Ian Hill is a founding member and bassist for the Birmingham-based Grammy award winning heavy metal band, Judas Priest. The band was originally formed in 1970 and their albums such as BRITISH STEEL, SCREAMING FOR A VENGEANCE and PAINKILLER are well known metal classics. For many reasons, this band has often been nominated as one of the most important and most influential bands for the whole metal scene. As of 2011, Hill is the sole constant member of Judas Priest, following the departure of guitarist K.K. Downing. The band, which now features vocalist Rob Halford, Hill, drummer Scott Travis, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Downing’s replacement Richie Faulkner, announced a Judas Priest farewell tour in late 2011. The tour, titled as The Epitaph, started in June of last year. That tour recently rolled into Helsinki. It was a true pleasure sit down with Mr. Hill and discuss about the farewell tour, line up changes, a possible new Judas Priest album, and Hill’s personal future plans amongst other topics… Read on!
When I heard that two of heavy metal’s founding fathers were hitting the road together, it was a given that I’d have to travel from the end of the earth to civilization to catch the tour. Read the rest of this entry »
Steven Patrick of Uweekly.com recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST/HALFORD frontman Rob Halford. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Uweekly.com: Pat Lachman, he was one of your guitarists in HALFORD, who went on to front the band DAMAGEPLAN. This being a Columbus, Ohio, paper and the Dimebag tragedy still fresh in our memory, I’m sure metal fans in the area would like to know how he’s doing and what he’s up to. Do you stay in contact with him?
Halford: I’ll be seeing Pat soon. I think he’s living in Dallas now. I got an e-mail from him the other day and I hope to be seeing him in the next couple of weeks. I don’t really know what he’s doing musically, but when I see him I’ll be asking him obviously. He’s an incredibly talented guitar player, but a great voice as well. I certainly hope he’s still working. He’s got everything that he needs to be a great metal musician.
Uweekly.com: I wouldn’t be able to call myself a metal fan if I didn’t ask about the news that JUDAS PRIEST will be doing a farewell tour in 2011. What brought that on? Was it just time?
Halford: Yeah, I think it’s time, you know. We’re not the first band to say farewell, it’s just the way everyone comes to at some point and we’re gonna say a few more things early next year, so I think the main thing that we just want to ask everybody to consider is don’t be sad about this, start celebrating and rejoicing over all the great things we’ve done in JUDAS PRIEST.
Uweekly.com: Does this news mean that HALFORD will be getting more of your attention in the future?
Halford: Yeah, I’ve always said regardless of anything else that’s going on when time permits and when there’s no conflict with PRIEST, I love to do what I do with the HALFORD band, so that really hasn’t changed at all.
Frankie DiVita, radio personality for 96.7 KCAL Rocks, sat down with JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford at The Grove in Anaheim, CA on the final night of HALFORD’s Made Of Metal tour. Check out the chat on YouTube below:
JUDAS PRIEST singer ROB HALFORD spoke with Steve Newton from Straight.com recently about his upcoming dates opening for BLACK SABBATH singer OZZY OSBOURNE. When asked what his fave Black Sabbath album was, the Metal God chose the band’s scary self-titled debut from 1970.
“It took 24 hours to make,” he says, “believe it or not, but the sound is absolutely mindblowing. If you just listen to the sound, how they were able to do that work in such a short space of time is extraordinary.
“I think a lot of musicians agree that generally your first record is very, very important,” he adds, “because you’re really coming from a very pure, new, uncluttered source. You’ve got nothing to prove because you’ve proved nothing yet; you haven’t really got a massive fanbase, so you’re searching to build that. Your record company’s not interfering with your music as they tend to do when you become successful—same with managers, agents, promoters. You’re really coming into your existence at a different level.
“If you look back at the history of your favourite band, generally the first couple are the ones that really kind of grab you. So that’s why I feel that first Sabbath album for me—much like Sad Wings of Destiny for Judas Priest—is a very important release.”
