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Hellfest / Judas Priest set standard for every Heavy Metal band, new and old

The Metal gods Judas Priest themselves make their triumphant return to Hellfest for an explosive, hit-packed set.

Judas Priest – Hellfest 2022 – 19 June 2022.

Sunday 19 June 2022.

Words: Kahmel Farahani

Photography: Aggie Anthimidou

Judas Priest burst onto the stage, ripping through the classic One Shot At Glory.

If the last year has proven anything, it is that The Priest are icons that will not be beaten down or stopped by anything. With less than a year since his life-saving heart operation, guitar maestro Richie Faulkner is back and playing without even the slightest slowdown.

Hella Rock Festival

Judas Priest, Hellfest 2022
Judas Priest, Hellfest 2022. Photo: Aggie Anthimidou

As the band kick into the sing-along of You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, it’s a solid reminder of how lucky all Metal fans are to still have Judas Priest flying the flag.

A ferocious Freewheel Burning is followed by Turbo Lover with the sea of headbangers loving every second. The one-two punch of Green Manalishi and Diamonds and Rust may just be the highlight of their set, and frontman Rob Halford’s vocals are truly ageless.

As the lights go dim and the sound of motorcycles revving engines fills the air, the crowd erupts to Halford’s classic entrance on his motorbike before the band kick into Hell Bent For Leather.

“We’ve got time for one more song,” announces drummer Scott Travis, “now which one will it be?”. The drums kick into Living After Midnight, and the crowd goes wild, with crowd surfers flying by.

As the band take a well-deserved bow, the screens light up with their traditional sign-off, “The Priest will be back”.

We can only hope that Judas Priest never leaves, as the Metal gods have shown yet again they are the ones to beat. The standard for every Heavy Metal band, new and old.

Judas Priest – Hellfest – Setlist

One Shot at Glory

Lightning Strike

You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’

Freewheel Burning

Turbo Lover

Hell Patrol

The Sentinel

The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)

Diamonds & Rust

Painkiller

Encore:

The Hellion

Electric Eye

Hell Bent for Leather

Breaking the Law

Living After Midnight


Hellfest 2022 will be held over two weekends in June, featuring 350 artists on six stages. For more information visit www.hellfest.fr/en/

You can read all the MetalTalk Hellfest coverage at metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2022

This year there is also a virtual edition, Hellfest From Home. For more details visit fromhome.hellfest.fr

Hellfest 2022 - Festival poster

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