Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner has confirmed that the legendary metal band is currently recording a new album. He revealed details about the recording process in an interview with The Metal Voice.
Faulkner discussed the band’s recent studio activities and shared insights about his role within the long-running metal outfit.
“We’ve started recording it. Yeah, we were in the studio for a month in February laying the foundation. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that, but I’ve said it,” Faulkner said.
The guitarist also reflected on his position within the band and their ongoing creative cycle.
“I say all the time, I’m part of a team. They’ve been doing it for 50-odd years. I’m part of the team now, and it is the crew and the management and everyone that pitches together to make that machine roll. And I can see how they’ve been doing it for that long,” he continued. “I’ve said to you guys before — they love it. And we’ll do a tour and then we’ll get excited and do an album, and then you get excited for the album and do another tour. So I can see how it happens. And we’re doing another album, and we’ll probably tour that.”
The new album will serve as the follow-up to Judas Priest’s ‘Invincible Shield’ release.
This upcoming release marks a significant milestone for the metal legends. It will be their 20th studio album in a career spanning over five decades. Metal Injection reported that bassist Ian Hill had previously confirmed that the band was eyeing a return to the studio in 2026 to begin recording new material.
The recording process appears to be well underway. New Noise Magazine noted that the band plans additional studio time throughout 2026, with Faulkner already contributing creative ideas to the project. This collaborative approach demonstrates the guitarist’s growing influence within the band since joining as a permanent member.
Beyond their studio work, Judas Priest is also expanding their presence in other media. Louder Sound revealed that the band is promoting their new film “The Ballad Of Judas Priest,” which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. This adds another dimension to their 2026 activities.
The timing of this new album coincides with other significant anniversaries for the band. Blabbermouth confirmed that March 26, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of their landmark album “Sad Wings of Destiny,” which helped establish their place in heavy metal history. The band is celebrating this milestone with special anniversary editions of the influential 1976 release.
