Judas Priest's Metal God Has A Sentimental Side

Rob Halford

Just coming off a two year tour with Judas Priest, vocalist Rob Halford took some time out to talk to RockStar Weekly about his new solo album "Winter Songs" which is the first official Halford band release in more than 7 years. With this album we see a softer side to the Metal God, as he performs some new and classic Christmas and seasonal tracks. He has never done anything like this before, but has always wanted to make a record like this for as long as he could remember.

Rob chose songs "that are near and dear to my heart ever since I was a little kid" he says. The title track is a cover song from Canada's Sarah Bareilles. If you're one of the people who'd think that recording Winter or Christmas Songs would be a cop out, you'd wrong. Rob doesn't stray from his legendary sound at all.

Unfortunately there will not be a Christmas tour with this album:

"You know I would love to, however time doesn't permit it unfortunately, I just finished with the massive Judas Priest world tour," Rob says. "I just need to put my feet up, I'm exhausted. I am looking forward to being with my family and friends for the holidays, like we all do. But I think if I did do anyway I would want to keep everything in the same box, and I don't think this is enough to put on a complete show. However, having said that, If I get a chance to do a second album of winter songs next year then there is more than enough for that, so yes we might have a Very Metal Christmas with the Metal God towards the end of 2010."

There is no better way to start Christmas off than with the Metal God himself and some rockin' Christmas songs.

Check out what other projects that keeps him busy throughout the year, including the Metal God Record label, Metal God Entertainment and his newly launched Metal God Clothing line. So stay tuned and see what else we chatted about.

Thanks you for taking the time to talk to us today.

Congratulations on the Winter Songs CD. What I love about it is that you’ve created a Christmas album without compromising your sound at all.

Can you tell me about the collection of songs?

There are some traditional songs on the CD. What was your selection process like to decide on those songs?

Do your family and friends enjoy the Winter Songs album? It seems like one of those albums.

Will there be any live shows for Winter Songs?

From a spiritual end, do you think it’s a bit strange for someone nicknamed “The Metal God” to record songs with religious backgrounds? It’s not like you recorded Santa Claus is Coming To Town…

Did you ever think when you started out, that you would be where you are today?

By the way, when did the “Metal God” name start to stick with you? Do you like it?

The band is referred to as Halford 3 in some places on this one. What does the 3 represent?

What’s it like doing the Judas Priest thing again. You could have easily stayed with Fight or Halford and had a great career.

How about you. When did you finally realize that all the things you accomplished became so important to other people?

British Steel came out a long time ago. Did you ever think it would have such an influence on metal?

That’s going to be fabulous. I can’t wait for the box set to come out.

Is there another type of rock or metal you’d like to try and create?

How did that come about that you were one of the voices in the video game Brutal Legend?

Would you do something like that again?

I had read that you had a Harley on stage during the Painkiller tour and one day you fell off breaking your nose.

Has that event stopped your desire to go above and beyond for a great show?

With so many musical projects, a record label and earlier this year - you launched your clothing line.

How did you come up with the designs of the T-Shirts – They look fabulous?

You have so many projects, the music, the record label the clothing line, the movies. How do you do it all and what’s next?

We love supporting our Canadian bands and we just had an on-line chat with Slaves On Dope today. They wanted to know a bit about the 2wo project and what made you create something like that?

What’s you favourite song out of all the bands you have been in?

A question I always wanted to ask you. It’s a well known fact that the movie Rock Star was based on Judas Priest. What did you think of the movie?