Metal gods Judas Priest prepare to land in Rochester

ROCHESTER — It’s been 50 years since Judas Priest released their debut single. Since then, the band's lineup has changed and so has heavy metal music — the genre it helped pioneer. The band will be visiting Rochester later this month.

Metal has not only found mainstream acceptance, but it has grown into several subgenres including death metal, grindcore, speed metal, goth metal, industrial metal and more.

Just because Judas Priest predates that doesn’t mean the band hasn’t been tempted to embrace a subgenre. After the departure of lead singer Rob Halford, the band dabbled in thrash metal sound with their 1997 album “Jugulator.”

Jumping into a genre they helped spawn wasn’t the group’s most successful move, according to reviews. Bassist Ian Hill, bassist and founding member of Judas Priest, said the album didn’t have the emotional punch previous ones had.

“It was not disingenuous, opportunistic, maybe, but it’s not what Judas Priest was,” Hill said, speaking via video chat from a picturesque cottage in Wales. Hill was preparing for a U.S. tour that includes a performance in Rochester Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. The tour is in support of their latest album, “Invincible Shield.”

Hill said he’s pleased with the album and tour which features longtime backing vocalist Richie Faulkner on lead vocals.

“Richie really came into his own with ‘Invincible,’” he said.

However, it’s the musicality of the album that’s especially appealing, Hill added.

“It still sounds young,” he said. “We’re always trying to take a step forward with every album we do.”

Throughout the band’s career, members have experimented with electronic effects and technologies as they became available, Hill said.

“You learn things every day,” he said. “We were always quick to embrace new technologies and new gizmos.”

That’s reflected in their latest work, he said.

“If you hadn’t listened to Judas Priest but listened to ‘Invincible Shield,’ you’d think we’re a new band,” he said.

Embracing new technology sounds and exploring subgenres has kept the band’s new work fresh through the decades, he said.

“We’ve done these ballads and things that make you scared and everything in between,” Hill said.

For him, the emphasis on tight instrumentation and musical arrangements is an appealing aspect of heavy metal. Paired with an operatic voice with a four-octave range, no part of a heavy metal song gets lost for listeners.

Pop music focuses on lyrics and often pop singers don’t even meet some of the musicians accompanying their songs. Parts tend to serve the vocals rather than stand out on their own, Hill said.

“It breaks my heart knowing that people often don’t listen to it,” Hill said. “With heavy metal, you don’t have a choice but to listen.”

Like their music, Judas Priest’s crowds have stayed current. Hill said he sees longtime fans who bring their kids or even grandchildren to shows who are won over by their energy and sound.

“They’re probably dragged there kicking and screaming by their parents who want to hear our old songs,” Hill said. “Then you see all those (young people) dancing, jumping and singing along,” Hill said.

When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

Where: Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE.

How much: Tickets start at $34.50.