Judas Priest premiere war-themed new song ‘Never The Heroes’
Judas Priest have unleashed another blistering taster of their new studio album ‘Firepower’.
The lyrically potent ‘Never The Heroes’ is a protest song of sorts about the futility of war but it also salutes the heroes who give their lives, with its refrain: “We only wanted peace / Never The Heroes / We were made to fight / Never the heroes / We were just sacrificed at war.”
Singer Rob Halford told Loudwire: “Never The Heroes is about the courageous men and women that enter war. Never trained to be heroes, but becoming heroic due to their actions and sacrifices doing their duty for their people and country.
“It resonates, as there is a hero in all of us, and in times of struggle we can be strong and united, conquering our own challenges and helping others.”
‘Firepower’, Judas Priest’s 18th studio album, finally sees the light of day on Friday 9th March 2018.
Produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap – who is filling in for Glenn Tipton on tour - the album boasts 14 tracks penned by Glenn Tipton, Rob Halford & Richie Faulkner.
In a 2017 interview with VintageRock.com, singer Rob Halford described ‘Firepower’ as among some of Judas Priest’s “best work.”
"It's great. This is what Priest lives for,” Rob enthused. “We're a hard-working metal band still making the metal forty-odd years later, thanks to our glorious metal fans around the world.
"So we make music now, obviously, still for our own pleasure and enjoyment, and the challenge of finding a new riff and a new melody is always very… It's a great feeling.”
Rob also praised guitarist Richie Faulkner for his input on the long-player, adding: “We came off the Redeemer Of Souls tour, had a break and then we dove straight back into the second record with Richie. And it's Richie's moment, really, because when we did Redeemer Of Souls, it was his first time with Priest as a writer.
“I think it was great how Richie coming into the band and then going through the writing experience and the world tour together really put him in a better place for when we went in to do Firepower.
“Richie's playing is f***king unbelievable on this album. I think, as the writing team of Richie, Glenn Tipton and myself, this is some of our best work without a doubt.”
The ‘Firepower’ track-listing is as follows:
1. Firepower
2. Lightning Strike
3. Evil Never Dies
4. Never the Heroes
5. Necromancer
6. Children of the Sun
7. Guardians
8. Rising from Ruins
9. Flame Thrower
10. Spectre
11. Traitors Gate
12. No Surrender
13. Lone Wolf
14. Sea of Red
Judas Priest headline Bloodstock Open Air Festival on Friday 10th August 2018. Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.