Richie Faulkner Says Judas Priest Are Far From Retirement

The “Farewell Tour” That Happened 15 Years Ago

When guitarist Richie Faulkner joined Judas Priest in 2011, the situation surrounding the band seemed fairly clear: they were preparing for what was being promoted as their final large-scale tour. More than a decade later, that supposed farewell has turned into one of the longest and most productive chapters in the legendary metal group’s history.

Faulkner recently reflected on the unusual way he became part of the band and how unexpectedly long the journey has lasted. His original role was tied to the Epitaph World Tour, which at the time was presented as a goodbye to major touring. What initially looked like a brief chapter ultimately evolved into a long-term position that continues today. Fifteen years later, Faulkner remains one of the key figures in the modern era of Judas Priest.

When he joined the band, Faulkner stepped in following the departure of founding guitarist K.K. Downing. The timing was intense, as the group was preparing for a tour that many fans believed would mark the closing stage of Judas Priest’s career on the road. Instead, the experience reignited the band’s energy and pushed them toward a new creative phase rather than bringing things to an end.

Since Faulkner became part of the lineup, Judas Priest have remained highly active. The band continued releasing new music and touring worldwide, demonstrating that their creative drive was far from exhausted. Albums such as Redeemer of Souls (2014), Firepower (2018), and Invincible Shield (2024) helped cement this renewed momentum and proved that the group could still deliver powerful material decades into their career.

The band’s longevity appears to be fueled by a cycle that has sustained them for years: performing live inspires new ideas, and those ideas eventually lead back into the studio. That constant movement between touring and recording has kept the band energized and prevented the story from ending when many expected it would.

Looking ahead, the members of Judas Priest are still thinking about what might come next creatively. Discussions about future music continue to surface, and the possibility of another studio release remains open as long as inspiration keeps flowing within the group.

For Faulkner, being part of the ongoing story of Judas Priest remains a remarkable experience. Having grown up admiring the pioneers of heavy metal, he now plays an active role in carrying forward the legacy of one of the genre’s most influential bands.

And despite the fact that the group once announced a farewell tour, their continued activity suggests that the end of the road is still nowhere in sight.