JUDAS PRIEST have confirmed that their 2024 album "Invincible Shield" has surpassed one million combined sales and streams-equivalent units globally, marking their most commercially successful release since "Painkiller" in 1990. The milestone, confirmed by the band's label Epic Records, represents a remarkable achievement for a band in their sixth decade, and underscores the extraordinary resurgence JUDAS PRIEST have experienced in the 2020s following a period in the mid-2010s when their commercial relevance appeared to be waning.
Speaking to Metal Hammer from the road, vocalist Rob Halford — who returned to the band in 2003 after nearly a decade's absence — expressed profound emotion at the sales figure. "I have been singing with these incredible musicians for over 50 years, and 'Invincible Shield' might be the record that proves we are still capable of surprise," Halford said. "We didn't make a nostalgia record. We made a JUDAS PRIEST record, and the fans responded." The album, produced by Tom Allom — who helmed the band's classic recordings including "British Steel" (1980) and "Screaming for Vengeance" (1982) — was praised for its combination of classic Heavy Metal energy and modern production clarity.
Alongside the sales announcement, JUDAS PRIEST have confirmed an extension of their "Invincible Shield World Tour," adding 18 dates across North America for October and November 2026, including a headline slot at the inaugural Texas Metal Fest in San Antonio and two nights at Madison Square Garden. The tour extension will also include dates in Japan (September 5–12) and a five-night residency in London's O2 Arena (November 15–20) to close out the year. Guitarist Richie Faulkner confirmed in a separate interview that the band is also discussing material for a potential studio follow-up.