Judas Priest will release their new album, Invincible Shield, this Friday, March 8. In a new interview with Greg Prato for AllMusic.com, bassist Ian Hill discusses the new album, his picks for favorite and most underrated Priest album, and if a 20th studio album is a possibility. An expert from the chat follows...

Q: Which Judas Priest album is your favorite and why?

Ian Hill: "It's probably Defenders Of The Faith. It was the end of that road, really. You can trace the roots of that album all the way back to Rocka Rolla. After that, we did the pretty much experimental Turbo – with guitar synthesizers. And then we ran off on a harder edge altogether – with Ram It Down and Painkiller. I think that's probably still my favorite from all those years ago – as a whole."

Q: Which Priest album is the most underrated?

Hill: "Probably Point Of Entry. We were slighted with that – people were saying, 'Oh, it's really commercial.' But at least it got us through to a more mainstream audience. If you get a song on…it used to be 'AM radio,' which is now 'mainstream media' I suppose, you get yourself a track on that, and your audience expanded by a gazillion. Whereas just keeping it on the rock channels and the metal channels – again, the audience is there, but you're not trying to get yourself across to any new fans. So, that's one. And the other ones are the Ripper albums [1997's Jugulator and 2001's Demolition]. Especially Demolition is overlooked."

Q: Are you still in touch with KK Downing and would you ever consider working with him again?

Hill: "I think he's gone a bit too far for that now. I gave him a couple of chances to basically say hello, and he blanked me. So, he ain't going to get another chance. It's a pity the way it's turned out. But things are what they are."

Read more at AllMusic.com.

There will be a global album listening party for Judas Priest's latest metal masterpiece, Invincible Shield, on Thursday, March 7 at various metal bars in 30 cities around the world. See list below - and check your local metal bar for exact time and details, many of which will also be offering giveaways and custom Judas Priest-themed cocktails for their event.

If you live near Daytona Beach, you will be able to experience a special Judas Priest pop-up shop on Saturday, March 9 from 3-5 PM at Atlantic Sounds, which will be operating out of a custom Judas Priest military combat truck – “an invincible shield on wheels” – playing the album to the 500K+ attendees at Daytona Bike Week.  Harley Davidson will be leading a 100-biker brigade from Orlando to Daytona at 9 AM, ET.

Fans can also find the truck and brigade at the Daytona International Speedway for a special parade lap at 12 PM, ET before the Daytona 200. Come celebrate the release of Invincible Shield with your fellow headbangers!

Invincible Shield listening parties happening at these fine metal bars:

Aachen, Germany - Schlüsselloch
Atlanta, GA - Boggs Social
Augsburg, Germany - Spectrum
Austin, TX - The Lost Well
Bangor, ME - Geno’s Rock Club
Berlin, Germany – Halford
Brooklyn, NY - Rocka Rolla
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Strummer Bar
Chicago, IL - Liar’s Club
Denver, CO – Trve Brewing
Houston, TX - Brash Brewing
Indianapolis, IN - Black Circle
London, UK - The Black Heart
Los Angeles, CA - Rainbow Bar & Grill
Magdeburg, Germany - Flowerpower
Mepen, Germany - Alte Wäscherei
Milan, Italy - Headbanger’s Pub
Montreal, QC - Mutoïde Microbrasserie
Nersingen, Germany - Rocks
Orlando, FL - Dirty Laundry
Paris, France - Dr. Feelgood’s
Providence, RI - The Scurvy Dog
Richmond, VA - Cobra Cabana
San Antonio, TX - Bonds 007
St. Louis, MO - Headless Bat
Stockholm, Sweden - Garlic & Shots
Toronto, ON - Bovine Sex Club
Uetze, Germany (Hanover) - Farmer’s Inn
Vienna, Austria - U4 Club
Washington, DC - Slash Run

Over the past 50 years Judas Priest have sold over 50 million albums worldwide and headlined the world’s biggest stages. With their evolving music and live performances also came a powerful unique identity, a look which has both defined the group and influenced future generations of metal bands the world over. With each year, the Judas Priest legend continues to grow; 2022 saw them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and complete a sold-out rescheduled world tour in support of their 50th Anniversary. As we roll into 2024, Judas Priest continue to retain their crown as one of the biggest and best British bands in the world.

Invincible Shield can be pre-ordered here.

Tracklisting:

"Panic Attack"
"The Serpent And The King"
"Invincible Shield"
"Devil In Disguise"
"Crown Of Horns"
"As God Is My Witness"
"Trial By Fire"
"Escape From Reality"
"Sons Of Thunder"
"Giants In The Sky"

"Crown Of Horns" lyric video:

"Panic Attack" video:

"Trial By Fire" video:

"Trial By Fire" lyric video:

“Panic Attack” lyric video:

Invincible Shield album trailer:

Judas Priest will also delight fans with a world tour this year, the UK leg kicks off in Glasgow on March 11 before taking on North America in April and May.  See below for full North American tour routing and head to judaspriestinvincibleshield.com for tickets.

Tour dates:

April
18 - Wallingford, CT - Toyota Oakdale Theatre
9 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
21 - Reading, PA - Santander Arena
24 - Bangor, ME - Cross Insurance Center
25 - Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
27 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Center*
28 - Indianapolis, IN - Everwise Amphitheater at White River

May
1 - Rosemont, IL - Rosemont Theatre
2 - Minneapolis, MN - The Armory
4 - Kalamazoo, MI - Wings Event Center*
5 - Maryland Heights, MO - St Louis Music Park
7 - Huntsville, AL - VBC Propst Arena*
9 - Daytona, FL - Welcome to Rockville^
11 - Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
12 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center Arena*
14 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
16 - Columbus, OH - Historic Crew Stadium ^
17 - Evansville, IN - Ford Center*
19 - Washington, DC -The Theater at MGM National Harbor
21 - Albany, NY - MVP Arena
22 - Syracuse, NY - Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview

* Not a Live Nation Date
^ Festival Performance