JUDAS PRIEST Frontman ROB HALFORD -

JUDAS PRIEST Frontman ROB HALFORD - "In My Mind, Ozzy's Been #1 Forever"


BW&BK recently spoke to JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford about a number of topics, including the upcoming Priest album Nostradamus, his new Metal God Entertainment company and his latest CD, Metal God Essentials Volume 1 (a Best Of compilation featuring tracks from his HALFORD solo days, his band project FIGHT and a few new tracks).

During a recent chat with OZZY OSBOURNE, BW&BK had asked what goals he'd like to achieve in life - he responded - "I'd like to get a #1 album. I've never had one." Black Rain entered the Billboard Top Albums Chart at #3.

When asked about what's missing in his career, The Metal God responded as follows: "Nothing. I think if you can still do what we're doing - we've been at this, flying the flag of metal for over three decades, much like Ozzy and SABBATH have done. We're good mates. We've all been through the same experiences. So just to be here three decades later is proof of the dream becoming real. I know what Ozzy's saying. It's like getting a VH1 Rock Honors ring - it means a lot to me. It's an affirmation, a recognition. It's a really nice gesture. The only way we can be put to #1 is by the people that support you. And when you do get to that position - from an industry aspect - from the perspective of 'you've got an Oscar, you've got a #1, you've got a platinum record.' It's significant, but in my mind, Ozzy's been #1 forever because of who he is and what he does. Because of the success of The Osbournes, I think there was a moment of deflection there for his talent. If you look at Ozzy from what he did in the early days with Sabbath, it was great, it was remarkable. He's got this personality, this very unique voice, very unique style. There's nobody else like him. I think that through the Osbourne TV series, that got overlooked.

"So I was waiting for this moment when he'd come back with a studio album. I'm sure he must feel really good about that. The last great record was No More Tears. The important thing is that he's made another record, he's made new music. He looks great, he sounds great, he's got a great band. It's an important moment for him as a metalhead to do those things. You can't live on your past glories to a certain extent. You live on what you are capable of doing now. You've really gotta keep doing it. And somebody like Ozzy and for somebody like Priest, we really don't need to make any more fucking metal do we? We've made a shitload. Why do we need to do it? Because we want to do it. Because we have to do it. Because we are still driven by the unknown - 'what else is there to do that we haven't done yet? What song haven't we made yet?' As long as that desire exists, I think that's fundamental in keeping you in the metal, keeping the metal alive. Once you shut that down, you start this internal retirement, whether you are aware of it or not. It's not healthy. That slowing down process starts to take over and you get lackadaisical and you don't make as much effort. If you keep pushing yourself, it's remarkable what you are capable of doing. And you are also driven by your fans. The fans have as much of a desire as you do to keep making a new metal experience."

When asked the question, 'If you are the Metal God, what is Ozzy?', Halford responded, "He's the Prince Of Fucking Darkness."