S Poddar
Judicious Priest have recently announced a slew of two new dates within the UK as part of their highly anticipated 2025 Shield of Pain European tour. The iconic metal band, known for their massive influence on the genre, will perform their largest-ever show in London at the O2 Arena on July 25, with a capacity of 20,000. Adding even more excitement to the occasion, the shock rock pioneer Alice Cooper will join the stage as a special guest, promising an unforgettable night of music.
Judas Priest will head to the Scarborough Open Air Theatre for a show on July 23, bringing their electrifying show to an idyllic outdoor setting. Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons will support, adding even more to the experience for the metalheads in the region.
Both concerts’ tickets can be purchased with a presale that starts December 12 at 10 am local time through Live Nation. General sales begin on the following day at 10 am. If fans are excited to get their hands on their tickets, they should be able to do so soon.
This is after the band recently revealed most of their European dates for the 2025 Shield of Pain tour. Fans can expect a setlist which not only features their most recent album Invincible Shield, but also a performance to celebrate the 35th anniversary of one of their most cherished albums Painkiller. Judas Priest has promised a special and “rare” set to feature classic tracks from the 1990 album, adding a nostalgic flavor to their live performances. They also recently announced that they would be playing at Hellfest in Clisson, France, making their presence felt across the European festival scene.
Invincible Shield received high acclaim after being released early in the year. The album was referred to as one of the greatest works the band had come up with so far. Its most defiantly triumphant record is, according to Rich Hobson from Metal Hammer, “the most defiantly, unrelentingly triumphant record of their career.” It had been at position two in the UK where it became the band’s highest position on the UK chart ever.
As the concert dates are near, excitement for this show will only continue building since so many fans expect songs from Invincible Shield to be part of this tour. In his September interview, lead singer Rob Halford assured fans they wouldn’t be slowing up any time soon. Although Invincible Shield is a huge success, Halford was sure to confirm that it is not going to be the final Judas Priest album: “I think that it’s inevitable there will be something else. When it will happen, I have no idea.” He also spoke about the bond within the band, saying that “there’s a lot of love in this band for each other.” Judas Priest’s passion for metal, therefore, remains as strong as ever.
Judging from the records of Judas Priest’s albums, one can conclude that the group’s success never ended. Judas Priest has recently received a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 2025 Grammy awards. This adds to their long history of success and achievements. The competition in the award will be stiff because some other competitors include Metallica, Gojira, Knocked Loose x Poppy, and Spiritbox. The winner will be announced during the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on February 2.
Announcing these new UK dates and the continued success of their latest album, Judas Priest only further cement themselves as one of the most enduring and influential forces in metal. With their new tour, fans around the world will have the chance to see the band at the top of their game. For those lucky enough to attend the shows, the O2 Arena in London promises to be a historic event, filled with some of the most powerful and anthemic songs in metal history.
As Judas Priest continues to shape the future of heavy music, their legacy remains firmly intact. With their relentless commitment to their craft and their loyal fanbase, there’s no telling how far the band will go as they march into 2025 and beyond. The Shield of Pain tour is set to be a testament to their enduring impact, and with Alice Cooper alongside them, it’s sure to be a celebration of rock and metal like no other.
