A MUCH, MUCH, MUCH BETTER DECISION THAN PLAYING NOSTRADAMUS IN ITS ENTIRETY

Less than a year ago Judas Priest were threatening to pull an Iron Maiden and play their most recent, snooze-inducing album, Nostradamus, live in its entirety; either the band’s handlers told them that was really, really shitty idea, or the band just realized that they like making money, because now they’ve announced that they’ll “celebrate the 30th anniversary” of their classic release British Steel by playing it live from start to finish on their summer headlining tour.

Of course, no one seems to have told them that they’ll actually be celebrating the 29th anniversary of the release of British Steel, which came out in the Spring of 1980. But, hey, they’re old and my dad can’t remember what year it is either, so I sympathize.

ANYWAY, British Steel isn’t my favorite Priest record, but it’s obviously a damn fine one and Halford and company can still bring it live. So this should be a good time.

Here’s Priest performing “Living After Midnight” live in 1982. Announced tour dates thus far are after the jump; support will come from Whitesnake, which means I might actually be able to talk my woman into coming with. Rad.

TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED THUS FAR:

Jul. 01 – The Family Arena – St. Charles, MO
Jul. 02 – Summerfest, Harley Davidson Stage – Milwaukee, WI
Jul. 03 – Taste Of Minnesota at Harriet Island – St. Paul, MN
Jul. 09 – Molson Amphitheatre – Toronto, ON
Jul. 11 – PNC Banks Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
Jul. 12 – Nikon At Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
Jul. 17 – Moondance Jam 18 – Walker, MN
Jul. 18 – Rockfest/Chippewa Valley Music – Cadott, WI
Aug. 02 – Gibson Amphitheatre – Universal City, CA

-AR