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Long after midnight fell on heavy metal's heyday, Judas Priest are still living up to the nickname "Metal Gods."

It's been nearly four decades since Priest formed in Birmingham, England, and began to vault hard rock into the mainstream. Classics such as "Breaking the Law" and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" --- and even more recent gems like 1990's "Painkiller" --- established their signature sound: the soprano shrieks of leather-clad frontman Rob Halford, backed by the twin shredding guitars of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Dowling. Everyone from Beavis & Butthead to Guitar Hero fans have known the thrill.

On their just-released concept album, Nostradamus, Priest step into a realm of symphonic metal usually ruled by bands like Avantasia and Kamelot. Incorporating keyboard strings and choirs, the album is an ambitious, sprawling production that may surprise some loyal fans (we're looking at you, Heavy Metal Parking Lot tailgaters!). Not to worry, though: there's still plenty of churning power-riffs and artillery-like drum hits to go around.

This summer finds Priest on the Metal Masters tour, alongside fellow rockers Motorhead and Testament.

- Joshua Perry