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Judas Priest Ignites Europe With “Shield Of Pain” Tour Honoring 35 Years of Painkiller
Jun
Legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest has officially launched their long-awaited “Shield Of Pain” Tour, kicking off a monumental celebration of the 35th anniversary of their landmark 1990 album, Painkiller. The opening night took place at Rockfest in Turku, Finland on June 12, delivering a powerhouse 19-song set that stunned fans and lived up to decades of metal legacy.
🔥 A Night of Metal Mastery: Painkiller Front and Center
With a blistering performance featuring seven tracks from the iconic Painkiller album, Judas Priest delivered on their promise of a rare and unforgettable show. Fans were treated to live renditions of “All Guns Blazing,” “Night Crawler,” and the title track “Painkiller” itself—highlighting the ferocious energy and technical brilliance that defined the original album’s sound.
Rob Halford and company roared onto the stage with “All Guns Blazing”—performed for the first time as an opener since 2019—setting the tone for a night of pure adrenaline. Songs like “A Touch of Evil,” “One Shot At Glory,” and “Between The Hammer And The Anvil” confirmed the band’s unwavering commitment to their roots and the sonic power of Painkiller.
“This show is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said frontman Rob Halford in a recent interview. “You’ll only see the ‘Shield Of Pain’ show once. We’re defending the metal faith — with everything we’ve got.”
🎸 Setlist Surprises and Live Debuts
The night was full of surprises, including the live debut of “The Serpent And The King” and “Giants In The Sky”, which left even longtime fans in awe. Another deep cut, “Solar Angels”, was played for the first time since 2005—marking a thrilling return of one of Priest’s most atmospheric tracks.
Here’s the full Shield Of Pain Tour – Rockfest setlist:
- All Guns Blazing (first time since 2019)
- Hell Patrol
- You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
- Freewheel Burning
- Breaking The Law
- A Touch Of Evil
- Night Crawler (first time since 2012)
- Firepower
- Solar Angels (first time since 2005)
- Gates Of Hell
- Metal Gods
- The Serpent And The King (live debut)
- One Shot At Glory
- Between The Hammer And The Anvil
- Judas Rising
- Giants In The Sky (live debut)
- Painkiller
- Hell Bent For Leather
- Living After Midnight
See full information at: https://judaspriest.com/
🎥 Fan-shot video clips are already circulating online, with full concert playlists available on YouTube for fans unable to attend.
⚙️ The Power Behind the Album: Remembering Painkiller
Originally released in 1990, Painkiller remains one of Judas Priest’s most aggressive, acclaimed, and technically complex records. It was the band’s 12th studio album and first to feature drummer Scott Travis, whose lightning-fast double-kick drumming redefined Priest’s sound.
Travis’ unforgettable intro to Painkiller has since become a metal drumming benchmark, often ranked among the top drum intros of all time alongside icons like Led Zeppelin’s Rock And Roll and Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher.
“I always wanted to come up with a signature drum intro,” Travis shared in a recent interview. “And with ‘Painkiller,’ I got that chance. It’s humbling to see it recognized after all these years.”
Meanwhile, guitarist K.K. Downing once praised Travis’s arrival as a creative game-changer, allowing the band to experiment with faster, more aggressive writing: “As fast as we could play on guitar, Scott could match us on the kit. That pushed us to the next level.”
📍 Tour Dates: Where to Catch the Shield Of Pain Tour
Following the explosive Rockfest opener, the Shield Of Pain tour will continue across Europe throughout June and July, culminating with a final show at London’s iconic O2 Arena on July 25.
Next stop: Hamar, Norway – June 14
If you’re a metal fan, this is not just another tour—it’s a rare chance to witness Judas Priest honor the legacy of a genre-defining record, and to see the band that helped shape heavy metal as we know it.
🤘 Why Painkiller Still Matters — 35 Years Later
From its bone-crushing riffs to operatic vocals and unrelenting pace, Painkiller captured the spirit of metal in its purest form. More than three decades later, it still resonates.
“If you want to hear what a real metal album sounds like, put on Painkiller,” said Halford. “It’s revered by bands and fans alike. And 35 years later, it’s still under the spotlight.”
From the fierce drum solos to iconic lyrics like “Faster than a laser bullet / Louder than an atom bomb”, Painkiller set the bar—and the band is proving that Judas Priest is still the gold standard of metal.
🎫 Final Words
The Shield Of Pain tour isn’t just a concert—it’s a celebration of metal history. Whether you’ve been banging your head to Painkiller since 1990 or just discovered its raw power, this tour is a once-in-a-generation experience.
Stay tuned for more updates, setlist changes, and fan footage as Judas Priest tears across Europe in true heavy metal fashion.
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