When Judas Priest hit the stage at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, it felt less like a concert and more like a masterclass in heavy metal. After more than five decades of raising hell across the globe, the British legends still know how to command a room. This wasn’t just another tour stop—it was a full-blown celebration of everything the band has built since the early days of Rocka Rolla, a reminder that Priest remain one of the genre’s most powerful forces.
A Thunderous Opening
The lights dropped and the roar of the crowd swelled into a deafening chant. The opening riffs of “All Guns Blazing” hit like a freight train, an immediate declaration that the band had no intention of easing anyone into the night. Rob Halford, clad in his signature leather and studs, stormed the stage with that unmistakable scream that has defied age. His voice cut through the arena like a steel blade, and the twin-guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap created a wall of sound that shook the seats.
Without a pause, they launched straight into “Hell Patrol,” a deep cut from Painkiller that longtime fans absolutely devoured. It’s a song built for live performance—relentless double-kick drums, ripping guitar harmonies, and Halford’s banshee wail hitting every note with laser precision. From the opening moments, it was clear that this was going to be a set focused on speed, power, and the kind of precision that only Judas Priest can deliver.
A Setlist for the Faithful
The third song of the night, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” got the entire arena singing along. It’s Priest’s most enduring anthem, a track that bridges generations of fans. What’s remarkable is how fresh it still sounds in 2025. Faulkner ripped through the solo with a perfect mix of flash and feel, and Halford prowled the stage, letting the crowd handle the choruses as he egged them on with a mischievous grin.
From there, the setlist was a metalhead’s dream. “Freewheel Burning” brought blistering speed, Scott Travis pounding out one of the fastest drum patterns in classic metal. “Breaking the Law” was delivered with all the swagger of a band that knows they’ve written one of the greatest rock anthems of all time. The entire coliseum turned into a giant choir, fists pumping in unison as Halford let the audience take the final chorus.
The mid-set run of “A Touch of Evil,” “Night Crawler,” and “Solar Angels” showcased just how deep Priest’s catalog runs. “A Touch of Evil” was haunting and theatrical, with eerie keyboard effects swirling around Glenn Tipton’s menacing guitar lines (Tipton himself was not on this tour, but Sneap captured the spirit of his playing perfectly). “Night Crawler” turned the arena into a dark, apocalyptic battlefield, while the rarely played “Solar Angels” felt like a gift to the hardcore faithful—one of those deep cuts that proves Priest still loves surprising their audience.
Power and Precision
As the night wore on, the energy never dipped. “Gates of Hell” and “Between the Hammer and the Anvil” kept the momentum surging, each song a reminder of how heavy this band can be without sacrificing melody. Halford’s voice was nothing short of astonishing. At 73, he remains one of metal’s most powerful singers, and his ability to unleash those signature screams is still jaw-dropping.
The new track “Giants in the Sky”—a recent addition from their 2024 album—fit seamlessly among the classics. It’s a song that feels destined to be a future staple, with a chorus built for arena sing-alongs and guitar interplay that harkens back to Priest’s early 80s heyday. Hearing it live confirmed that Judas Priest aren’t just resting on their laurels; they’re still creating music that stands shoulder to shoulder with their greatest hits.
Then came the inevitable highlight: “Painkiller.” If there’s a single song that encapsulates everything Judas Priest stands for, this is it. The opening drum assault from Scott Travis was like a sonic earthquake, the guitars slicing through the mix with surgical precision. Halford let loose with those impossibly high screams, the kind that make the hair on your arms stand up. Fans old and new went absolutely wild, headbanging, shouting, and losing themselves in the sheer ferocity of one of metal’s ultimate closing numbers.
The Encore That Defined an Era
The band briefly left the stage, but everyone in the building knew there was more to come. The chants of “Priest! Priest! Priest!” grew louder until the roar of motorcycles signaled the return of the Metal God himself. Halford rode onto the stage on a chrome Harley for “Hell Bent for Leather,” a tradition that never fails to electrify a crowd. The sight of him revving the engine while the guitars tore through those iconic riffs is one of the great visuals in rock history.
Finally, they capped the night with “Living After Midnight,” a joyous, fist-pumping anthem that had the entire coliseum singing every word. It was the perfect closer—a celebration of metal, rebellion, and pure rock and roll fun.
Why Judas Priest Still Matter
What struck me most throughout the night was the sheer vitality of this band. Many acts of their generation lean on nostalgia, but Judas Priest remain a living, breathing force. Richie Faulkner has fully cemented himself as an essential member, bringing youthful fire and a deep respect for the band’s legacy. Andy Sneap continues to be a rock-solid guitarist, faithfully carrying Glenn Tipton’s torch while adding his own flair. Ian Hill, the silent anchor on bass, remains the steady heartbeat of Priest’s sound. And Scott Travis? The man is a machine, driving every song with ferocious precision.
But of course, the center of it all is Rob Halford. His stage presence is something to behold. Whether stalking the stage like a predator during “Night Crawler,” commanding the audience during “Breaking the Law,” or unleashing those ungodly high notes in “Painkiller,” Halford remains the ultimate heavy metal frontman. He embodies everything that makes this genre so enduring: power, passion, and a commitment to giving fans everything he’s got.
A Night for the Ages
Leaving the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, it was impossible not to feel both exhilarated and grateful. Judas Priest didn’t just play a show—they delivered an experience that reaffirmed why they are considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. From the opening blast of “All Guns Blazing” to the final chorus of “Living After Midnight,” they proved that age is meaningless when you have this much fire still burning inside.
For the fans packed into that arena, this wasn’t just another tour date. It was a gathering of the faithful, a celebration of music that continues to inspire and energize. Judas Priest may have started their journey in the steel mills of Birmingham, England, but on this night in Biloxi, Mississippi, they reminded everyone that their brand of metal is truly universal.
The Metal Gods have spoken—and they still reign supreme.
Setlist – Judas Priest – Mississippi Coast Coliseum – September 2025
-
All Guns Blazing
-
Hell Patrol
-
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
-
Freewheel Burning
-
Breaking the Law
-
A Touch of Evil
-
Night Crawler
-
Solar Angels
-
Gates of Hell
-
Between the Hammer and the Anvil
-
Giants in the Sky
-
Painkiller
Encore:
13. Hell Bent for Leather
14. Living After Midnight