Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford is sharing an update on the band’s follow-up to 2008's "Nostradamus."
"The writing process is complete," Halford tells Billboard. "Now it's the painstaking work of making sure that you get every single note, every single nuance of the vocal, every tiny aspect...right. We're still tracking (instruments). It's just a very laborious but enjoyable part of making the record."
Priest is producing the album itself at the moment, but Halford notes that "there's always a possibility somebody might come in to overview some of the things we're doing."
Halford describes the project's sound as "hard. It's heavy. It's something we think our Priest fans will be thrilled with. We know we have a reputation to maintain, and we know we have to deliver something really strong and solid. The album is going to be full of all the great things you love about Judas Priest -- I don't think I can say anything more than that without being hung, drawn and quartered."
Judas Priest plans to tour in support of the album, though not quite as extensively as it has in the past. Next year will also mark the 40th anniversary of the group's debut album, "Rocka Rolla", which Halford says will be commemorated in some way.
"We'll be working furiously and manically in the studio cellars and conjuring up some special moments for next year, I'm sure of that," he says. "That just makes the (fantasy camp) another tremendous moment for Priest, to be in Vegas kicking of the 40th anniversary year, meeting our fans, making this special metal moment happen together."
Last week, Judas Priest announced a spring 2014 appearance at Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas.
Set for the weekend of February 27, 2014, Hell Bent For Vegas will feature four of the five members of Judas Priest (guitarist Glenn Tipton is unavailable while mixing the new album project) jamming with camp attendees, along with special guests Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, ex-Ozzy Osbourne), Queensryche singer Geoff Tate, and more.
The Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp is the world’s only place where real people get the life-changing experience of meeting, writing songs, recording and performing with their musical heroes. Created by veteran music producer David Fishof to be the ultimate music-making experience these camps provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for musicians of all skill levels.
For full details, visit rockcamp.com
Judas Priest
See also:
Judas Priest announce Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp appearance
Judas Priest: Rockline replay available
VIDEO: Judas Priest premiere track from Epitaph live DVD
Judas Priest singer wants band inducted into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
VIDEO: Judas Priest preview Epitaph live DVD
Judas Priest: New album update
VIDEO: Judas Priest preview Epitaph DVD
Judas Priest: Epitaph UK screening delayed
Judas Priest singer & guitarist to host Epitaph New York premiere
Judas Priest: Epitaph DVD screenings set for New York & London
Judas Priest to premiere Epitaph live DVD in theaters
VIDEO: Judas Priest release Epitaph DVD trailer
Judas Priest to guest on Rockline
Judas Priest announce Epitaph live DVD details
VIDEO: Judas Priest - Epitaph live DVD preview
Judas Priest: New album and Epitaph DVD update
Judas Priest: Screaming For Vengeance track by track with Rob Halford
VIDEO: Judas Priest rock the 1983 US Festival
Judas Priest regrouping to work on new music
VIDEO: Judas Priest – Screaming For Vengeance 30th Anniversary Edition preview
Judas Priest: Screaming For Vengeance 30th Anniversary Edition due this fall
VIDEO: Judas Priest classic featured in new car commercial
Judas Priest working on farewell tour live DVD
VIDEO: Judas Priest play final show of farewell world tour
VIDEO: Former Judas Priest guitarist thanks fans for support
VIDEO: Judas Priest singer joins Metallica in San Francisco
Judas Priest: First 2012 European shows announced
VIDEO: K.K. Downing says he’ll never share why he left Judas Priest
VIDEO: Judas Priest covered by Ohio music-school students
Judas Priest looking forward to James Durbin debut
VIDEO: Judas Priest launch North American tour
VIDEO: Judas Priest rock Fallon
Judas Priest singer talks about next album
Judas Priest to rock Jimmy Fallon
Judas Priest: No K.K., no problem
VIDEO: Judas Priest singer falls off motorcycle on stage in Brazil