Judas Priest - Scarborough Open Air Theatre 23.07.2025

The music world, the metal contingency especially, were still trying to get their heads round the previous days awful news about the loss of one of the biggest stars and characters of the last 50+ years. Only a couple of weeks previously at the Back To The Beginning show a video tribute from Rob Halford had been shown as he was out on tour in Europe and now here the day after Ozzys’ passing we are in Scarborough to see Judas Priest perform on the final leg of the current run of gigs.

The walk up to the Open Air Theatre is just rammed with metallers many of whom are sporting Black Sabbath/ Ozzy t shirts in memory and tribute to their idol.

I wasn’t sure what to expect atmosphere wise as it could have been a very sombre affair in the circumstances

However Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons got things underway with a well received raucous set of their own songs and a couple of Motorhead classics which lifted the spirits somewhat.

I doubt very much when Priest decided to use 'War Pigs' as the intro tape for their shows they’d envisioned the impact it would have on this particular evening. Every fist raised in the crowd every voice in unison this was the way todays gig just had to begin.

Judas Priest take the stage and blast fittingly into 'All Guns Blazing' (the first of 7 songs from 'Painkille'r in tonight’s set) and 'Hell Patrol'. The band are on fire with the twin guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap sounding as fresh and tight as any line up of the band I have ever seen. Scott Travis is a machine at the drumkit keeping everything together no matter how frantic those double kicks have to be. He and Ian Hill (bass) are a formidable rhythm section providing a rock solid backbone for all and any riffs and fret acrobatics that Richie and Andy care to tear our faces off with, speaking of which here’s 'Freewheel Burning' early on in the night just to pummel you a bit more!

But let’s face it the majority of us here because of the man himself Mr Rob Halford and oh my word is he on form tonight! That voice is absolutely on point every note reached with ease! He prowls the stage back and forth between the guitarists proudly throwing the devil horns as each solo rips through the seaside towns night air.

'You’ve Got Another Thing Coming' and 'Breaking The Law' are a couple of big hitters brought out early in the set before diving back into the 'Painkiller' album for a fantastic double whammy of 'Touch of Evil' and 'Night Crawler', the former having that brilliant groove to it and Robs’ sinister vocal.

In my opinion it’s a brave set omitting a lot of stalwarts ('Ripper', 'Victim of Changes', 'Sinner' etc) but it also speaks volumes for the strength of the songs the band have decided to play and the faith they have in them.

The band leave Rob on the stage alone for what we have been expecting all set “it’s been a tough 24 hours“ he begins emotionally “but this, us here, playing on with you guys is exactly what he would have wanted“ the crowd begin an Ozzy chant as Rob introduces the song dedicated go all lost heroes 'Giants in the Sky' the giant screens normally projecting many of those lost tonight mainly displaying huge portraits of Ozzy through the 'Invincible Shield' track.

Again only my opinion but I thought this was a fantastic way to honour him yes a cover thrown in would have been great too but this particular song with those images on the screen hit home big style.

The production level on this tour is second to none incredible lighting and backdrops along with projected images and films enhancing each song of the set.

The main set is brought to an end with a brutal 'Painkiller', Rob screaming down the mic “ PAIN PAIN KILLER KILLER“ in that incredible falsetto that only seems to be getting stronger as he gets older it’s insane!

The Scarborough crowd weren’t done though and the wonderful sound of 'The Hellion' blasting through the PA welcomed the band back to kick into a blistering 'Electric Eye' making this old man very very happy as it’s one of my favourite Priest tracks.

We can’t have a Priest show without the roar of the motorcycle engine and leather clad Halford returning to the stage on the bike for a big 'Hell Bent For Leather' / 'Living After Midnight' end to the procedings.

Priest did themselves proud, still kings of heavy metal after all these years, influencers of so many and still doing it.

It was the perfect antidote to what began as an awful day in the world of music.

Thank you Judas Priest.

Judas Priest

Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons

Photos & Review - G's Gig Shots