Judas Priest – Firepower (2018): A Definitive Album Guide
Firepower, released on March 9, 2018, is the twenty-first studio album by Judas Priest and a landmark in their legacy, marking a triumphant return to high-octane, classic heavy metal. The album showcases the band’s signature twin-guitar attack, precision drumming, and Rob Halford’s legendary vocals, while blending modern production with the energy of their 1980s heyday.
Album Overview
Recorded at Goatboy Studios in California and produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap, Firepower demonstrates a perfect balance between classic Judas Priest heavy metal and contemporary sonic clarity.
Halford’s vocals are powerful, operatic, and commanding, with his trademark high-pitched screams on tracks like “Lightning Strike.” Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner provide razor-sharp riffs, harmonized leads, and technically intricate solos, while Scott Travis’ drumming drives the speed and aggression throughout. Ian Hill’s bass provides a solid foundation, keeping the groove tight and punchy.
The album’s lyrical themes include warfare, heroism, rebellion, and personal empowerment, reflecting the band’s enduring heavy metal ethos while updating their sound for modern audiences.
Tracklist
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Firepower
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Lightning Strike
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Necromancer
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Never the Heroes
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Guardians
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Traitors Gate
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Rising from Ruins
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Spectre
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Murderous Heart
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Children of the Sun
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Sea of Red
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No Surrender
Deluxe editions include bonus live tracks and single edits.
Album Credits
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Band Members:
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Rob Halford – vocals
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Glenn Tipton – guitar
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Richie Faulkner – guitar
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Ian Hill – bass
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Scott Travis – drums
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Production:
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Produced by: Tom Allom & Andy Sneap
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Engineered by: Andy Sneap
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Recorded at: Goatboy Studios, California
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Artwork:
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Cover art: Mark Wilkinson
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Concept: A fiery metallic eagle soaring through flames, symbolizing power, resilience, and metal supremacy
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Commercial Performance & Grossing Info
Firepower debuted at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard 200, making it Judas Priest’s highest-charting album in the United States since Turbo (1986).
The album sold over 50,000 copies in the first week in the US, with strong sales globally, boosted by singles like “Firepower” and “Lightning Strike” and an accompanying world tour.
Critical Reception
Critics hailed Firepower as a return to form for Judas Priest, praising the band for combining their classic 1980s metal energy with modern production and fresh songwriting. Halford’s vocals were celebrated for retaining power and precision, while Tipton and Faulkner’s guitar work was lauded as intricate, fast, and harmonically rich.
Many reviewers considered Firepower one of the best Judas Priest albums in decades, noting it successfully bridged their legendary past with contemporary metal audiences.
Fun Facts
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The title track “Firepower” was co-written with producer Andy Sneap, who also helped modernize the album’s sound.
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Richie Faulkner’s guitar work added a youthful energy that revitalized the classic twin-guitar dynamic.
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The band focused on creating songs that were both fast, aggressive, and arena-ready, capturing the essence of their live shows.
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The album’s artwork, featuring a metallic eagle, became an iconic symbol of Judas Priest’s enduring strength in metal.
Trivia
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“Lightning Strike” features one of the fastest and most technical drum performances by Scott Travis in the band’s catalog.
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The track “Rising from Ruins” demonstrates a mix of melodic hooks and classic metal riffing, reminiscent of Painkiller and British Steel.
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The album was written and recorded as a cohesive statement of the band’s power and relevance in the 2010s.
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Firepower was supported by the “Firepower World Tour,” one of the most successful tours of Judas Priest’s career, spanning North America, Europe, and South America.
Did You Know?
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Did you know Firepower is the first Judas Priest album since Angel of Retribution (2005) to feature Tom Allom as co-producer?
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Did you know the album was celebrated for combining the aggressive speed of Painkiller with the melodic accessibility of British Steel?
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Did you know Richie Faulkner contributed significantly to the songwriting, bringing a fresh perspective to the band’s sound?
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Did you know Firepower is widely regarded as one of Judas Priest’s heaviest, fastest, and most modern albums in their long career?