Halford has performed as the vocalist for Black Sabbath at three shows. He replaced Ronnie James Dio for two nights in November 1992, when Dio elected not to open a show for Ozzy Osbourne. Halford also replaced Osbourne in Black Sabbath on August 25, 2004 (his 53rd birthday) at an Ozzfest show in Camden, New Jersey, since Osbourne could not perform due to bronchitis.
HALFORD CONFIRMS OZZY OSBOURNE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Halford announces Canadian dates with Ozzy Osbourne!
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are pleased to announce the release of ‘Halford IV Made Of Metal’ featuring fourteen (14) new Halford studio recordings debuting September 28th in Canada via Fontana / Universal Music Group.
Produced by Roy Z. and recorded during 2009 and 2010, Made Of Metal showcases a bulk of material (words & music) penned exclusively by Rob Halford. Made Of Metal features fourteen (14) new Halford studio tracks including: The Mower, the current radio single Made Of Metal, Fire And Ice, Till The Day I Die, Undisputed, Heartless and Thunder And Lightning.
Halford’s new NASCAR-themed, animated-music video ‘Made Of Metal’ created by London-based Animator Dean Wright made its debut September 13th, 2010, now available at www.robhalford.com/madeofmetal.
The single ‘Made Of Metal’ digital download available at iTunes and www.HalfordMusic.com.
‘It is probably the most personal release of my solo career; in terms of my writing and performances. Halford IV Made Of Metal hits hard on many musical and emotional levels. I’m certain it will be recognized as one of the band’s best releases, and I’m looking forward to performing the new tracks this year, and re-connecting the Halford band with its legions of Metal fans’.
Halford will be supporting the release with a string of dates opening up for another of hard rock/heavy metal’s all-time great singers and frontmen, Ozzy Osbourne.
And now, without further adieu, a word from the Metal God himself. “Hello Canadian Metal Heads: Your Metal God is excited, ready and preparing Metal masterpieces for the Halford band’s first, full-length-concert tour of the Great White North. That’s right, Halford are preparing to roar across Canada during November 2010 as Special Guest for the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. Double horns way up!! Grab your tickets today, and I will see you all this Fall.” Rob Halford
Track Listing:
1. Undisputed
2. Fire and Ice
3. Made Of Metal
4. Speed Of Sound
5. Like There’s No Tomorrow
6. Till The Day I Die
7. We Own The Night
8. Heartless
9. Hell Razor
10. Thunder and Lightning
11. Twenty-Five Years
12. Matador
13. I Know We Stand A Chance
14. The Mower
Halford’s first live performances in more than seven years has included appearances this year in San Francisco, Montreal’s Heavy Metal Festival and Ozzfest 2010.
Halford have confirmed Headline performances October 15, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and October 16, 2010 at Tokyo’s Loud Park Festival 10.
Halford have also confirmed South America Headline performances October 20 Lima, Peru; October 22 Santiago, Chile; October 24 Sao Paulo, Brazil; October 26 and October 27, 2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
‘It has been a long wait for the global Halford fan-base, and of course I’m very pleased to return with Halford IV Made Of Metal this September 2010’. comments Rob Halford.
Ozzy Osbourne & Rob Halford 2010 Canadian Tour:
Nov. 12 – Victoria, BC – Save On Foods Memorial Centre
HALFORD CONFIRMS OZZY OSBOURNE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Metal God Records and Rob Halford are pleased to confirm Halford North American concert dates November and December with Ozzy Osbourne!
Twelve cities are currently available for sale with additional dates to be announced.
Ozzy Osbourne & Rob Halford 2010 North America Fall Tour:
Nov. 12 – Victoria, BC – Save On Foods Memorial Centre
Nov. 14 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Nov. 16 – Calgary, AB – Pengrowth Saddledome
Nov. 18 – Edmonton, MB – Rexall Place
Nov. 20 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Nov. 23 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Nov. 25 – Ottawa, ON – Scotiabank Place
Nov. 27 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Dec. 01 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Arena
Dec. 03 – E. Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center
Dec. 05 – Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena
Dec. 12 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Halford will also perform at Seattle’s Showbox on November 10th and Denver’s Ogden Theatre on December 15th. ?Tickets available September 17th and 18th for Halford’s Seattle and Denver Headline Performances at Ticketmaster.com.
