Judas Priest Ignites the Stage with “Shield of Pain” Tour Celebrating 35 Years of Painkiller

Judas Priest Ignites the Stage with “Shield of Pain” Tour Celebrating 35 Years of Painkiller

August 12, 2025 — Montreal, QC
Heavy metal titans Judas Priest are roaring across North America on their electrifying “Shield of Pain” tour, commemorating the 35th anniversary of their landmark 1990 album Painkiller. The tour, which kicked off in early July, has already delivered blistering performances in cities from Los Angeles to Toronto, with Montreal set to host the metal legends this weekend.

A Tribute to a Metal Milestone

Released in September 1990, Painkiller marked a pivotal moment in Judas Priest’s career. With its thunderous title track, relentless double-kick drumming, and Rob Halford’s soaring vocals, the album redefined the band’s sound and cemented their place in the pantheon of heavy metal.

Now, 35 years later, the band is celebrating that legacy with a tour that’s both nostalgic and ferociously current.

“Painkiller was a turning point for us—it was pure metal fury,” said frontman Rob Halford in a recent interview. “This tour is our way of honoring that spirit and sharing it with a new generation of fans.”

Setlist Packed with Classics

Fans attending the “Shield of Pain” tour can expect a setlist that leans heavily into Painkiller, with tracks like:

• “Painkiller”
• “Hell Patrol”
• “Night Crawler”
• “Touch of Evil”

The band also weaves in fan favorites from across their discography, including “Electric Eye,” “Breaking the Law,” and “Victim of Changes,” creating a sonic journey through five decades of metal mastery.

Stage Production and Surprises

The tour’s stage design is a spectacle in itself—featuring flaming pyrotechnics, a massive mechanical eagle, and Halford’s iconic motorcycle entrance. Longtime guitarist Richie Faulkner and returning member K.K. Downing share shredding duties, delivering dueling solos that have left audiences stunned.

Rumors are swirling that the band may debut a new track from their upcoming album Metal Resurrection, slated for release in early 2026.

Upcoming Dates

The “Shield of Pain” tour continues through September, with stops in:

• Montreal, QC – August 16
• Chicago, IL – August 20
• New York, NY – August 24
• London, UK – September 5

Tickets are selling fast, and die-hard fans are calling it one of the band’s most powerful tours in years.