Rock classics often ride the touring wave without adding new material, yet Judas Priest keeps pushing boundaries with Invincible Shield, their 19th studio album. To shield themselves from the bullets and projectiles they have endured over more than five decades, the band reflects on its resilience. Ian Hill, the longtime bassist who helped shape the band’s enduring anthems, recalls the early days when crowds and critics tested metal before it fully found its voice. Even before heavy metal was fully defined, the genre faced relentless challenges from those who tried to kill its momentum. The band rides the theme of resilience through tracks that have earned the title of metal gods, with songs like Lawbreaker and Victim of the Changes standing as pillars of the sound.
Looking back at the legal battles of the 1980s, Hill notes additional disputes that argued metal was dying and deserved nothing more than silence. Fans faced accusations that the lyrics encouraged suicide in two separate cases, a verdict that ultimately found the band blameless. Yet the core message remains intact: metal is alive and still evolving. Invincible Shield is a testament to that stubborn, uncompromising spirit, dedicated to those who keep the flame burning. Production-wise, the album reflects a collaborative dynamic with touring guitarist Andy Sneap, who later pursued a solo path, and it was developed largely during pandemic days, with members working apart yet finding room to translate songs into a cohesive whole.
shadow metal god
Invincible Shield stretches the band’s traditional sound by pairing fast, punchy choruses with more exploratory structures, seen on tracks like the opening Panic Attack and the expansive title track as well as Giants in the Sky. The record honors the memory of late figures Lemmy of Motörhead and Ronnie James Dio, while saluting Rob Halford’s enduring command of the mic. On the guitar side, Glenn Tipton’s influence remains palpable even though touring has paused since 2018 due to health concerns. Despite these challenges, his presence resonates in the songwriting and overall energy. The band members acknowledge the difficulties they face but emphasize perseverance and ongoing contributions to the creative process.
Judas Priest embodies the essence of heavy metal, a genre with roots that trace back to Birmingham and the early formation years of the band. The bassist reflects on the origin of metal, noting that Black Sabbath would be a foundational influence if the genre had an origin story before it was even called metal. The idea of inspiration from that era includes Jack Bruce from Cream as a key influence for Ian Hill, while Ken Downing was inspired by Hendrix and Rob Halford by David Bowie. The 1970s were a pivotal era in which the band refined its style, culminating in a landmark release that helped define a visual and musical direction that fed the rise of acts like Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Def Leppard.
The ‘Other’ Priest
In those early days, the guitar duo solidified as KK Downing remained a central force until his departure in 2011, a moment described as a shock to the lineup. The split came amid disagreements, and while it was difficult for everyone, Downing had made his choice. He later pursued a new project with KK’s Priest, while the remaining members continued to carry Judas Priest forward with Tim Owens acting as the vocalist during a period when Rob Halford’s presence loomed large. The bassist notes that the material never loses its momentum and that every contributor has earned their place in the ongoing Judas Priest story, underscoring the legitimacy of all who help shape the band’s material.