we began in ’74. It sounds fully completely different. And the opposite factor is the countless quantity of tracks you possibly can placed on a document. After we began within the early ’70s, it was I believe eight tracks…it may need been sixteen. However positively no extra on the primary album [1974’s Rocka Rolla] – on the second album [1976’s Sad Wings of Destiny] it may need been 24-track. After which the final of the tape recordings would have in all probability been 48-track.”
How does the songwriting work within the band right now in comparison with earlier on?
Hill: “Just about the identical. Up till not too long ago, it was Glenn and Ken [KK Downing] would put the music collectively and Rob did the lyrics. Then in fact Ken’s spot has been taken over by Richie, and the standard is at the very least the identical – if not higher – with the songwriting. That is the best way it is at all times been, just about. There was a time after I’d throw just a few concepts collectively – however not for a very long time now. The lads do a terrific job, and if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.”
Which Priest songs did you’ve gotten a hand in writing again within the day?
Hill: “I had a hand in writing ‘Winter,’ and I believe the final one I wrote was ‘Invader.’ And ‘Dreamer Deceiver,’ I believe. However nothing since about ’78.”
Which Judas Priest album is your favourite and why?
Hill: “It is in all probability Defenders of the Religion. It was the top of that highway, actually. You’ll be able to hint the roots of that album all the best way again to Rocka Rolla. After that, we did the gorgeous a lot experimental Turbo – with guitar synthesizers. After which we ran off on a more durable edge altogether – with Ram It Down and Painkiller. I believe that is in all probability nonetheless my favourite from all these years in the past – as an entire.”
Which Priest album is essentially the most underrated?
Hill: “In all probability Level of Entry. We had been slighted with that – folks had been saying, ‘Oh, it is actually industrial.’ However at the very least it obtained us via to a extra mainstream viewers. In the event you get a music on…it was ‘AM radio,’ which is now ‘mainstream media’ I suppose, you get your self a observe on that, and your viewers expanded by a gazillion. Whereas simply maintaining it on the rock channels and the metallic channels – once more, the viewers is there, however you are not attempting to get your self throughout to any new followers. So, that is one. And the opposite ones are the Ripper albums [1997’s Jugulator and 2001’s Demolition]. Particularly Demolition is ignored.”
Are you continue to in contact with KK Downing and would you ever think about working with him once more?
Hill: “I believe he is gone a bit too far for that now. I gave him a few possibilities to principally say hiya, and he blanked me. So, he ain’t going to get one other probability. It is a pity the best way it is turned out. However issues are what they’re.”
What are some reminiscences of when Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2022?
Hill: “Shock, I believe. I had completely no concept what it was going to be. I used to be anticipating possibly just a little presentation ceremony. I by no means knew it was going to be as massive a deal because it was. I used to be leaning two methods to start with to start out with – take it or depart it. However I am so glad we did it. On the finish of the day, it was only a nice dwell present – all these completely different bands getting on a stage, enjoying fully completely different music for essentially the most half. And everybody at the very least appreciated it for its musical worth. You won’t prefer it, however…I nearly obtained rap! Virtually obtained it, however not fairly. It was simply an enormous occasion. I used to be amazed at how big it was. I am glad we did it ultimately.”
Do you suppose by Priest lastly getting inducted, it could open the doorways for different heavy metallic bands, like Iron Maiden, Skinny Lizzy, and Slayer?
Hill: “That is what I hope for. We have been ignored as a style for a very long time now. Possibly this may – possibly it’ll crack the ice just a little bit.”
What can followers anticipate from the upcoming tour?
Hill: “It is going to be the same old massive Priest manufacturing. All of the important elements can be there – lights, flashes, bangs, cinemas…all of the elements of a Priest manufacturing can be there.”
Was the Energy Journey efficiency and expertise on par with the US Competition?
Hill: “That is a troublesome one, as a result of it was a unique idea. The US Competition went on for about three days [in 1983], and there have been a hell of lots of people there – there was one thing like 300,000 folks at that one. That is not to remove from the Energy Journey Competition we did – as a result of that was wonderful, as properly. And if you suppose there have been solely six bands on, that made it all of the extra particular, I suppose. I do not know what the up-and-coming bands considered that, seeing as they did not get a chunk of the motion, however once more, it was one other great point to do. I absolutely loved it. You are mixing with all of the previous guys, as properly – I spoke with the Metallica lads, a few Maiden lads came visiting, as properly. It was good to see them, it actually was.”
Invincible Protect is Priest’s nineteenth studio album general. What are the probabilities of a twentieth?
Hill: “Oh, we’ll see. There is not any motive why not in the intervening time. We will play this one first, after which take a breather, after which see the place we go from there. It will be a pleasant quantity to complete on.”
For more information, go to the Judas Priest official web site.
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