Judas Priest Returns, Tour With Anthrax Set For Fall

07/29/2001 10:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Bruce Simon

(7/29/01, 10 a.m. ET) -- Judas Priest returns Tuesday (July 31) with Demolition, the band's first album since 1997's Jugulator. It's the second collection to feature Tim "Ripper" Owens, the American singer who was fronting a Priest cover band when he was picked to replace Rob Halford.

Lead guitarist K.K. Downing told LAUNCH why Judas Priest chose Owens after Halford's departure. "We had to find somebody that could actually go out there on, on tour with us and sing all these classic Priest songs. And we wanted somebody that had all the capabilities that, obviously, our former vocalist had, so that none of our fans would be let down in any way, shape, or form," he said.

To support Demolition, Priest will hit the road in September and October on a U.S. tour that will feature fellow metal mavens Anthrax and Pure Rubbish. One of the highlight nights will be October 3 in Chicago, when Anthrax's set will be recorded for a live album. It's unknown whether or not any special guests will join the show, but Anthrax has never shied away from playing with other musicians, so anything could happen.

The Judas Priest/Anthrax/Pure Rubbish itinerary (subject to change):

September 14 - Universal City, CA - Universal Amphitheatre

September 15 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield

September 17 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues

September 19 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre

September 21 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre

September 22 - Selma, TX - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

September 23 - Houston, TX - Aerial Theatre at Bayou Palace

September 25 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues

September 26 - Jacksonville, FL - Edge 2000

September 28 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing

September 29 - Miami, FL - Miami Arena

September 30 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House Of Blues

October 1 - Atlanta, GA - DeKalb Atlanta Center

October 3 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre (Anthrax recording live album here)

October 4 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom

October 5 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre

October 6 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall

October 7 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace Of Auburn Hills

October 9 - TBA

October 10 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre

October 12 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom

October 13 - Washington, DC - Nation

October 14 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory

-- Bruce Simon, New York

Got news tips, comments, or questions? Send them to newstips@launch.com.