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 When it comes to metal, they don’t get much bigger than JUDAS PRIEST. Cited by many as arguably the most influential metal band of all time, it is big news when they unleash a new album and embark on a world tour, taking in Brisbane September. ARTHUR KARRAS talks to founding member IAN HILL about the instant epic Nostradamus.
For the uninitiated or ignorant, Nostradamus was a world-known 16th Century French prophet. His supporters would have you believe his predictions included; the great fire of London, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the 9/11 attacks, among others.
His detractors say the work is so cryptic and general, any event could be attributed in hindsight, making him a possible fraud. The intrigue surrounding the man and his work, appealed enough to Judas Priest to study the man, his work and his life, and deliver us their findings in the form of the aptly titled Nostradamus concept album.
“It’s a massive piece of work for us. After the Angel Of Retribution album we were glad to have Rob Halford back in the band after a decade away. He is Judas Priest. As a band we started to write new material, when our manager came up with the idea of a concept album on the life and times of Nostradamus. We all kind of laughed initially, but K.K., Glenn and Rob really got stuck into the project and it was like watching them go back to school. The research was exhaustive. We haven’t all come out of it devotees to the man, and I still think a lot of it is possibly a load of crap, but as a story of a man, it’s an immense one and musically it’s been such a challenge and progression for us and after all these years in this business it’s great to have that feeling.”
The albums will be a surprise to most fans, but most will stay loyal to the cause Priest. There may not be the ear shattering moments of previous classics such as Freewheel Burning or Painkiller, but over time, these albums will gain the respect of fans for being what they are. Just getting through the two albums is a feat in itself as I prepared for this interview.
“There are 14 definitive songs over the two albums, but there are several links and orchestral passages and the albums are designed to be listened to as a body of work. It’s not a pop album with three hit jingles, it’s a massive body of work designed to be listened to in one sitting. Fans might hear some things they haven’t heard before with the choral pieces, the orchestration, but make no mistake about it, this is still a Judas Priest record and of course it’s still going to be heavy.”
While the band may be getting on a bit and this may be their softest work to date, their reputation and legend grows day by day. Ian Hill knows he is part of a band that has defined a genre and spawned countless imitators but still sounds humble and takes it all in his stride. There have been countless documentaries, tribute albums, send-ups and confessions from bands listing Judas Priest as the ultimate inspiration. Even fashion label Princess Highway, has knocked off the classic Judas Priest logo.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved. When I formed this band way back in 1970 I had no grand plan. KK Downing and I, were just mates from school that wanted to play some music. We have a great family among us and like family we have our good and bad days, but without sounding nostalgic, yeah it’s pretty cool what we have achieved”.
NOSTRADAMUS is out on June 14t on Sony/BMG. JUDAS PRIEST will be joined by CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and play the BEC September 10. Tickets are on sale Friday June 13 at ticketek.com.au.
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