Britain’s undisputed metal legends, **Judas Priest**, have stunned fans worldwide with a dual announcement: their eagerly awaited new studio album—*a follow-up to 2024’s **Invincible Shield***—is in the works, and they’re hitting the road for a mammoth tour through Europe and North America this year. Tongues are wagging and metal fists are raised in celebration.
—
## 🔥 New Album Incoming — Promise of 2026
Although the band hasn’t dropped a title yet, drummer **Scott Travis** revealed in an April 2025 interview that after wrapping up *Invincible Shield* in Nashville, England, and even on tour, the group aims to begin work on their *20th studio album* in **2026** ([blabbermouth.net][1]).
Guitarist **Richie Faulkner** echoed this in early April, telling Chile’s *PowerOfMetal.cl* that riffs and ideas are already flowing, and “*we’ve got ideas coming up all the time… we always talk about \[a follow‑up]*” ([blabbermouth.net][2]). And founding vocalist **Rob Halford** confirmed it’s “inevitable” they’ll record again ([blabbermouth.net][3]).
—
## 🎸 Tour of the Year — “Shield of Pain” across the Globe
### 🇪🇺 European Summer Armada
* **June–July 2025** kicks off the **Shield of Pain Tour**, honoring the 35th anniversary of *Painkiller*.
* Stops include Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, France, Luxembourg — plus **Scarborough Open Air** (July 23) and a mega show at **London’s O2 Arena** on **July 25**, co-headlined by Alice Cooper ([nme.com][4]).
### 🇺🇸 North American Co‑Headliner with Shock Rock Royalty
* **September–October 2025**, they’ll join forces with **Alice Cooper** for a massive **22‑city U.S. tour**, with select dates featuring **Corrosion of Conformity** ([ctpost.com][5]).
* Known dates include **Holmdel, NJ** (Sept 26) and **Saratoga Springs** (Sept 27), with the **Bridgeport, CT** show set for **Sept 23** ([ctpost.com][5]).
Fans can snag presale tickets now—with codes like **PAINSHIELD** and **SICKTHINGS**—while general sale starts May 30 ([judaspriest.com][6]).
—
## 🎧 The Fan Verdict on *Invincible Shield*
Since its March 2024 release, *Invincible Shield* has become Judas Priest’s most successful chart release: #2 on the UK Albums Chart and #1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums ([en.wikipedia.org][7]).
Reddit buzz has been overwhelmingly positive:
> “Demand was so high that added additional shows… Total success.” ([reddit.com][8])
> “Love at first listen… I couldn’t get enough of it.” ([reddit.com][9])
> “The new mix is way better… like getting a brand‑new Judas Priest album.” ([reddit.com][10])
Clearly, loyal fans and critics alike have embraced the album’s classic energy and fresh riffs.
—
## 🎥 Bonus: Netflix Documentary in Development
Adding to the excitement, Judas Priest are reportedly the subject of a Netflix/Sam Dunn documentary titled **“Defenders of the Faith”**, with Tom Morello involved. It’s expected to release sometime in 2025 ([cadenaser.com][11], [reddit.com][12]). Watch for trailers as it hits screens.
—
## 📝 Final Take — Metal Titans Resurrected
Judas Priest have deftly balanced their legacy with new momentum. With a chart-topping album bolstered by enthusiastic fan response, a celebration-laced European jaunt, and a U.S. co-headliner with Alice Cooper, 2025 promises to be one of their busiest and most impactful years. Then there’s the promise of another full-length in 2026 and a major documentary—so whether you’re a die-hard devout or a new convert, the Priest are back—and louder than ever.
—
## 🧩 Coming Up
* **Tour Presales & Dates**:
* Europe: June–July ‘25 (Scarborough July 23, London O2 July 25 w/ Alice Cooper)
* North America: Sept–Oct ‘25, 22 shows; presales now, general sale May 30.
* **New Album**: Recording to begin in 2026.
* **Documentary**: “Defenders of the Faith” on Netflix, 2025.
Rock on—this is a landmark moment in heavy metal history.
* [nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/04/16/ticket-sales/judas-priest-alice-cooper-tour-2025-where-to-buy-tickets/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [ctpost.com](https://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/alice-cooper-judas-priest-bridgeport-amp-ct-20349154.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/scott-travis-judas-priest-hopes-to-work-on-next-album-in-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com “SCOTT TRAVIS: JUDAS PRIEST Hopes To Work On Next Album In 2026 – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[2]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-judas-priest-has-already-talked-about-follow-up-to-invincible-shield-well-have-to-wait-and-see?utm_source=chatgpt.com “RICHIE FAULKNER Says JUDAS PRIEST Has Already Talked About Follow-Up To ‘Invincible Shield’: ‘We’ll Have To Wait And See’ – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[3]: https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-its-inevitable-that-there-will-be-another-judas-priest-studio-album?utm_source=chatgpt.com “ROB HALFORD Says It’s ‘Inevitable’ That There Will Be Another JUDAS PRIEST Studio Album – BLABBERMOUTH.NET”
[4]: https://www.nme.com/news/music/judas-priest-announce-europe-2025-tour-dates-3809505?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest announce Europe 2025 tour dates”
[5]: https://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/alice-cooper-judas-priest-bridgeport-amp-ct-20349154.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Alice Cooper and Judas Priest set co-headlining date in Bridgeport”
[6]: https://judaspriest.com/news/default.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JudasPriest.com :: News”
[7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible_Shield?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Invincible Shield”
[8]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1dz0jzm?utm_source=chatgpt.com “So, things have calmed down a bit since this new album came out and the band started their tour. Now, I have a question. Overall, considering album sales and tour ticket sales, can we say that this ‘Invincible Shield’ was a total success or a total failure?”
[9]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1ihjmgt?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Upon its release, what were your initial thoughts on it (other than Rob not being present)?”
[10]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1iedz9a?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Longest wait of my life”
[11]: https://cadenaser.com/euskadi/2024/12/20/judas-priest-vuelve-a-bilbao-con-su-gira-the-shield-of-pain-tour-radio-bilbao/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest vuelve a Bilbao con su gira \”The Shield Of Pain Tour\””
[12]: https://www.reddit.com/r/judaspriest/comments/1ivpboq?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest Documentary 2025”