Judas Priest Announces Farewell Tour—But Is This Really the End of Metal Gods?
After over five decades of delivering pure, unrelenting heavy metal, Judas Priest has officially announced what they are calling their “Final Scream” Farewell Tour—sending shockwaves through the metal community worldwide. The announcement was made via the band’s official social media accounts, with frontman Rob Halford delivering an emotional video message to fans, thanking them for “a lifetime of loyalty, passion, and metal energy.”
The farewell tour, slated to kick off in Spring 2026, will span across five continents, including stops in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. The tour is being promoted as a celebration of their legendary career and a way to give fans a final chance to see the Metal Gods in full force. The setlist is expected to be stacked with hits from classic albums like British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, Painkiller, and Firepower.
But is this truly the end?
That’s the question many fans are asking, and even music industry insiders seem uncertain. Though the band insists this will be their final global tour, Rob Halford was quick to clarify that this “doesn’t mean the end of Judas Priest’s music.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, Halford said, “We’ve got more material. We still love creating. This tour is a goodbye to the road—not to the fans.”
Founding guitarist Glenn Tipton, who has continued to perform selectively despite his battle with Parkinson’s, is expected to join on several key dates, making this tour even more historic. “We’re not just playing songs,” said Tipton. “We’re celebrating a legacy.”
Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, and has since become one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. With their twin-guitar attack, soaring vocals, and leather-and-studs aesthetic, they helped define the genre itself.
As tickets sell out in minutes and fans across generations prepare to say goodbye, one thing is clear—this isn’t just a farewell tour. It’s a thunderous tribute to a band that helped build the very foundation of metal.
Whether this is truly the final bow or just the closing of a chapter, Judas Priest remains immortal in the heart of heavy metal.
