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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 resulting from Tipton’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s illness, Andy Sneap (who additionally serves as Priest’s producer) fills in for stay performances – which he will likely 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 Defend, 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 Defend differ from earlier Judas Priest albums?
Hill: “As we normally 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 may be, 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 intervening time, in all probability the title observe – it is bought quite a lot of elements to it. It goes again to these early, kind of ‘Sufferer of Modifications’ kind issues – with the totally 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 ‘cling on and reserve it for the tip of the set’ form of tune. It is an actual quick one, an actual thrilling tune.”
How is Glenn at present doing, and the way a lot of a task 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 bought a horrible illness there. It is stopping him from approaching tour. He simply hasn’t bought 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 remains to be working – he nonetheless comes up with these concepts and strategies. So, he is nonetheless bought an enormous half to play – though he is sadly not on the street anymore.”
What does Andy Sneap carry to the band as a producer?
Hill: “His expertise – in a easy reply. He is a really, very intelligent bloke. His information of steel 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 hold going again and doing issues, and remixing, and tweaking this and tweaking that – till he thinks it is good. And he brings out perfection to Judas Priest. He is a terrific asset.”
Sonically, what do you consider modern-day steel albums in comparison with ’70s or ’80s steel albums?
Hill: “Oh, properly even we do not sound like ’70s steel albums anymore! [Laughs] Effectively, it is improved, hasn’t it? The way in which issues are recorded and the tools that’s obtainable lately, you’ve got higher high quality there, for one. The devices are higher, the strings are higher, the amplification is healthier, the recording tools – every little thing has improved. It is modified past all description since we began in ’74. It sounds fully totally different. And the opposite factor is the limitless quantity of tracks you may placed on a document. Once we began within the early ’70s, it was I believe eight tracks…it might 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 might 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 immediately in comparison with earlier on?
Hill: “Just about the identical. Up till lately, 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 least the identical – if not higher – with the songwriting. That is the way in which it is at all times been, just about. There was a time once I’d throw a number of 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 got 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 tip of that street, actually. You’ll be able to hint the roots of that album all the way in which again to Rocka Rolla. After that, we did the beautiful a lot experimental Turbo – with guitar synthesizers. After which we ran off on a tougher 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 probably the most underrated?
Hill: “Most likely Level of Entry. We had been slighted with that – individuals had been saying, ‘Oh, it is actually business.’ However at the least it bought us via to a extra mainstream viewers. In the event you get a tune on…it was once ‘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 holding it on the rock channels and the steel 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 contemplate working with him once more?
Hill: “I believe he is gone a bit too far for that now. I gave him a few probabilities to principally say whats up, and he blanked me. So, he ain’t going to get one other likelihood. It is a pity the way in which 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 thought what it was going to be. I used to be anticipating perhaps somewhat presentation ceremony. I by no means knew it was going to be as large a deal because it was. I used to be leaning two methods to start with to start out with – take it or go away it. However I am so glad we did it. On the finish of the day, it was only a nice stay present – all these totally different bands getting on a stage, taking part in fully totally different music for probably the most half. And everybody at the least appreciated it for its musical worth. You may not prefer it, however…I nearly bought rap! Nearly bought it, however not fairly. It was simply an enormous occasion. I used to be amazed at how enormous 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 steel 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. Perhaps this may – perhaps it’s going to crack the ice somewhat bit.”
What can followers anticipate from the upcoming tour?
Hill: “Will probably be the same old large Priest manufacturing. All of the important elements will likely be there – lights, flashes, bangs, cinemas…all of the parts of a Priest manufacturing will likely 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 special 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 individuals at that one. That is not to remove from the Energy Journey Competition we did – as a result of that was superb, 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 bit of the motion, however once more, it was one other good thing 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 to visit, as properly. It was good to see them, it actually was.”
Invincible Defend is Priest’s nineteenth studio album general. What are the probabilities of a twentieth?
Hill: “Oh, we’ll see. There is no motive why not in the meanwhile. 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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