Guitarist Glenn Tipton reunited with JUDAS PRIEST on stage during their recent hometown show on Tuesday night (March 19) at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England
As he has done multiple times over the past six years, Tipton joined JUDAS PRIEST for the encore, delivering electrifying renditions of “Metal Gods” and “Living After Midnight”.
Tipton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a decade ago (though he had been battling the condition for at least five years prior), had announced in early 2018 that he would step back from touring activities in support of JUDAS PRIEST‘s “Firepower” album. His absence was filled by Andy Sneap, renowned for his production work on “Firepower” and “Invincible Shield,” and also recognized for his contributions to NWOBHM revivalists HELL and thrash outfit SABBAT.
Glenn, who turned 76 last October, told Guitar World magazine about his Parkinson’s diagnosis: “It was upsetting, but I wasn’t really shocked because I sort of thought it was Parkinson’s. I probably hoped it wasn’t but the doctor said it was.”
Touching on his being told that he had likely had the disease for between 10 and 15 years already, Glenn said: “Hearing that I already had Parkinson’s for a long time made me even more determined to fight. I could still play, so I just continued recording and touring.”
About a month before the opening date of JUDAS PRIEST‘s “Firepower” tour, Tipton realized he could not guarantee that he would be able to execute an energetic, precision performance with the band night after night and “decided that it was really going to be too much for me,” he told Guitar World. “With the medication and the time zone changes and everything else, I realized it was time to retire — from touring at least. I don’t ever want to compromise JUDAS PRIEST. It’s too big a part of my life.”
“Invincible Shield,” released on March 8 via Sony Music, marked another chapter in JUDAS PRIEST‘s enduring legacy.
The iconic British heavy metal band’s 19th studio album made an impressive debut on the official U.K. chart, securing the No. 2 position, trailing just behind Ariana Grande‘s “Eternal Sunshine“.
This marks a significant milestone for JUDAS PRIEST, surpassing their previous best performance on the U.K. charts, which was with “British Steel” back in 1980, peaking at No. 4.
Their 2018 release, “Firepower“, had debuted at No. 5, making “Invincible Shield” an even greater accomplishment.
“Invincible Shield” now joins the ranks of PRIEST‘s Top 10 albums, alongside “British Steel“, “Firepower“, “Redeemer Of Souls” (2014) at No. 6, and the live album “Unleashed In The East” (1979) at No. 10.
The album has already claimed the top spot in Germany and Sweden, with several other European countries poised to follow suit.
The announcement of PRIEST‘s latest album release date came during their performance at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California, last October. The event was marked by the iconic intro of BLACK SABBATH‘s “War Pigs“, setting the stage for the unveiling of “Invincible Shield” through a captivating graphic displayed on the video screens.
Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, the iconic JUDAS PRIEST is a legendary heavy metal band known for their powerful vocals, dual guitar harmonies, and electrifying stage presence. With a career spanning over five decades, they’ve released iconic albums like “British Steel” and “Screaming for Vengeance,” shaping the metal genre with hits such as “Breaking the Law” and “Painkiller.”
Their influence extends across generations, earning them a devoted global fanbase and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. JUDAS PRIEST continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their timeless music and uncompromising dedication to the metal ethos.