One of the worlds most popular and influential Heavy Metal bands – Judas Priest are set to rock the UK to it’s very core when they bring their ‘Priest Feast’ tour to play 7 arena dates in February 2009 with support from special guests – Thrash Metal veterans Megadeth and Testament.
Since 1974, Judas Priest has been one of heavy metal’s most successful bands, issuing such all-time classic albums as 1980’s ‘British Steel,’ 1982’s ‘Screaming for Vengeance,’ and 1990’s ‘Painkiller,’ and such arena-rocking anthems as “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” However, Priest’s influence goes far beyond their music – they were the first metal band to embrace the ‘leather biker look,’ a fashion that has since become synonymous with the musical genre. Additionally, Halford’s powerful four-and-a-half octave vocal range and the twin guitar harmonies of Downing and Tipton have been ‘studied’ by countless metal bands in Priest’s wake.
Think ‘Double vinyl, gatefold sleeve concept album,’ and some of rock’s all-time classic recordings come to mind. But in the realm of heavy metal, there has never been a double vinyl (now disc!) concept album that has managed to balance a thought-provoking storyline with metallic thunder. That was, until now. Metal legends JUDAS PRIEST released their sprawling double disc concept album, ‘Nostradamus’ via Columbia Records on Monday, June 16th in the UK/Europe, and a day later in the US on Epic Records.
MEGADETH
As one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, Megadeth have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, including six consecutive platinum albums, with seven consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. Megadeth has remained a vital element in continuing to define and redefine the sound and the fury of metal music and with each new album, forges new ground and stretches the very boundaries where metal lives.
TESTAMENT
Testament was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980’s. Undoubtedly, they are the inventors of the thrash-metal wheel. Testament’s powerful sound, influence, and longevity make them one of the Top 5 All-Time Legendary Thrash Metal Bands, putting them in the company of Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, and Anthrax. They re-formed with the original line up (vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson & Alex Skolnick, and bassist Greg Christian – along with friend and former member, Paul Bostaph) to record their 9th studio album – their first in nearly a decade entitled ‘Formation of Damnation’ (released April this year) which also won them ‘Best Album’ at the Metal Hammer ‘Golden Gods’ Awards this summer.
Having the opportunity to see 3 such important and influential bands within the world of Metal on the same bill is cause for excitement. Make sure you don’t miss the chance to witness Metal history in the making and ensure you are part of Priest Feast 2009.
‘PRIEST FEAST’
JUDAS PRIEST
With Special Guests Megadeth and Testament
February
Friday 13 Sheffield Arena
Saturday 14 Birmingham LG Arena
Monday 16 Glasgow SECC Hall 4
Tuesday 17 Manchester Arena
Wednesday 18 Nottingham Arena
Friday 20 Cardiff Arena
Saturday 21 Wembley Arena
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