Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner has revealed his personal fantasy for a future band tour. He expressed a desire to focus on two classic albums from the band’s legendary catalog. In a recent interview, Faulkner discussed the possibility of organizing a tour centered around “Screaming For Vengeance” and “Defenders Of The Faith,” two of the band’s most iconic records from the 1980s.
“Personally, I’d like to do a ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ and ‘Defenders Of The Faith’ tour, [focusing on] those two records,” Faulkner explained. “So maybe it could be called ‘Screaming For The Faith’ or ‘Defenders Of Vengeance’ or something like that.”
However, the guitarist was quick to clarify that this concept remains purely speculative at this stage. “But that’s totally fantasy. That’s nothing that we’ve spoken about or anything like that, but that’s just something I’d like to do,” he emphasized. No official plans are currently in development for such a tour.
Faulkner also provided insight into the band’s current touring strategy and what fans can expect from upcoming performances. He noted that the band’s most recent tour was highly album-specific. It focused on “Invincible Shield” and “Painkiller.” In contrast, the upcoming European summer dates will take a different approach. They will celebrate the band’s entire career rather than concentrating on particular releases.
“The last [tour] was pretty album specific — it was [focusing on the] ‘Invincible Shield’ and ‘Painkiller’ [albums] — so I think this summer in Europe, it’s just gonna be a bit more free, over the band’s career, and nothing too specific — just a celebration, I think, of everything Judas Priest. So it will be fun to see what we come up with,” Faulkner stated.
Faulkner’s comments come as Judas Priest continues their active touring schedule throughout 2026. The band is currently in the midst of their Faithkeepers tour, according to Blabbermouth. The tour features the classic lineup of Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Faulkner, Andy Sneap, and Scott Travis. The tour has been scheduled through late 2026 with numerous confirmed dates across Europe, demonstrating the band’s commitment to performing for their dedicated fanbase.
The European leg of the Faithkeepers tour includes performances at major venues and festivals throughout the summer and fall months. Confirmed stops include appearances at prestigious festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air in the UK and performances in major cities across Germany, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Croatia, as noted in reports on the tour schedule. This extensive touring schedule underscores the band’s ongoing dedication to connecting with audiences across the continent.
The guitarist has been actively participating in interviews throughout April 2026. He discussed not only Judas Priest’s future but also his side project Elegant Weapons. A recent interview from April 7 revealed that Faulkner touched on the Faithkeepers tour and potential setlist selections. He also revealed that a new Judas Priest album is in development with a forthcoming release date. His appearances across multiple media outlets have provided fans with valuable insights into the band’s creative direction and touring philosophy.
Beyond the current tour cycle, interviews from mid-April 2026 showed that Faulkner remains committed to sustaining Judas Priest with new albums and tours over the coming years. The guitarist’s enthusiasm for both his work with Judas Priest and his parallel projects demonstrates his dedication to maintaining the band’s relevance and creative output in the metal community.
