Getty Images K.K. Downing, Ian Hill, Rob Halford, Scott Travis and Glenn Tipton make up Judas Priest — and more than three decades of heavy-metal glory.

For 35 years, Judas Priest has helped shape and define heavy metal. But in 2008, the band did something it’s never done: a double album of the concept variety. Released June 17, Nostradamus is an epic look at the 16th-century French prophet credited by some with foretelling events such as the rise of Adolf Hitler, 9-11 and, eventually, humanity’s end — as well as the trials and tribulations he endured in spite of his proclamations. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Priest is back with legendary singer Rob “Metal God” Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis, invading the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater for the first time since 2005. The 57-year-old Hill recently phoned 210SA as the band’s European tour wound down in Romania.

It’s been 3/61/2 decades since the band’s first album, Rocka Rolla, spawned years of classic and influential heavy metal music. When did Judas Priest first think about doing a concept double album such as Nostradamus, and why now?

It’s something that’s been discussed over the years, but for one reason or another, we never got down to doing it. For one thing, it’s very time-consuming. This time around, our record company’s been great. They’ve been behind us, and they realize the artistic value of it.

How much different and more involved was it to record Nostradamus as opposed to, say, (1980’s) British Steel, (1990’s) Painkiller or even (2005’s) Angel of Retribution?

Well, there’s a lot of work going into it. A lot of orchestration. We used synthesizers. Most of the strings were put down before the rhythm guitars and bass, even the drum tracks, rather than spending a long time putting a guitar track together. And, of course, all the songs have to follow one another (in story). They have to be coherent in order for it to make sense.

In every Judas Priest interview I’ve ever read or seen over the last two decades, I’m amazed at how humble you guys are.

Whether it’s you, Rob, K.K. or Glenn, you never have anything bad to say about anyone and never give a sarcastic answer.

Do you think your humility has helped you stand the test of time as a band?

Um, maybe so. You put yourself on a pedestal, people are going to throw rocks at you (laughs). We’re just ordinary people. Praise is very flattering, but it’s something we do feel humble about. It’s great when people appreciate what you do.

As a founding member of the band, you were dating Rob’s sister back in the early ’70s, and that’s how you met him, which led to him joining the band, correct?

Pretty much so. The original vocalist, Alan Atkins, couldn’t cut it with money trying to support his family, and he left. We didn’t know Rob, but we knew of him reputation-wise and had a meeting with him. I went to Sue’s house, and there he was walking down the stairs and humming harmonies to an Ella Fitzgerald song. It was actually impressive.

Rob, Glenn and K.K. always write the music and lyrics. When are you ever going to write a song?

(Laughs) Oh, I’m not very good at it. It’s like the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They’re very good at it. Why mess with it?

In this day and age of buying music over the computer, why did you guys decide to release three versions of Nostradamus (regular double CD, double CD with 48-page booklet and 3-LP/2-CD with booklet)?

It’s funny, people kept asking us, “Why don’t you release a vinyl version of a CD?” There are still people out there who listen to vinyl. They’ve flown (off the presses) like you wouldn’t believe.

I know there are classic songs the band believes the fans expect to hear every time out, but what are some rare Priest songs you wished the band would play more often?

Um ..... Your favorites tend to become the ones you play more often. We’ve shaken the set up more this time around, refreshed it quite a bit. There are some songs we haven’t played in a long time.

So what is your all-time favorite Priest song?

Oh, it’s a difficult one. I love most of it, really. Maybe “Love Bites.” Of course, “Painkiller” (is) a favorite. There’s at least a dozen of them.

Judas Priest was part of the first VH1 Rock Honors class in 2006, along with Kiss, Queen and Def Leppard .....

Yeah, that was a blast.

What else is left for you to accomplish as a band?

Oh, a Grammy would be nice (laughs). We’ve been nominated a couple of times but never won. That would be the icing on the cake.

You’re noted for standing in the same exact spot throughout an entire concert. How do you do that for two hours every night playing the type of music Priest plays?

Well, I do move, it’s just in the same spot. It goes back to ages ago. I’d tap my foot in rhythm. I also used to play bass pedals, so that kept me in the same spot. It just stuck.

Having toured the world for 3/61/2 decades, what are some similarities and differences between American, British, Japanese and Romanian audiences, for example?

It’s gonna sound silly, but there’s not a great deal of difference. At one time, there was a difference between the Japanese and the rest of the world. They would be seated and clap and be very polite. Now, they’re just as loud as everyone else. But Americans are probably the loudest.

What are some places Judas Priest has never played?

We’ve never played Jamaica (chuckles). A heavy metal band in Jamaica? We’d have to get dreadlocks. Recently, with the breakup of the old Soviet bloc, this is the first time we’ve been through Romania. It’s a great experience, learning that there are people listening to our music maybe underground all these years.

When Rob left the band in the early ’90s after the Painkiller tour, even though you guys were doing well with Tim “Ripper” Owens as his replacement, did you ever feel the band was coming to an end and that Rob would never return?

It was drawn out to a certain extent. Rob was an in-law at one time, and although I’d since divorced, his parents had their silver and golden anniversary. There was a huge party, and we were invited. Rob wrote a really nice letter to us all, that he had buried the hatchet. A lot of things were said hastily (that led to Halford’s departure). We did intend to carry on with Ripper. But I didn’t do a single interview during the Ripper years where someone didn’t ask me when Rob was coming back to the band. It was something everyone wanted. It was a very amicable split. Even Ripper knew it was going to happen.

So, what is Nostradamus’ prediction as to how much longer Priest will be making music and touring?

(Chuckles) Well, apparently, the world is coming to an end in 2012, so we’ll stop then.

Jay Nanda | 210SA contributor