Judas Priest has officially unleashed their “Shield of Pain” European tour in Turku, Finland, marking the 35th anniversary of the legendary Painkiller album—and they started with a rares-loaded, fan-pleasing setlist. Here’s a deep dive into what transpired on night one—as well as a look at the performance videos already making waves online.
🎸 A Heavy-Hitting Setlist: 19 Songs, 7 from Painkiller
The band delivered a 19‑song onslaught that demonstrated both reverence for their classic era and appetite for fresh surprises (metal-stop.com, blabbermouth.net). Notable highlights:
- Seven tracks from Painkiller:
- All Guns Blazing – marking its first live performance since 2019 and serving as the opener!
- Hell Patrol – a hardcore fan favorite.
- A Touch of Evil
- Night Crawler – back for its first live appearance since 2012.
- One Shot at Glory – included the instrumental intro Battle Hymn via backing tape.
- Between the Hammer and the Anvil
- Painkiller – the signature anthem. (loudersound.com)
- Deep cuts from the vault:
– Solar Angels, last played in 2005 (metal-stop.com)
– The Serpent and the King and Giants in the Sky from the new Invincible Shield album—both debuting live (metal-stop.com) - Beloved classics:
– You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, Freewheel Burning, Breaking the Law, Metal Gods, Judas Rising, Hell Bent for Leather, and Living After Midnight (metal-stop.com)
Full Rockfest Setlist (June 12, Turku):
- All Guns Blazing
- Hell Patrol
- You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
- Freewheel Burning
- Breaking the Law
- A Touch of Evil
- Night Crawler
- Firepower
- Solar Angels
- Gates of Hell
- Metal Gods
- The Serpent and the King
- One Shot at Glory
- Between the Hammer and the Anvil
- Judas Rising
- Giants in the Sky
- Painkiller
- Hell Bent for Leather
- Living After Midnight (metal-stop.com)
🔥 Live Videos: Feeling the Rush
Fan-shot video clips have surfaced online showcasing several of the live rarities. Highlights include:
- All Guns Blazing – raw, powerful opener
- Hell Patrol – classic guitar attack
- Night Crawler – triumphant return to the rotation
- One Shot at Glory – dramatic live delivery
- A Touch of Evil, The Serpent and the King – glimpses of the rare cuts and live debut
- Painkiller – the explosive centerpiece to close the Painkiller segment (loudwire.com, loudersound.com)
These videos capture the visceral energy and raw emotion of a band that hasn’t lost a shred of fire in over five decades.
🔁 A Tour of Eras: Vintage & New
This first show offered more than nostalgia—it balanced old and new with equal vigor:
- Legacy: In addition to the seven Painkiller tracks, classics like Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight affirmed their status as metal mainstays.
- Fresh meat: Gates of Hell (from Invincible Shield) plus the debuts of “The Serpent and the King” and “Giants in the Sky” showed the band’s commitment to evolving. (loudersound.com, igormiranda.com.br)
Rob Halford previously teased that they didn’t plan to play the full Painkiller album, but rather selected key songs to intersperse throughout the set—keeping it dynamic (metalsucks.net).
🌍 Tour Context: Europe to North America and Beyond
- Shield of Pain is scheduled through late July across Europe, including major festivals and solo headline dates (e.g., Bilbao Arena on June 23) (cadenaser.com).
- A co-headlining run with Alice Cooper will roll out in North America from mid‑September to October (loudersound.com).
- Rob Halford has promised “a few surprises” for the States—likely including rare tracks and tweaks to the production (loudersound.com).
🎯 Why This Debut Matters
- Rarity & Reward: Bringing back songs like Solar Angels and Night Crawler after such long absences becomes major milestones for die-hard fans.
- Balanced nostalgia: While anchored in classic material, the inclusion of Invincible Shield tracks signals they’re not merely echoing the past.
- Fan engagement: Opening with a painkiller deep cut, rather than a staple hit, shows confidence and a fan-first mentality.
- Production flourish: Though the setlist is the star, fans have noted fresh stage lighting and sequencing tailored to the Painkiller celebration (loudersound.com, loudwire.com).
🧭 Looking Ahead
- Setlists likely to evolve: As the tour continues, expect shifting combinations—possibly introducing other rarities or alternating first-night surprises for different markets.
- Tour expansion: Following Europe, North American fans will see a similarly ambitious set—maybe with different vintage deep cuts tailored for each region.
- Record exposure: The tour will boost Painkiller’s streaming and physical sales, reviving interest in a record revered as a metal landmark (metalsucks.net).
✔️ Final Thoughts
Judas Priest’s *35th-anniversary Painkiller tour kickoff demonstrated a band in command of its heritage—while still excited to chart new territory.
- Setlist strategy: A tension-filled blend of deep cuts, half-length album nods, and epoch-spanning radio staples.
- Fan surprise factor: Reintroducing long‑lost tracks is the kind of move that sparks viral reactions and loyal social media love.
- Balanced identity: Embracing Invincible Shield alongside Painkiller sends a clear message: this tour is about both celebration and evolution.
In short, the first night in Turku wasn’t just a tour kickoff—it was a declaration that Judas Priest still embody the metal spirit—undaunted, dynamic, and always surprising.
Have you caught any clips or attended a Shield of Pain show yet? I’d love to know what deep cut moved you hardest.
