Judas Priest to release new studio album on December 28, 2004

NEW YORK (Epic Records) - The long wait for new music from the definitive Judas Priest lineup of vocalist Rob Halford, lead guitarist Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist K.K. Downing, bass guitarist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis is nearly over.

Judas Priest will release a new studio album on December 28, 2004, worldwide on Sony Music (Sony's Epic Records label in North America). The album title and track listing is forthcoming.

As a special bonus, a live concert DVD filmed during shows in Barcelona and Valencia in Spain in June 2004 will be included in the initial shipment.
The new album is the first from the Halford/Tipton/Downing/Hill/Travis lineup since 1990's acclaimed 'Painkiller.'

Tipton recently described the new album as "classic Priest" to 'Entertainment Tonight': "Even though we've evolved, it is recognizable Priest. The formula between myself, K.K. and Rob has been tried and tested. It was fantastic to all get back in the same room."

Judas Priest has celebrated its reunion with triumphant concerts in summer 2004. The band first conquered Europe and is now in the middle of the Ozzfest tour, for which rave reviews for its performances are the norm. Select non-Ozzfest dates are included on this North American rampage.

The most recent release from Judas Priest is the critically acclaimed, best-selling box set career retrospective 'Metalogy' on Sony Music/Legacy Recordings.
The full power of Judas Priest will be on display when the band embarks on a headlining world tour in early 2005 immediately following the release of the new album.