It was a night destined to go down in metal history: under the warm Italian sky at the iconic **Ferrara Summer Festival**, legendary British metal titans **Judas Priest** roared to life to celebrate the **35th anniversary** of one of their most groundbreaking albums — *Painkiller*. For thousands of devoted fans who gathered from across Europe and beyond, it was far more than just a concert. It was a full-throttle tribute to an era-defining masterpiece that redefined heavy metal’s speed, aggression, and power.
Released in 1990, *Painkiller* marked a turning point in Judas Priest’s career — an album that blended soaring vocals, relentless double-bass drumming, and razor-sharp riffs into a sound that would influence generations of bands. And three and a half decades later, the fire still burns bright.
**An entrance worthy of metal royalty**
As the stage lights dimmed and the first pounding notes of “Painkiller” shook the ancient walls of Ferrara’s historic piazza, the atmosphere became electric. Fans erupted in cheers, fists raised to the night sky as **Rob Halford**, the iconic “Metal God,” made his entrance in signature leather and studs, still exuding the commanding presence that has defined him for decades.
From the opening song, it was clear that age has done nothing to dull Priest’s ferocity. Halford’s piercing vocals, still astonishingly powerful, soared above the thunderous guitars of **Richie Faulkner** and **Andy Sneap**, and the crushing rhythm section anchored by **Ian Hill** and **Scott Travis** — whose double-kick drumming on “Painkiller” remains one of metal’s defining moments.
**A setlist forged in steel**
The band delivered the album almost in its entirety, and fans reveled in hearing beloved tracks like “Hell Patrol,” “All Guns Blazing,” and the brooding “Night Crawler” live. Each song felt like a celebration not just of Judas Priest’s legacy, but of the enduring spirit of heavy metal itself — fierce, rebellious, and larger than life.
Halford, often pausing to soak in the deafening chants of *“Priest! Priest! Priest!”*, addressed the crowd with heartfelt words:
> *“Thirty-five years ago, we made an album that changed us — and all of you kept it alive. Tonight, this is our thank you!”*
**Moments that moved even the hardest hearts**
In a particularly moving segment, the band paid tribute to former guitarist **K.K. Downing** and drummer **Dave Holland**, acknowledging their roles in the creation of *Painkiller*. Fans lit up the night with phone lights and lighters, transforming the festival grounds into a sea of flickering stars.
For many, the highlight was Halford’s performance of the title track “Painkiller.” At 73, his screams remain spine-chilling — a testament to both his legendary technique and his indomitable spirit.
**Fans from every corner of the world**
The Ferrara Summer Festival itself became a meeting ground for the global metal community. Fans from the UK, Germany, the US, South America, and Asia gathered, many wearing vintage *Painkiller* shirts, denim vests covered in patches, and homemade signs thanking Priest for 50+ years of music.
One lifelong fan from Brazil shared: *“I saved for a year to be here. ‘Painkiller’ taught me strength when I was a kid, and tonight, it feels like coming home.”*
**More than nostalgia: a promise of more to come**
While the night honored the past, Judas Priest also reminded fans they’re far from done. Halford teased, *“We’re still writing. The metal is strong, and so are we!”* — sparking excited speculation about new music.
As the final chords of “Living After Midnight” rang out and the band took their bows, there was a shared sense among everyone in Ferrara: this was more than a concert. It was a living monument to the power of heavy metal, forged by a band whose passion still burns as fiercely as it did 35 years ago.
And as the crowd slowly drifted into the warm Italian night, the echo of *“Painkiller!”* still hung in the air — proof that true metal never ages; it only gets louder.