Metal legends Judas Priest will release a sprawling double disc concept album, called “Nostradamus” (Epic), on June 17 in the U.S. and a day earlier in the UK/Europe via Columbia Records. As with all Priest releases, the group will mount a mammoth worldwide tour in support of the album. Among their stops are several metal festivals, including the 2008 Download Festival on a bill also featuring Kiss which will serve as a homecoming of sorts for the group as they performed at the first-ever ‘Monsters of Rock Festival’ at Donington Park in 1980.
Priest’s Euoropean/UK dates run June 3 in Helsinki, Finland to July 13 in Istanbul, Turkey. Their North American leg begins July 22 in Seattle, WA. Dates are confirmed through July 30, with more to be announced.
Long in the works, “Nostradamus” takes epic storytelling to a whole new level as it recounts the life of this mysterious, world-known 16th Century French prophet. Some of the events that Nostradamus experts have interpreted as his predictions include the great fire of London in 1666, the rise of Adolf Hitler, and most recently, 9/11, among countless other renowned events.
“As in any concept piece, the lifeline needs to be of a solid source, taking the music over many levels of interest and perception,” singer Rob Halford said in a statement. “’Nostradamus’ contains new frontiers explored and defined. The sense of adventure and the journey we undertook bringing the man’s life alive with metal was a real labour of love.”
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal’s most successful bands, with classic albums as 1980’s “British Steel,” 1982’s “Screaming for Vengeance,” and 1990’s “Painkiller,” and arena-rocking anthems such as “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.”
In addition to the regular jewel case double CD version of the album, there will also be a copy of a Deluxe Double CD housed in a 48 page hardbound book package. A Super Deluxe Box-set version will also be available with triple vinyl, the double CD, an expanded booklet and a poster.
Judas Priest itinerary:
June
3 FIN Helsinki, Icehall
5 SWE Solvesborg, Sweden Rock Festival
7 NOR Trondhiem, Rock Festival
8 NOR Bergen, Bergenshall
11 LUX, Esch-sur-Alzette, Rockhal
13 ENG Leicestershire, Donnington Park/Download Festival
15 AUS Vienna, Nova Rock Festival
16 SLO Bratislavaia, Incheba
17 CZE Ostrava, Cez Arena
20 SPA Bilbao, Kobetasonik Festival
22 HOL Wolle, Ijsselhal
23 GER Susseldorf, Philipshalle
24 GER Munich, Zenith
25 SWI Huttwil, National Sportzentrum
27 BEL GraspopMetal Festival
28 GER Stuttgart, Bang Your Head Festival
29 ITA Bologna, Gods of Metal Festival
July
1 SER Belgrade, Castle Festival
2 CRO Zagreb, Dom Sportova
3 CZE Prague, Liberec Arena
5 DEN Roskile, Roskilde Festival
9 GRE Athens, Rockwave Festival
11 ROM Bucharest, Aftershock
13 TUR Instanbul, Turkcell Kuruceme
22 WA Seattle WAMU Theatre
23 BC Victoria, Save On Foods Memorial Centre
24 BC Vancouver, General Motors Place
26 AB Calgary, McMahon Stadium (Ozzfest)
27 AB Edmonton, Shaw Conference Centre
29 SK Saskatoon, Credit Union Centre
30 MB Winnipeg, MTS Centre
