ROB HALFORD SAYS RICHIE FAULKNER’S PLAYING ON “FIREPOWER” IS “UNBELIEVABLE”
Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford says that upcoming album, Firepower, features some of the band’s best-ever work.
The 2018 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominees will release the follow-up to 2014’s Redeemer Of Souls early next year, with the first portion of a world tour already confirmed.
VintageRock.com caught up with the vocalist on the red carpet at this week’s Loudwire Music Awards, where the Metal God spoke about the new record – and praised guitarist Richie Faulkner’s work on the album.
Halford said, “This is what Priest lives for. We’re a hard-working metal band still making the metal 40-odd years later thanks to our glorious metal fans around the world.
So we make music now, obviously, still for our own pleasure and enjoyment – and the challenge of finding a new riff and a new melody is a great feeling.
We came off the Redeemer Of Souls tour, had a break and then we dove straight back into the second record with Richie. And it’s Richie’s moment, really, because when we did Redeemer Of Souls, it was his first time with Priest as a writer.
I think it was great how Richie coming into the band and then going through the writing experience and the world tour together really put him in a better place for when we went in to do Firepower.”
Halford added, “Richie’s playing is f–king unbelievable on this album. I think, as the writing team of Richie, Glenn Tipton and myself, this is some of our best work without a doubt.”
Further album details will be revealed in due course.
additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com
Richie Faulkner is indeed a talented guitarist and I think he is a perfect addition to Priest following the departure of K.K. Richie’s addition to the band also has reinvigorated them to continue as a band and create new music. And if the Metal God said Richie’s playing is “unbelievable”, then it must be…I’m stoked Priest is touring with Saxon next year and I plan to attend the Los Angeles show.
Totally agree, Rattlehead. While I will always wish that K.K. was still a member of the Priest, he left on his own terms and for his own reasons. I wish him nothing but the best. Richie has been a terrific addition to the band, and I agree that he is given them a new energy. I saw them on the Redeemer of Souls tour, and Richie had a great stage presence that compliments Glen and Rob really well. And, if the Metal God says that his playing on the new album is “unbelievable”, who am I to disagree? I look forward to FIREPOWER being released, and hope that they can add some dates to the tour near my area, so that I can attend.
Sitting on Richie side of the stage to see him shred,3/17/18 Long Island
Glen is the better player, but I was always a ‘KK’ guy. I just loved him on stage and he was fierce. Having said that Richie has integrated well with Priest and I can handle Priest with Richie.
The guys of Priest are smart to let the young gunslinger have more input. Really looking forward to “Firepower” release and tour. I’ll be there for their Colorado appearance.
I saw the last two tours and although I also miss KK, Priest couldn’t have picked a better player to fill Mr. Downing’s shoes. Epitaph tour I got on Glenn’s side of the stage, Redeemer I got on Richie’s. That’s how impressed I was with Faulkner the first show, and I got one of Richie’s picks. No shows this tour so far close to me, still going to try and hit one. Fingers double crossed there’s a second leg if I don’t.