Britain\u2019s undisputed metal legends, **Judas Priest**, have stunned fans worldwide with a dual announcement: their eagerly awaited new studio album\u2014*a follow-up to 2024\u2019s **Invincible Shield***\u2014is in the works, and they\u2019re hitting the road for a mammoth tour through Europe and North America this year. Tongues are wagging and metal fists are raised in celebration.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83d\udd25 New Album Incoming \u2014 Promise of 2026<\/p>\n
Although the band hasn\u2019t 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]).<\/p>\n
Guitarist **Richie Faulkner** echoed this in early April, telling Chile\u2019s *PowerOfMetal.cl* that riffs and ideas are already flowing, and \u201c*we\u2019ve got ideas coming up all the time\u2026 we always talk about \\[a follow\u2011up]*\u201d ([blabbermouth.net][2]). And founding vocalist **Rob Halford** confirmed it\u2019s “inevitable” they\u2019ll record again ([blabbermouth.net][3]).<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83c\udfb8 Tour of the Year \u2014 \u201cShield of Pain\u201d across the Globe<\/p>\n
### \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa European Summer Armada<\/p>\n
* **June\u2013July 2025** kicks off the **Shield of Pain Tour**, honoring the 35th anniversary of *Painkiller*.
\n* Stops include Norway, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, France, Luxembourg \u2014 plus **Scarborough Open Air** (July\u202f23) and a mega show at **London\u2019s O2 Arena** on **July\u202f25**, co-headlined by Alice Cooper ([nme.com][4]).<\/p>\n
### \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 North American Co\u2011Headliner with Shock Rock Royalty<\/p>\n
* **September\u2013October 2025**, they\u2019ll join forces with **Alice Cooper** for a massive **22\u2011city U.S. tour**, with select dates featuring **Corrosion of Conformity** ([ctpost.com][5]).
\n* Known dates include **Holmdel, NJ** (Sept\u202f26) and **Saratoga Springs** (Sept\u202f27), with the **Bridgeport, CT** show set for **Sept\u202f23** ([ctpost.com][5]).<\/p>\n
Fans can snag presale tickets now\u2014with codes like **PAINSHIELD** and **SICKTHINGS**\u2014while general sale starts May\u202f30 ([judaspriest.com][6]).<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83c\udfa7 The Fan Verdict on *Invincible Shield*<\/p>\n
Since its March\u202f2024 release, *Invincible Shield* has become Judas Priest\u2019s most successful chart release: #2 on the UK Albums Chart and #1 on Billboard\u2019s Hard Rock Albums ([en.wikipedia.org][7]).<\/p>\n
Reddit buzz has been overwhelmingly positive:<\/p>\n
> \u201cDemand was so high that added additional shows\u2026 Total success.\u201d ([reddit.com][8])
\n> \u201cLove at first listen\u2026 I couldn’t get enough of it.\u201d ([reddit.com][9])
\n> \u201cThe new mix is way better\u2026 like getting a brand\u2011new Judas Priest album.\u201d ([reddit.com][10])<\/p>\n
Clearly, loyal fans and critics alike have embraced the album\u2019s classic energy and fresh riffs.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83c\udfa5 Bonus: Netflix Documentary in Development<\/p>\n
Adding to the excitement, Judas Priest are reportedly the subject of a Netflix\/Sam\u202fDunn documentary titled **\u201cDefenders of the Faith\u201d**, with Tom Morello involved. It\u2019s expected to release sometime in 2025 ([cadenaser.com][11], [reddit.com][12]). Watch for trailers as it hits screens.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83d\udcdd Final Take \u2014 Metal Titans Resurrected<\/p>\n
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\u2014so whether you’re a die-hard devout or a new convert, the Priest are back\u2014and louder than ever.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## \ud83e\udde9 Coming Up<\/p>\n
* **Tour Presales & Dates**:<\/p>\n
* Europe: June\u2013July \u201825 (Scarborough July\u202f23, London\u202fO2 July\u202f25 w\/ Alice Cooper)
\n* North America: Sept\u2013Oct \u201825, 22 shows; presales now, general sale May\u202f30.
\n* **New Album**: Recording to begin in 2026.
\n* **Documentary**: \u201cDefenders of the Faith\u201d on Netflix, 2025.<\/p>\n
Rock on\u2014this is a landmark moment in heavy metal history.<\/p>\n
* [nypost.com](https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/04\/16\/ticket-sales\/judas-priest-alice-cooper-tour-2025-where-to-buy-tickets\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
\n* [ctpost.com](https:\/\/www.ctpost.com\/entertainment\/article\/alice-cooper-judas-priest-bridgeport-amp-ct-20349154.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)<\/p>\n
[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”
\n[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”
\n[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”
\n[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”
\n[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”
\n[6]: https:\/\/judaspriest.com\/news\/default.asp?utm_source=chatgpt.com “JudasPriest.com :: News”
\n[7]: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Invincible_Shield?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Invincible Shield”
\n[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?”
\n[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)?”
\n[10]: https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/judaspriest\/comments\/1iedz9a?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Longest wait of my life”
\n[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\\””
\n[12]: https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/judaspriest\/comments\/1ivpboq?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Judas Priest Documentary 2025”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Britain\u2019s undisputed metal legends, **Judas Priest**, have stunned fans worldwide with a dual announcement: their eagerly awaited new studio album\u2014*a follow-up to 2024\u2019s **Invincible Shield***\u2014is in the works, and they\u2019re hitting the road for a mammoth tour through Europe and North America this year. Tongues are wagging and metal fists are raised in celebration. — […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n