In interviews surrounding the announcement, frontman **Rob Halford** made it clear that, while the tour pays homage to *Painkiller’s* legacy, the entire album **will not** be performed in full. Instead, expect **a powerful block of key tracks** interspersed with songs from *Invincible Shield* (their most recent LP), timeless classics, and some deeper album cuts. Halford explained:
> “We’re gonna go and show *Painkiller* off. Not in its entirety… maybe a ‘Painkiller’ song, a couple of others, a ‘Painkiller’ song, a couple of others.” ([metalsucks.net][1])
He emphasized it’s a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” experience that balances the fan‑required hits with fresh surprises .
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## Mandatory staples
As with any Priest show, certain songs are **non‑negotiable**. Rob puts it plainly: skip *Breaking the Law* and you’ll face a fan revolt—same for *Painkiller* ([blabbermouth.net][2]). So you can count on:
* **“Breaking the Law”**
* **“Painkiller”** (at least once—not necessarily the full album)
* **“Hell Bent for Leather”**, **“Electric Eye”**, **“Turbo Lover”**, etc.
Halford confirmed these are staples embedded into the band’s DNA—and that they’re expected ([blabbermouth.net][2], [reddit.com][3]).
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## Emphasis on *Invincible Shield* and *Painkiller*
Setlist speculation across r/JudasPriest reveals fans expect a solid representation of both recent albums. One wrote:
> “Several songs from their latest album (Panic, Trial, title track, Crown, Devil) and from *Painkiller* – title track and anything except probably *Metal Meltdown*…” ([reddit.com][4])
Another detailed a provisional lineup:
> “Panic Attack, Crown of Horns, Invincible Shield, Devil in Disguise, Giants in the Sky, Painkiller, A Touch of Evil…” ([blabbermouth.net][5], [reddit.com][6])
These tracklists hint at selections such as:
* From *Invincible Shield*: **“Panic Attack”**, **“Invincible Shield”**, **“Crown of Horns”**, **“Trial by Fire”**, **“As God Is My Witness”**, **“Gates of Hell”**, **“Devil in Disguise”**, **“Giants in the Sky”**
* From *Painkiller*: **“Painkiller”**, **“A Touch of Evil”**, **“All Guns Blazing”**, **“Between the Hammer and the Anvil”**, among others
Michael Brooks of MetalSucks confirms that the band will feature **“clumps of *Painkiller* material,”** blending it with other key catalogue songs ([metalsucks.net][1], [reddit.com][6]).
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## Deep cuts to satisfy long-time fans
Halford also emphasized “two or three deep cuts” are baked into the tour, as fans and the band weigh-in on playlists encompassing **60–70** staple tunes ([blabbermouth.net][2]). Reddit chatter reflects this sentiment:
> “They should play some *Angel of Retribution* songs since it’s the 20th anniversary.” ([bravewords.com][7], [reddit.com][4])
> “Between the Hammer and the Anvil” and “As God Is My Witness” are highly discussed .
Look out for these rarities alongside fan favorites.
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## Opening and structure
From similar tours (*Invincible Shield*), *Panic Attack* has become the go-to opener, often followed by newer tracks and then the classic metal anthems . Setlist.fm stats from Mexico and Brazil shows the *Invincible Shield* tour regularly featured:
* 3 songs from *Invincible Shield*
* 1–2 from *Painkiller*
* Multiple classics spanning their back catalogue ([setlist.fm][8], [reddit.com][6], [reddit.com][4])
Expect a robust, paced show: an energetic rise through the newer material, a climactic *Painkiller* segment, and a sing-along‑filled encore.
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## Guest supports & tour scope
The European leg (June 14 – July 25, 2025) will feature **Saxon**, **Uriah Heep**, **Accept** (on German dates), and a headlining show with **Alice Cooper** at London’s O2 Arena ([bravewords.com][9], [blabbermouth.net][5]). It’s expected a US leg may follow later, though official confirmation is pending ([reddit.com][10]).
