HISTORIC COLLABORATION ANNOUNCED: “In Loving Memory” Unites Judas Priest and Slayer for a Groundbreaking Tribute Project

In an announcement that has rocked the heavy metal world, surviving members of Judas Priest and Slayer have revealed a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration titled “In Loving Memory” — a powerful, emotional, and hard-hitting musical tribute honoring their fallen bandmates, legacy, and decades of trailblazing metal history. The historic project is set to debut with an album and a limited world tour in 2025, marking the first time the two legendary bands have joined forces in such a direct, creative partnership.

A Brotherhood Forged in Metal

“In Loving Memory” was born out of years of mutual respect, personal losses, and the shared desire to celebrate the brotherhood that defined the genre’s golden age. The idea came to fruition following the recent deaths of former Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland, and longtime metal collaborators from both camps whose absence left deep emotional scars in the metal community.

Guitarist Kerry King (Slayer) and Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) reportedly spearheaded the project, describing it as “a final salute to the ones who shaped us, stood by us, and left behind a legacy that refuses to fade.”

In a joint statement, King and Faulkner shared:

The Album: Raw Emotion Meets Relentless Riffs

The upcoming 10-track studio album will feature newly written material alongside reimagined classics from both bands, fused together with blistering solos, thunderous rhythm sections, and lyrics drawn from real-life stories of loss, triumph, and resilience.

Tracks like “Angel of the Firestorm”, “Silent Screams Never Die”, and the emotionally charged title track “In Loving Memory” are already being described by insiders as some of the most powerful material either band has produced in decades. The album is being co-produced by Andy Sneap and Greg Fidelman, known for their work with Metallica, Priest, and Slayer, ensuring a sound that balances nostalgia with fresh fire.

Vocals will be shared between Rob Halford and Tom Araya, whose gravel and operatic range respectively are set to deliver a stunning dual performance across several songs. Though Araya officially retired from touring with Slayer in 2019, he agreed to participate in this unique studio venture, saying:

Honoring the Fallen

The album’s artwork and tour visuals will pay homage to the late Jeff Hanneman, Dave Holland, and other lost icons like Ronnie James Dio, Lemmy Kilmister, and Dimebag Darrell — showing that the spirit of metal is carried forward by its surviving torchbearers.

A portion of the proceeds from album sales and ticket revenue will be donated to mental health and addiction recovery programs in memory of bandmates and fans who struggled behind the scenes.

A Tour Like No Other

“In Loving Memory: The Tour” will hit 12 cities across Europe and North America, beginning in Birmingham, England — the birthplace of Judas Priest — before heading to Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, and São Paulo. Each show will feature a revolving setlist of Priest and Slayer songs, performed collaboratively, along with selections from the new album.

Special guest appearances from metal royalty are already confirmed, with Scott Travis, Gary Holt, and members of bands like Anthrax, Megadeth, and Pantera expected to make surprise appearances throughout the tour.

The final performance will be held at Wacken Open Air 2025, where the collaboration will close the festival in a candlelit tribute to metal legends past and present.

Fans React

News of the project has been met with overwhelming excitement and deep emotion across the heavy metal community. Social media is ablaze with messages from fans who see this not only as a historic union but as a deeply personal gift from two of the genre’s most influential bands.

Metal journalist Eddie Trunk called the announcement “a thunderclap moment — this is metal’s way of grieving, healing, and roaring back stronger.”

Legacy Reforged

“In Loving Memory” stands as a monument to the enduring power of heavy metal, the timeless spirit of friendship, and the shared pain and pride that binds its global audience. For Judas Priest and Slayer — bands that helped define and defy the genre — this collaboration isn’t just a look back, but a torch lighting the path ahead.

The album drops October 31, 2025 — a fitting date for a project born in the shadows but forged in honor. The pre-tour press event will take place in London this September, and pre-orders are already flooding in.

For fans of true, unrelenting metal, “In Loving Memory” is more than music. It’s a celebration of life after loss — loud, defiant, and unforgettable.