"I'm getting too old for this shit!"

"The last days before the Gods disappear"

As you all know, Judas Priest announced their farewell tour a few months ago. They knew their time had come. Ever since, every Metalhead has been anxiously checking the tour dates, to be there when the Priest come to his or her city, for there is no way we're going to miss our last chance to see the Metal Gods on stage again.

There is not a single Metalhead who cannot recognize Halford's voice, or a glorious Downing-Tipton riff. What's more, the Priest introduced us to leather! If that weren't enough, Judas Priest has been rocking the world for over 40 years and has left future generations with a magnificent legacy. They are not one of those bands that begin with a bang and fade away--think Metallica. They have not become idiotic and have sold themselves with lame fashion--think Ozzy and Justin Beiber. No! Like Dio, Judas Priest has transcended into the realm of all that is (un)holy; they have remained true to what is Metal and have set a golden standard for all to follow.

How can I possibly explain the influence that Judas Priest has had on us Metalheads? When the press release of their Epitaph tour was up, we were given no explanation. Yet, what can we say? After so many years, they, only they, have the right to act as they want.

"You want to be remembered like this, right? Right?!"

Which is not to say, however, that KK Downing can do stupid shit like he did yesterday. Alright, we get it. You have been rocking for over 40 years, you're 60 years old. You have challenged the rules of mortality. You're a God.

But you can't fucking retire two months before your final tour begins. What's more, you can't retire without giving us an appropriate reason. Yes, we know you're old. Ronnie James Dio died when he was 67 and had cancer. Yet he went rocking. He gave us his last breath. You are 60. You're healthy. You should still have, at least, another 7 years to go.

In the olden age, Vikings believed it was glorious to die in battle. The more brutal, savage and gory your death, the better. The highest honor went to those who were in the heat of the battle, and died with violence in their eyes. Their counterparts, everyone else, died in shame.

Will you die a legend, or will you go calmly into the night?

Vlades \m/