Rob Halford will be touring in support of his new studio release Halford IV Made Of Metal featuring fourteen (14) new Halford studio recordings debuting world-wide September 27, Oct 8 (UK & EU), September 28th (North America) and October 13, 2010 (Japan).
Halford’s first live performances in more than seven years have included appearances this year in San Francisco, Montreal’s Heavy Metal Festival and
Ozzfest 2010.
Halford have confirmed Headline performances October 15, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and October 16, 2010 at Tokyo’s Loud Park Festival 10.
Halford have also confirmed South America Headline performances October 20 Lima, Peru; October 22 Santiago, Chile; October 24 Sao Paulo, Brazil; October 26 and October 27, 2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Halford’s new NASCAR-themed, animated-music video ‘Made Of Metal’ created by London-based Animator Dean Wright debuts September 13, 2010 at: http://www.robhalford.com/madeofmetal
The single ‘Made Of Metal’ digital download is available at iTunes and www.HalfordMusic.com
Halford IV Made Of Metal
Track Listing:
1. Undisputed
2. Fire and Ice
3. Made Of Metal
4. Speed Of Sound
5. Like There’s No Tomorrow
6. Till The Day I Die
7. We Own The Night
8. Heartless
9. Hell Razor
10. Thunder and Lightning
11. Twenty-Five Years
12. Matador
13. I Know We Stand A Chance
14. The Mower
HALFORD IV - MADE OF METAL Coming this month on Metal God Records
Metal God Entertainment and Rob Halford are pleased to announce the release of ‘Halford IV Made Of Metal featuring fourteen (14) new Halford studio recordings debuting world-wide September 27th (UK & EU), September 28th (North America) and October 13, 2010 (Japan).
Produced by Roy Z. and recorded during 2009 and 2010, Made Of Metal showcases a bulk of material (words & music) penned exclusively by Rob Halford. Made Of Metal features fourteen (14) new Halford studio tracks including: The Mower, Made Of Metal, Fire And Ice, Till The Day I Die, Undisputed, Heartless and Thunder And Lightning.
Halford¹s new NASCAR-themed, animated-music video Made Of Metal created by London-based Animator Dean Wright debuts September 13, 2010. Sneak peek now available at: http://www.robhalford.com/madeofmetal. The single ‘Made Of Metal’ digital download available at iTunes and www.HalfordMusic.com.
Halford¹s first live performances in more than seven years has included appearances this year in San Francisco, Montreal¹s Heavy Metal Festival and Ozzfest 2010.
Halford have confirmed Headline performances October 15, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and October 16, 2010 at Tokyo¹s Loud Park Festival 10.
Halford have also confirmed South America Headline performances October 20 Lima, Peru; October 22 Santiago, Chile; October 24 Sao Paulo, Brazil; October 26 and October 27, 2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
‘It has been a long wait for the global Halford fan-base, and of course I¹m very pleased to return with Halford IV Made Of Metal this September 2010,’ comments Rob Halford.
‘It is probably the most personal release of my solo career; in terms of my writing and performances. Halford IV Made Of Metal hits hard on many musical and emotional levels. I¹m certain it will be recognized as one of the band¹s best releases, and I¹m looking forward to performing the new tracks this year, and re-connecting the Halford band with its legions of Metal fans.’
Halford IV Made Of Metal is releasing on Metal God Records September 27th (UK, EU, Australia – ADA Global / Warner Music Group), October 28th (North America – Fontana / Universal Music Group) and October 13, 2010 Japan (Fontana International / Universal Music Japan).
