Judas Priest Release Scorching New Song, 'Trial by Fire' Audio Ink Radio

Judas Priest Release Scorching New Song, ‘Trial by Fire’

2023-11-17

Judas Priest, Trial by Fire – Author: Cat Badra, Photo: Travis Shin

What does Judas Priest sound like today? Listen to Judas Priest’s new song, “Trial by Fire,” to hear for yourself

Metal mavens Judas Priest are back with a new album, “Invincible Shield,” out March 8, 2024. In advance of the release, the famed British band has released two new songs off the set. The first, “Panic Attack,” arrived earlier this fall. Now, Judas Priest have released the second single, “Trial by Fire,” out Friday (Nov. 17).

So, what does Judas Priest sound like today? They sound fantastic, and that’s all that matters, if you ask me. “Trial by Fire” is a raging track. If you like your Priest heavy, then this is for you. The song starts soft before quickly launching into a full-fledged metal anthem, with sharp, cutting guitars and a mile-high guitar solo from Richie Faulkner, which really shows off his chops. “Trial by Fire” also showcases vocalist Rob Halford’s upper register, showing off his highest of tenor notes. It’s such a metal treat, and I think it’s one of Judas Priest’s strongest songs of the past decade.

Where can you hear new Judas Priest music? You’ll find it on all the usual music platforms here, and you can stream it via YouTube below. Also, you can pre-order and save the full album here ahead of its 2024 release.

Both “Trial by Fire” and “Panic Attack” bring to life the kind of 1970s-style metal album that guitarist Richie Faulkner exclusively told Audio Ink Radio to expect from the new album. Speaking with Audio Ink Radio in a recent interview, Faulkner said this album was “a bit more ’70s Priest, which I welcome as a guitar player,” but at the same time, “not a retro album, by any means. It’s the influence of ’70s Priest in the progressive sense, but it sounds like Priest in 2023.” He added that it’s a bit “progressive,” not in the classic, Dream Theater kind of style, but in the fact that it’s “not verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus-finish. It’s musical part-verse-musical part.”

In other news, Judas Priest will hit the road on a major tour in 2024 to support the new album. The trek will kick off March 11 in Glasgow in the U.K. and see the guys traveling through Europe before wrapping up May 22 in Syracuse, New York. The U.S. shows will feature support from Sabaton. The most recent time I saw Judas Priest live was just a few years ago, and they’re still one of the strongest metal bill out there, even 50-plus years into the game. Find Judas Priest’s full roster of upcoming tour dates here.

Judas Priest’s current lineup features Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill and Scott Travis. As for their touring lineup, producer Andy Sneap has been touring with the band when Tipton is unavailable. Sneap is also producing “Invincible Shield,” making him Judas Priest’s go-to producer for this era of their music. As for that new album, Judas Priest actually dramatically made the album announcement during their performance at the debut Power Trip festival in Indio, California, this past fall.

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.