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## Sample set list (estimated structure)
Here’s how a 17–19 song set could be organized:
1. **Opening with *Invincible Shield*** – “Panic Attack” → “Invincible Shield” → “Crown of Horns”
2. **Transition to deeper Priest cuts** – choices might include “Devil in Disguise,” “As God Is My Witness” or “Between the Hammer and the Anvil”
3. **Classic Priest anthems** – “Electric Eye,” “Turbo Lover,” “Hell Bent for Leather”
4. **“Painkiller” suite** – “Painkiller,” “A Touch of Evil,” perhaps “All Guns Blazing”
5. **Encore finale** – “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” maybe “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”
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## Why this show matters
* **A unique celebration**: Halford describes it as a “rare, unique set,” honoring *Painkiller* in a way they’ve never before ([fr.wikipedia.org][11], [reddit.com][6], [reddit.com][12], [blabbermouth.net][13], [reddit.com][3], [bravewords.com][9]).
* **Band-wide cohesion**: They’re choosing together what resonates, balancing fan demand, physical stamina, and creative pride .
* **Once-in-a-career vibe**: Fans are warned—“you’ll only see the show once” in this form ([blabbermouth.net][13]).
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### 🎤 Final Word
The **“Shield Of Pain”** tour is shaping up to be a **masterfully balanced journey** through Judas Priest’s past, present, and legacy. Expect powerful selections from *Painkiller* and *Invincible Shield*, cornerstone classics beloved by generations, and unexpected gems that remind us how broad and deep this band’s catalogue is. With guest supports, anniversary nods, and Halford’s bold vow to make this a “once-in-a-lifetime” show—it promises to be a monumental statement for both the **Metal God** and his devoted followers.
[1]: https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/12/09/judas-priest-announce-shield-of-pain-european-tour-but-painkiller-wont-be-the-entire-show/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest Announce ‘Shield of Pain’ European Tour, But Painkiller Won’t Be the Entire Show | MetalSucks”
[2]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-rob-halford-on-setlist-for-invincible-shield-tour-therell-probably-be-at-least-two-or-three-deep-cuts?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JUDAS PRIEST’s ROB HALFORD On Setlist For ‘Invincible Shield’ Tour: ‘There’ll Probably Be At Least Two Or Three Deep Cuts’ – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1bmgjpe?utm_source=chatgpt.com “It’s your birthday. Judas is putting a show. What’s playing?”
[4]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1ixax02?utm_source=chatgpt.com “What songs will they perform on the upcoming tour?”
[5]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-announces-more-shield-of-pain-2025-european-tour-dates?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JUDAS PRIEST Announces More ‘Shield Of Pain’ 2025 European Tour Dates – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[6]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1gjae6n?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Shield of Pain Tour 2025”
[7]: https://bravewords.com/news/judas-priest-to-celebrate-painkiller-s-35th-anniversary-with-shield-of-pain-tour-2025-this-rare-unique-set-will-be-defending-the-metal-faith-in-a-truly-memorable-experience/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JUDAS PRIEST To Celebrate Painkiller’s 35th Anniversary With Shield Of Pain Tour 2025 – This Rare Unique Set Will Be Defending The Metal Faith In A Truly Memorable Experience”
[8]: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/judas-priest/2025/arena-monterrey-monterrey-mexico-7b5ef694.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest Concert Setlist at Arena Monterrey, Monterrey on May 7, 2025 | setlist.fm”
[9]: https://bravewords.com/news/judas-priest-to-celebrate-painkiller-s-35th-anniversary-with-shield-of-pain-tour-2025-this-rare-unique-set-will-be-defending-the-metal-faith-in-a-truly-memorable-experience?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JUDAS PRIEST To Celebrate Painkiller’s 35th Anniversary With \”Shield Of Pain\” Tour 2025 – \”This Rare Unique Set Will Be Defending The Metal Faith In A Truly Memorable Experience\” – BraveWords”
[10]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1irw411?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Shield of pain tour us leg”
[11]: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest”
[12]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/yrzx96?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Post every song you’ve seen performed live by Judas Priest, in person”
[13]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-judas-priest-wont-perform-entire-painkiller-album-on-shield-of-pain-tour?utm_source=chatgpt.com “ROB HALFORD Says JUDAS PRIEST Won’t Perform Entire ‘Painkiller’ Album On ‘Shield Of Pain’ Tour – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”