In a stunning revelation that has shaken the heavy metal world, legendary British band Judas Priest has announced that they will embark on one final tour before officially calling it quits. After more than five decades of trailblazing music, iconic performances, and unwavering commitment to the genre they helped define, the band says it’s time to bow out — not quietly, but in flames of glory.
“We’ve given everything to metal,” frontman Rob Halford said in a powerful and emotional statement. “But this isn’t just about walking away. This is about closing the chapter with fire. It’s about ending on our terms — while we still have the fury, the power, and the voice to go out screaming.”
The tour, which will be called “Final Forged in Fire,” is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and span multiple continents, with the band promising to include stops in cities they’ve long cherished, from Birmingham to Buenos Aires, Tokyo to Toronto. According to Halford, this won’t be a stripped-down farewell or a nostalgic walk through the past. Instead, it will be a celebration — loud, raw, and unapologetically metal.
Bassist Ian Hill, the only member to appear on every Priest album since 1974’s Rocka Rolla, echoed Halford’s sentiment.
“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.”
The band’s final decision comes after years of speculation, especially following the health struggles of guitarist Glenn Tipton, who revealed in 2018 that he had been battling Parkinson’s disease. Tipton made sporadic appearances on recent tours, but the burden of full live performances has grown heavier with time. While his absence from the road was met with understanding, it also raised questions about the future of the band — questions that now have a definitive answer.
Despite the looming farewell, the members of Judas Priest are not leaving quietly. Halford confirmed that a final studio album will be released in late 2025, featuring “some of the heaviest, most emotional material we’ve ever written.” The band says the upcoming record won’t just be a goodbye letter, but a sonic explosion worthy of closing their legacy.
“We want this album to sound like everything Judas Priest has ever stood for — defiance, power, leather, fire, rebellion,” said guitarist Richie Faulkner. “We want to show the new generation why this band mattered. And to thank every fan who ever raised a horn in our direction.”
Social media has erupted since the announcement, with fans around the globe expressing heartbreak, gratitude, and anticipation. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #PriestForever and #OneLastRide trended within hours of the news.
One fan wrote, “Priest leaving the stage? That’s like thunder leaving the sky.” Another added, “I was born too late to see them in their prime. I won’t miss this for anything.”
Beyond the fan reactions, musicians across genres have paid tribute to the band’s influence. Metallica’s James Hetfield posted a message saying, “Without Priest, there is no Metallica. We stand forever in their shadow.” Ozzy Osbourne simply wrote, “The Metal Gods. Always.”
For decades, Judas Priest have been a defining force in heavy metal — from the soaring vocals of Painkiller, to the rebellious fire of Breaking the Law, to the aggressive grind of Hell Bent for Leather. Their leather-and-chains image became an entire culture. Their music, a battle cry for generations of fans.
And now, after more than 50 years, that battle cry is preparing for its final echo.
Whether it’s truly goodbye or just the last chapter of the story remains to be seen. But if there’s one thing Judas Priest have always done, it’s exit the stage on their own terms — loud, proud, and forever metal.
Get ready. The last ride is coming.