Judas Priest frontman, Rob Halford, recently spoke with Q104.3 New York's Out Of The Box host Jonathan Clarke, and during the chat offered an update on the band's forthcoming new album.

Asked if it's true that the album "is very close to being completed", Halford says: "It is close, yeah. All the writing's done; the bulk of the recording is done. I've still gotta put my vocal tracks down. So, in essence, it's done, which is a great feeling, because again, that really points us to the metal future. Everything that we've done in Priest over the last 50-odd years has been driven by the latest music that we're making. So this is no exception. We'll finish this 50th anniversary celebration down in São Paulo, Brazil on December the 18th, and that'll be this year done. And then next year we're kicking off with our good friend Ozzy in the UK, we'll do some shows with him, and in Europe. And then a few other bits and pieces we've got going over in Europe. And then we stop. And then we plan the next release sequence for the next Priest album."

Watch the interview below:

In an excerpt from BraveWords' upcoming Streaming For Vengeance chat with Rob Halford, we ask him if he recalls the first time he threw thorns up at an audience?

BraveWords' Streaming For Vengeance with Rob Halford airs on Saturday, November 5 at 3:33 PM EST on the BraveWords Facebook page and the BraveWords YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the BraveWords YouTube channel to not miss the full interview.

Halford will release his new book, Biblical: Rob Halford's Heavy Metal Scriptures, on November 1 via Hachette Books.

"After my penitence with CONFESS, it's time for me to be BIBLICAL and take our congregation through all the ins and out and ups and downs of what it takes to make the life of the Metal God," Halford said in a statement. "So get comfy in your pew and prepare for the light of revelations by becoming BIBLICAL!"

Description: The Metal God, himself, Rob Halford - lead vocalist of Judas Priest and author of the critically acclaimed and reader-beloved autobiography, Confess - delivers yet again, now with the bible of hard rock and heavy metal, all in his enlightening, hilarious, and one-of-a-kind voice.

Rob Halford has long been known for his legendary voice. As the front man of Judas Priest, his vocals have been tremendous, and tremendously influential. In 2020, he brought his voice to the page with a glorious autobiography. Fans and readers loved Halford’s frank and open narrative, as well as his terrific insight and sense of humor. In an ideal follow-up, Halford runs his lively eye over all facets of the hard rock history and the heavy metal world.

Biblical is an encyclopedia and manifesto in which Halford shares his opinions, memories, and anecdotes regarding every element of the rock and roll work and lifestyle from tours to tattoos, riffs to riders, and drugs to devil horns. In Halford’s relaxed and honest tone, the book mixes serious and in-depth pieces with whimsical reflections on lessons learned during his fifty years of a life in music. Biblical is a handed-down-from-on-high holy tome that transports fans behind the scenes and back into their record collections, to the almighty ways of rock.

You can pre-order the hardcover and Nook Book editions of the book here.

In the new video below from AXS TV, Halford talks to Katie Daryl about Judas Priest's "50 Heavy Metal Years" Tour, the band's tour plans with Ozzy Osbourne, the inspiration surrounding their hit, "Lightning Strike", and much more.

In regards to the upcoming tour with Ozzy, Halford says, "Finally, it's happening. Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne in our home country initially, kicking off a UK tour together. Never been done before. It's gonna be sensational, to be on the stages through the UK with a dear, dear friend of hours. It's gonna be a blast!"

Asked if he plans to collaborate with Ozzy during the tour, Rob reveals, "That's what we do in heavy metal and rock 'n roll, you know, that saying 'having each others backs', yeah, who knows what's going to happen. But, if you can make it to the UK, or Europe - is there an American thing looming, I don't know - because this is something very, very special, the Priest and the Ozzman together... it's gonna be crazy."

Ozzy Osbourne / Judas Priest 2022 European dates:

January
26 - Berlin, Germany - Mercedes-Benz Arena
28 - Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena
31 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion

February
2 - Budapest, Hungary - Budapest Arena (Ozzy only)
5 - Madrid, Spain - WiZink Center
8 - Bologna, Italy - Unipol Arena
11 - Mannheim, Germany - SAP Arena
14 - Hamburg, Germany - Barclaycard Arena
17 - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
19 - Stockholm, Sweden - Friends Arena
21 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
24 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
27 - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena

March
1 - Dublin, Ireland - 3Arena
4 - Birmingham, UK - Resorts World Arena
7 - London, UK - The O2
9 - Manchester, UK - AO Arena
12 - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
14 - Glasgow, UK - The SSE Hydro

(Photo - Joel Barrios)