Judas Priest Unleash “All Guns Blazing” at Rockfest 2025 with Relentless Fury
The air buzzed with anticipation on June 12, 2025, as Judas Priest exploded onto the stage at Rockfest in Turku, Finland. Frontman Rob Halford and the band launched their Shield of Pain European tour with a ferocious rendition of “All Guns Blazing,” opening their Painkiller anniversary set with sheer power. It marked the first time the track returned as a show opener since 2019—an electrifying declaration that Priest were back and more vicious than ever.
Judas Priest, hailing from Birmingham, England, have been shaping the sound of heavy metal since 1969. Known for their twin-guitar assaults, soaring operatic vocals, and leather-clad visuals, they’ve become synonymous with metal itself. Honoring Painkiller on its 35th anniversary was more than nostalgia—it was a statement of ongoing dominance and musical evolution.
The Shield of Pain tour celebrates one of metal’s most blistering albums. Painkiller, recorded in 1990, featured the debut of drummer Scott Travis, whose thunderous double-bass intro on the title track became legendary. The album pushed Priest into faster, heavier territory, and “All Guns Blazing” stood out as a fierce anthem of chaos and unrelenting intensity.
On that summer night in Turku, the stage became a battlefield. Laser lights sliced through the Finnish dusk, and pyrotechnics flared with every pounding chorus. Rob Halford emerged in black leather and mirrored shades, howling the song’s iconic lines with brutal clarity, while the guitars of Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton ripped through the air like sonic shrapnel.
The crowd’s reaction was instant and overwhelming. Tens of thousands roared in unison as “All Guns Blazing” slammed into their ears. It wasn’t just a concert moment—it was a war cry, a reminder that Priest’s music is forged in steel and fury. For longtime fans, it was a long-awaited return to one of their most aggressive live staples.
The night was filled with more than just old-school bangers. Alongside Painkiller classics like “Hell Patrol” and “Night Crawler,” the band introduced new material from their 2024 album Invincible Shield. Tracks like “Giants in the Sky” and “The Serpent and the King” blended seamlessly into the set, proving the band still writes with the same fire that ignited their legacy.
This balancing act between past and present is exactly why Judas Priest still command respect. While many heritage acts rely on familiar hits, Priest continually expand their universe, reminding audiences that their creative engine hasn’t stalled. The blend of fresh cuts and fan favorites kept the setlist dynamic and unpredictable.
For the band, the tour is as much about celebration as it is about perseverance. Marking 35 years of Painkiller, one of their most acclaimed records, gave them a chance to revisit some of their heaviest material and present it in a fresh, modern context. It also allowed them to reflect on how far they’ve come without ever losing their edge.
Notably, the band also dusted off deep cuts rarely heard live. “Solar Angels,” last played in 2005, returned with haunting power, and the band’s decision to include rarely performed tracks alongside new compositions thrilled the most dedicated fans. It was a metal historian’s dream.
Fan reactions exploded online in the hours following the show. Clips of “All Guns Blazing” flooded social media, and message boards lit up with praise. Metal communities worldwide dissected the setlist, with many calling the Turku performance one of the band’s most energetic shows in years. For a tour opener, it couldn’t have landed with more force.
Behind it all was Halford’s unmatched presence. Now in his seventies, he remains one of metal’s most formidable vocalists. His performance in Turku was fierce, focused, and gloriously theatrical. Every scream, every snarl, every strut proved that the Metal God still rules the realm he helped create.
Drummer Scott Travis was also in top form. His legendary double-kick patterns, especially in the opening of “All Guns Blazing,” set the tone for the entire show. That signature thunder, once groundbreaking in 1990, still holds its power in 2025—and reminded everyone why Priest’s rhythm section is second to none.
As the Shield of Pain tour blazes across Europe—with dates in Oslo, Berlin, and London still ahead—Priest are proving night after night that heavy metal’s golden age isn’t over. It’s just been reforged in fire. Turku was the spark, and now the whole continent is feeling the burn.
In an era flooded with nostalgia tours and safe setlists, Judas Priest refuse to go quietly. Their performance at Rockfest wasn’t just a reminder of their history—it was a mission statement for the future. They didn’t come to celebrate. They came to conquer.
When the last notes of “All Guns Blazing” rang out over Finland, the message was clear: Judas Priest aren’t riding on legacy—they’re still building it. The Metal Gods have returned, not as shadows of their past, but as blazing warriors of the present.
