Judas Priest Almost Retired After Release of 2018 LP 'Firepower' — Here's Why

Judas Priest almost ended their career after the release of the "Firepower" album in 2018.

After decades of playing in the music industry, Judas Priest finally scored a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This led fans to expect more from them, but Rob Halford revealed that the band almost bid goodbye after the release of its 2018 LP.

In an interview with Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Halford noted that the album earned a positive response that led the members to think about whether it would be the best way to wrap up their career as a band.

"It was kind of like, 'Is that it? Should we leave it there? Should we leave the party now?' But that record, along with the reception from our friends and in the industry, gave us even more energy and more determination to make another Priest album. And make one that's a strong piece of work to come after Firepower," he said, as quoted by Ultimate Classic Rock and Culture.

The outlet asked him what inspired him to create the album. Per Halford, he had no idea how they came up with the music, but he reportedly knew that he and the members wanted to explore their classic elements through the album.

Previously, the band's "Painkiller" showed that blueprint. Per Halford, the two music projects showed Judas Priest's ferocious metal power.

Judas Priest To Continue Working Together

Fans can expect to see more from Judas Priest as the band has a full-packed schedule ahead.

Currently, the band is performing in several cities as part of the North American leg of its 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour. It recently performed at San Antonio's Tech Port Center + Arena and offered fans an exciting setlist.

Some of the songs the members performed include "The Hellion," "Riding on the Wind," "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," "Jawbreaker," "Firepower," "Never the Heroes," "Judas Rising," "Halls of Valhalla," "Screaming for Vengeance," "Breaking the Law," and "Living After Midnight."

Judas Priest also released 50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music box set last month via Sony Music. According to American Top 40, the 42-disc box set has remastered versions of every studio and live album the band released so far.

There are also 13 discs of unreleased music from its archive.

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