Judas Priest to Call It Quits After One Last Tour: “We’ve Given Everything — Now It’s Time to Burn Out in Glory”

After more than five decades of pioneering heavy metal and inspiring generations of rockers, Judas Priest has officially announced their final world tour — a thunderous goodbye to one of the genre’s most iconic legacies. With a career steeped in molten riffs, roaring vocals, and leather-clad spectacle, the band isn’t fading quietly into the night. Instead, they’re choosing to go out with a blaze of metal fury.

In an emotional statement, frontman Rob Halford addressed fans with characteristic fire and gratitude. “We’re not doing this because we’ve lost the fire,” he said. “We’re doing this because we still have it — and we want to go out with the amps up and the fists in the air. It’s not the end of metal. It’s just the end of this era, and we are going to burn out in glory.”

The upcoming tour — being called “The Metal Gods: Final Ride” — promises to be a no-holds-barred celebration of Judas Priest’s titanic discography, from the galloping anthems of British Steel to the thunderous power of Painkiller. Fans across the globe will get one last chance to scream along to the classics, surrounded by pyro, screaming guitars, and that unmistakable Halford wail.

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, Judas Priest helped forge what heavy metal would become. With dual lead guitars, operatic vocals, and a fearless embrace of theatricality, they set a blueprint followed by countless bands. Albums like Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith didn’t just sell millions — they became sacred texts in the metal canon.

Despite lineup changes and evolving trends, the core ethos of Judas Priest never wavered. Even in their later years, they continued to push boundaries. Their most recent albums, including 2018’s Firepower, showed no signs of a band slowing down. Critics praised the record as one of their finest in decades, further cementing their legacy.

“It’s a bittersweet thing,” said guitarist Glenn Tipton, who retired from touring due to Parkinson’s disease but remains a vital part of the band’s spirit. “But we want to take this moment to celebrate what we’ve built — with the fans, for the fans. You gave us everything, and we’re giving it back one last time.”

Drummer Scott Travis echoed the sentiment: “There’s no sadness here. It’s a party. It’s a victory lap. And trust us — we’re not holding anything back.”

Judas Priest’s final tour dates will span North America, Europe, South America, and beyond, with the band promising surprise appearances, deep cuts, and tributes to fallen friends and heroes.

For many, this marks the end of an era — but the beginning of an immortal legacy. As Halford put it, “The music doesn’t stop just because we stop playing it live. Judas Priest will always live on — in your speakers, in your hearts, and in every head that ever banged.”

Get ready — the Metal Gods are riding one last time.