Track Listing:
1) Undisputed
2) Fire and Ice
3) Made Of Metal
4) Speed Of Sound
5) Like There¹s No Tomorrow
6) Till The Day I Day
7) We Own The Night
8) Heartless
9) Hell Razor
10) Thunder and Lightning
11) Twenty-Five Years
12) Matador
13) I Know We Stand A Chance
14) The Mower
For more info, please visit:
RobHalford.com
MetalGodShop.com
MetalGodApparel.com
MetalGodRecords.com
HalfordMusic.com
Most heavy metal musicians would be content to enjoy a nice quiet day off prior to playing on the main-stage of one of the biggest metal festivals of the summer. But not HALFORD guitarist, shredder Metal Mike Chlasiak. On the eve of Ozzfest 2010 Chicago, August 16th, Metal Mike has decided to hit the town and pay a visit to Reggie’s Rock Club to hang with Chicago metal fans.
Event details:
“Pre-Ozzfest Guest DJ metal jam featuring special guest Metal Mike: -Reggie’s Music Joint and Rock Club- 7-9 PM – HALFORD band guitarist Metal Mike will be stopping by to “meet/greet” metal fans. Once at the club, he will be helping metal DJ Dave compile a Metal Mike approved playlist and be on hand for photos, autographs and general hanging out with fans. Reggie’s has become the “go to” metal club in Chicago, and having Metal Mike pay a visit solidifies their place as Chicago’s premier rock and metal club! Club talent buyer Elle Quintana commented, “We are excited that Metal Mike has chosen our club to swing by and spend time with fans. Given we are filling a bus of metal fans and taking them to Ozzfest the next day, this is a total treat for the fans!” Metal fans can also enjoy half price drafts and $1 tacos. Plus there will be giveaways courtesy of Chicago’s very own Pivotal Rockordings record label and Metalforever.com.
Reggie’s Music Joint and Reggie’s Rock Club is located at- 2105 S. State Street, Chicago Il www.reggieslive.com
On Saturday, July 17th HALFORD, featuring JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford, played their first show in more than seven years in San Francisco, CA at the Regency Ballroom. The setlist on the night was as follows:
LoudTrax.com spot to the Metal God, Rob Halford, yesterday about performing at this year’s HEAVY MTL festival in Montreal. Here is what Rob had to say regarding what fans can expect:
“Well they can expect the Halford band to be roaring that’s for sure. It will be a wonderful time for the Halford band to return to Montreal. Montreal is great, hot bed of heavy metal madness! The fans have this great reputation for being so intense and hard core, and having such passion and love for their metal.
So the Halford band’s gonna come back to Montreal and tear it up and have a great time. We’ll play a lot of different songs from our back catalog and some other places as well. We’ll be playing about an hour, and run through as many songs as we can and give everybody a great time. Some cool artists are appearing so it will be fun for us as well. My friend Alice Cooper, the guys from Korn, Dave from Megadeth, they’re all good friends of mine. Slayer, my god it’s going to be a great event! All of these different kinds of music will be pouring out and I’m sure everyone’s going to have a brilliant time.”
Heavy MTL is North-America’s premier destination heavy music festival and takes place in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
The first edition of the festival took place in June 2008 and saw the likes of Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Dethklok, Anthrax, Type O Negative, Mastodon, and many others shred their way through an intense two-day celebration of heavy music.
After taking a break in 2009, Heavy MTL organizers are committed to making Heavy MTL 2010 the place to be for heavy music fans in 2010.
Heavy MTL 2010 will be held on July 24th and 25th in the breathtaking site that is Parc Jean-Drapeau at Île Saint-Hélène, Montréal.
Confirmed artists:
July 24th: MEGADETH, SLAYER, ALICE COOPER, HALFORD, MASTODON, TESTAMENT, FEAR FACTORY, ANVIL, KATAKLYSM, MELISSA AUF DER MAUR, HIGH ON FIRE, SKELETONWITCH, BAPTIZED IN BLOOD, 36 CRAZY FISTS.
July 25th: KORN, ROB ZOMBIE, LAMB OF GOD, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, HATEBREED, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALEXISONFIRE, SHADOWS FALL, WINDS OF PLAGUE, CHIMAIRA, ATREYU, IN THIS MOMENT, NORMA JEAN, DESPISED ICON, LES EKORCHES, AIRBOURNE, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, HAIL THE VILLAIN, and DEADLY APPLES.
