Richie Faulkner on 12 Years with Judas Priest, Balancing Solo Projects & Priest Identity | Interview

Richie Faulkner on 12 Years with Judas Priest, Balancing Solo Projects & Priest Identity | Interview

Amidst the ever-shifting tides of musical taste, one truth remains unwavering: heavy metal endures, and none embody its essence quite like Judas Priest. While the genesis of the genre may be attributed elsewhere, it's Priest who have fervently carried its torch, shaping its ethos since the late '70s. Their latest offering, "Invincible Shield," is a testament to this unwavering dedication, a testament that resonates with the power of a thousand Marshall stacks. Guitar Interactive talks with co-lead guitarist for the iconic metal outfit Richie Faulkner.

The saga of Judas Priest is one of metal's greatest stories: a rise, a dip, and a triumphant resurgence. Despite waning critical acclaim during the '90s, true metalheads have always recognized Priest as a towering benchmark. Rob Halford's return in 2005 with "Angel of Retribution" marked a significant milestone, reaffirming their position at the apex.

"Nostradamus" (2008) and "Redeemer of Souls" (2014) further cemented their dominance. By the time "Firepower" roared onto the scene in 2018, produced by the esteemed Andy Sneap, there was no denying that Priest had reclaimed their throne.

Among the soaring vocals and thunderous beats stands Richie Faulkner, a vital force in Priest's ongoing saga. Joining the band in 2011, Faulkner brought a new energy and vitality to their sound, seamlessly integrating with the established lineup. His blistering solos and dynamic stage presence have solidified his place as a key figure in the modern incarnation of Judas Priest. With "Invincible Shield," Faulkner's contributions shine brightly, further enhancing the band's legendary status. As they continue to write their chapter in the annals of heavy metal history, Faulkner stands proudly alongside his bandmates as one of the biggest driving factors.

"Invincible Shield" is a relentless barrage of pure metal fury, a testament to Priest's unwavering commitment to the cause. Produced once again by Sneap, their 19th studio effort hits like a sledgehammer from start to finish. If heavy metal courses through your veins, this album will resonate with every fibre of your being.

What made "Firepower" exceptional was its ability to channel the classic intensity of Priest's past into a modern sonic landscape. "Invincible Shield" takes this a step further, delivering a crushing yet celebratory onslaught that eclipses its predecessor. From the blistering opener "Panic Attack" to the thunderous "The Serpent And The King," Priest prove they're anything but a heritage act. With Halford's soaring vocals, Faulkner and Tipton's relentless riffage, and the powerhouse rhythm section of Hill and Travis, Priest emerges as a phoenix reborn, their vitality undiminished by time.

Even amidst the sonic onslaught, "Invincible Shield" offers moments of introspection. Tracks like "Devil In Disguise" and "Gates Of Hell" showcase Priest's ability to balance aggression with melody, while "Crown Of Horns" stands as a testament to the band's enduring spirit.

In the eyes of critics and fans alike, "Invincible Shield" is a triumph. With universal acclaim pouring in from music critics and fans alike, Judas Priest proves they're operating at near-hall-of-fame levels once again.

During his time as the co-lead guitarist for the legendary metal band Judas Priest and as the guitarist for the metal supergroup Elegant Weapons, Richie is a longtime player of the Gibson Flying V. And in turn, the Gibson Custom Shop is proud to introduce the Richie Faulkner Flying VCustom from Gibson Custom Shop.

The Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom brings his personal touches to the model, including a one-piece mahogany body with a full-face pickguard, multi-ply binding, a mahogany neck with a custom profile, and an ebony fretboard with a mother-of-pearl falcon inlay at the 12th fret. It also has a Floyd Rose vibrato and Richie's signature EMG pickup set. The electronics are stripped-down, with just a pickup selector switch and a single volume control, giving you everything you need with nothing to get in your way. Only 100 of these ultra-premium Flying V models will be crafted by the luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop as part of this very limited special limited run. The Gibson Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom arrives in a stunning Pelham Blue finish, complete with a hardshell case, as well as case candy developed in collaboration with Richie.

"This guitar has become a good friend of mine over the past couple of years and is the latest evolution of my main guitar with Priest for the past 12 years," says Richie Faulkner. "It's something that has evolved as I have both on stage and in the studio, in looks and in sound. Whenever I see that double pick guard and Pelham blue, I know that that is my guitar. With the Floyd Rose, signature EMG pickups and striking appearance I know that armed with my faithful Flying V, I will be able to deliver every night. Beautiful yet deadly, elegant yet sonically powerful it is the number one guitar in my Arsenal."

While performing onstage with Judas Priest at the Louder than Life festival (September 26, 2021), Richie suffered a rare aortic aneurysm and complete aortic dissection. Despite having zero history of heart issues, Richie was rushed into open-heart surgery at a nearby hospital, and luckily, he fully recovered and has decided to pay it forward. Richie will be spreading the proceeds from his Flying V Custom to the John Ritter Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Judas Priest's hugely anticipated new studio album 'Invincible Shield' is out now worldwide via Columbia Records.

JUDAS PRIEST: INVINCIBLE SHIELD TRACKLIST

1. Panic Attack
2. The Serpent and the King
3. Invincible Shield
4. Devil in Disguise
5. Gates of Hell
6. Crown of Horns
7. As God is my Witness
8. Trial by Fire
9. Escape From Reality
10. Sons of Thunder
11. Giants in the Sky

In celebration of their latest opus, Judas Priest is currently on a world tour that kicked off in Glasgow in March before crossing the Atlantic for North American dates in May. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide and a legacy that continues to grow, Judas Priest retains their crown as one of the biggest and best British bands in the world.

JUDAS PRIEST: INVINCIBLE SHIELD TOUR DATES:

Wed May 01 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre

Thu May 02 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory

Sat May 4 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center*

Sun May 05 – Maryland Heights, MO – St Louis Music Park

Tue May 07 – Huntsville, AL – VBC Propst Arena*

Thu May 09 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville^

Sat May 11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Sun May 12 – Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena*

Tue May 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion