Judas Priest to Call It Quits After One Last Tour: “We’ve Given Everything — Now It’s Time to Burn Out in Glory…
After more than five decades of leather, riffs, and screaming for vengeance, heavy metal titans Judas Priest have announced they will be calling it quits following one final, massive world tour. The news sent shockwaves through the metal world today as frontman Rob Halford confirmed the band’s farewell plans in an emotional statement.
“We’ve given everything,” Halford said, speaking from the band’s studio in Birmingham, England. “This isn’t about fading away. We’re not doing this because we’ve lost the fire. 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.”
Dubbed “The Last Ride: Burn in Glory Tour”, the band’s final trek will kick off in March 2026 and stretch across continents, hitting stadiums in North America, Europe, South America, Japan, and Australia. The band promises a no-holds-barred stage show celebrating their legendary catalog, from Sad Wings of Destiny to Firepower.
“It’s not the end of metal,” Halford added, his voice steady but emotional. “It’s just the end of this era. Judas Priest has lived and breathed this music. We’ve battled through line-up changes, health scares, and changing times, and we’ve always come back stronger. But now, we want to say goodbye on our terms — standing tall, screaming loud, and blazing in glory.”
50+ Years of Metal Legacy
Formed in Birmingham in 1969, Judas Priest didn’t just play metal—they helped invent it. With iconic twin guitar attacks from Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, Halford’s operatic wails, and a thunderous rhythm section, they redefined the sound and look of heavy music. Their 1980 album British Steel cemented them as global icons, spawning anthems like “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight.”
Over the decades, the band has endured member changes, solo projects, and Halford’s temporary departure in the ‘90s, only to reunite and push forward. Their resurgence in the 2000s proved their relevance, culminating in their 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—a long overdue recognition of their cultural impact.
Their most recent album, Invincible Shield (2024), was met with critical acclaim and fan adoration, a fitting reminder that Priest never lost their edge. “It’s wild to think we’re walking away after one of our best albums,” said guitarist Richie Faulkner, who joined the band in 2011. “But that’s the point. We want to end it while we’re still killing it.”
“This Is the Way Metal Gods Say Goodbye”
Longtime guitarist Glenn Tipton, who has battled Parkinson’s disease for years, is expected to make select appearances during the tour. “I’ll be there as much as I can,” Tipton said in a heartfelt message. “This band has meant everything to me. It’s been my life. And this final tour is for the fans who’ve stood by us through every high and low.”
Drummer Scott Travis echoed the sentiment: “We’re not walking off quietly. This tour will be loud, proud, and heavy as hell. That’s how Priest says goodbye.”
As for the setlist? Fans can expect a deep dive through their massive discography. “Everything’s on the table,” Halford teased. “We want to hit every corner of our history—deep cuts, classics, maybe even a surprise or two.”
The farewell announcement has already sparked an outpouring of love and grief from fans and fellow musicians alike. Metallica’s James Hetfield called Priest “one of the blueprints for everything we’ve ever done.” Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson wrote simply, “Priest forever. Up the horns.”
Tickets, Legacy, and What Comes Next
Tickets for “The Last Ride” tour go on sale August 9, with a special pre-sale for fan club members starting August 7. VIP experiences, commemorative merch, and deluxe box sets celebrating the band’s legacy will also be available.
While this marks the end of Judas Priest as a touring and recording entity, Halford hinted at future archival releases and projects. “There’s a vault full of unreleased stuff,” he said with a grin. “You haven’t heard the last from us entirely.”
As the curtain begins to fall on Judas Priest’s epic saga, fans around the world prepare for one last communion with the Metal Gods. After over 50 years of screaming, shredding, and redefining what it means to be loud and proud, the band is taking its final bow.
And they’re doing it not in silence, but in thunder.
“We were born from metal,” Halford said. “And we’ll die with metal. But before we go—we’re going to burn out in glory.”
