JUDAS PRIEST's ROB HALFORD: 'What We're Doing Right Now Is Some Of Our Best Metal'

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was interviewed on the June 12-14 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the Podbean widget below. A couple of excerpts follow.

Full Metal Jackie: [The latest JUDAS PRIEST album] "Redeemer Of Souls" met a really great response. How much does a response to an album influence the direction of the next one?

Halford: Well, I wouldn't say that it influences the direction so much as you get so pumped and stoked by the reaction from the fans and people like yourself on your show. Everybody ran to that album with so much love and so much… "It's PRIEST. The PRIEST is back with this follow-up, the first real studio album since 'Nostradamus'." Everybody was hungry for a new PRIEST record as they know PRIEST to be. So it was just sensational. And the inspiration is that it gives you [is] that we're now thinking, when this touring cycle ends, to getting to writing mode to do another one. That's the inspiration you guys that bought the record, you guys that come and see the show [give us through your support]… That's motivation. Every band needs that. So you guys are in all of this story, as well call it, and we thank you very much for that.

Full Metal Jackie: Your performances throughout the tour supporting "Redeemer Of Souls" have been praised as vintage Halford. What was different about your mindset going into this touring cycle?

Halford: I think the point that we're at now with this band is, it seems like every show is an event, to some extent. I mean, the fact that this is the umpteenth double-digits studio album, hundreds of songs later, these are just moments that we cherish more than ever, I think. And there's a little bit of that now each time we walk on stage. This show, the next show… they're all vital to the band in a lot of different ways. So, all of us are just… we're roaring right now. It's, like, again, any band will tell you when you've been on the road for a while, you know internally what you've gotta do. All your bandmates are thinking it. You don't have to talk about it. You know instinctively what you've gotta do when you get dressed and you walk to that stage. So I think that what we're doing right now is some of our best metal, quite frankly. And we're all really, really proud of what we're pouring out through the speakers.

Full Metal Jackie: Was there a point where you realized that JUDAS PRIEST music transcended simple entertainment and became something that was more important to people?

Halford: Well, you do now with social media, more than ever before, because you can read what's on people's minds. I've just started this Instagram thing @RobHalfordLegacy, which I've never done before. And I've got all these cool pictures [that I've been posting]. And people make comments. And you're getting instant feedback. So some of the great things that our fans have been saying, again, it makes you more determined to go out there and… We've always given a thousand percent, but we're trying to push even further now. So, yeah, you try not to dwell on it too much, because the pressure, if you want to call it that, can be a bit crushing if you're not too careful. The thing is, any band, you go out there and have a blast, have a great time. That's what you're there to do. Have a blast playing together and for your fans. The reason that you're on that stage is because of your fans. So that's your focus. If you start to think a little bit too much about the other stuff, it can be a bit [overwhelming]. I hope I don't trip up and fall into the orchestra pit, which I've done on many an occasion. But it's all a part of this wonderful time that PRIEST is having now, and it's great.

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