Judas Priest are retiring(?)

Even the gay guy is more manly and awesome than you

Well, this certainly comes as a surprise. After approximately forty years, one of the most iconic metal bands of all time are apparently calling it quits. According to the perpetually awesome dudes at Metalsucks, the band announced that their next tour is scheduled to be their last before officially retiring as a band. Now, I'll confess, since I'm a youngster I really don't listen to Judas Priest, like ever, but whether you listen to them or not there's no denying that they are one of the most legendary, long lasting heavy metal bands of all time, and the thought of them not being around anymore is something that's really hard to wrap your head around. Let's face it, Dio's dead (RIP), Black Sabbath haven't released anything since I was about five, and Ozzy is still around but hasn't released any material that even comes close to what he did back in his heyday. Priest, on the other hand, kept the train rolling, releasing new albums that were just as well-received as their old ones and continually touring, making damn sure nobody forgot about them. Even if you don't listen to them, the fact is they've always been around, so from that perspective it may even be more surprising to the younger generation than to the older fans. Either way, here's some cool live footage of their timeless classic "Breaking the Law" circa 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu5gv9A2zc0

Many people are questioning whether or not Judas Priest are actually serious about breaking up; after all, what better way to get people to come to your show than to tell them there won't be any more? This isn't an unreasonable argument, but whatever the case may be, once the dates for this supposed final tour are announced they will be put up here post-haste. And hey, if this whole thing does turn out to be a publicity stunt, what's the worst that could happen? Judas Priest will play more shows and record more CD's, oh darn.