For the past few weeks, metalheads worldwide have undoubtedly been enjoying the sneak peak title track from Judas Priest's forthcoming Redeemer Of Souls album. And today (Monday, May 19th), the official leadoff single from the album, "March Of The Damned," has been released to rock and metal radio, and will be available for purchase via all digital sales providers. Additionally, on the same day, preorders for the full album will be made available through iTunes.

As the band themselves said about "March of the Damned," "Our passion for heavy metal has never diminished, and this track sounds off with real conviction!" Listen to the new song below:

There are only a select number of bands that have accomplished what Judas Priest has throughout their career (as well as having served as a stylistic influence on such a wide variety of bands). Soon the group - singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis - will be offering up more classic Judas Priest metal with the release of Redeemer Of Souls.

To be released in July (as a standard version and a deluxe edition with five bonus tracks), Redeemer Of Souls is Judas Priest's latest collection of epic metal - "raising the bar is consistent for us and 'Redeemer' hits the ground running" - it matches up perfectly to earlier Priest classics - the band mean business once again.

"We feel Redeemer Of Souls reinforces our passion for what we believe in from the Judas Priest style heavy metal." The album also marks Richie Faulkner's studio debut with Priest and is the co-writer of the material along with Glenn Tipton and Rob Halford.

First bursting onto the scene with 1974's Rocka Rolla, Judas Priest is responsible for some of heavy metal's all-time great albums - 1980's British Steel, 1982's Screaming for Vengeance, 1990's Painkiller, etc - and anthems "Breaking The Law", "Living After Midnight", "You've Got Another Thing Coming", etc - as well as trailblazing metal's now instantly identifiable look - leather and studs - 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the band.

And while fans are undoubtedly starved for more Priest (their last studio album Nostradamus was released in 2008) the band themselves are eager for the world to hear their latest studio triumph.

"Classic combination of all the statements we love to create with raging guitar riffs and solos, thundering drums, thick grooves of bass and vocals tearing it all up!"

Redeemer Of Souls tracklisting:

"Dragonaut"
"Redeemer Of Souls"
"Halls Of Valhalla"
"Sword Of Damocles"
"March Of The Damned"
"Down In Flames"
"Hell & Back"
"Cold Blooded"
"Metalizer"
"Crossfire"
"Secrets Of The Dead"
"Battle Cry"
"Beginning Of The End"

Bonus Tracks:

"Snakebite"
"Tears Of Blood"
"Creatures"
"Bring It On"
"Never Forget"

"Redeemer Of Souls", the first single from the album (artwork above) is streaming below:

Redeemer Of Souls release dates:

Friday, July 11th - Australia, Austria, Benelux, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.

Monday, July 14th - Asia (excluding Japan), Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, UK.

Tuesday, July 15th - Canada, Italy, Latin America, Russia, Spain, US.

Wednesday, July 16th - Japan.