Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford. (Handout)

Judas Priest's story doesn't end with Epitaph.

Although the legendary metal gods are on their much-ballyhooed farewell tour - and minus recently retired guitarist K.K. Downing - they have no intention of hanging up their leathers, vows chrome-domed frontman Rob Halford. In fact, he says they've already got their next album written.

"We have at least 10 or 12 tracks that are strong enough to be released," the 60-year-old Halford says from the band's tour bus somewhere between Bakersfield and San Francisco. "There is a record already there; we just have to find the time to get in the studio ...

We're going to do our damnedest to get it out by the end of next year.

"We've got some great song titles. We've got a track called The Metalizer, which is full of the fantasy and excitement we've had with characters like The Sentinel and Painkiller. We've got a song that is poignant and dedicated to the fans, titled We Will Never Forget. That has a very strong sentiment; it's a beautiful, classic metal ballad.

To Hell and Back (is another one); that's where we've been, so we talk about that. It's shaping up to be an amazing record. It's going to be a good way for us to send a beacon of hope, rather than ride off into the sunset on a Harley."

First, though, they've got some old business to attend to. Along with their Epitaph trek, the band - rounded out by guitarist Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis, now joined by new 31-year- old guitarist Richie Faulkner - just released a pair of nostalgic

anthologies: Single Cuts, a compilation of hits (also available in a limited-edition box) and The Chosen Few, with tracks picked by metal peers like Ozzy, Slash and Alice Cooper.

Speeding toward the first of a handful of Canadian shows next week, Halford called up to chat about living after midnight, rocking to the future - and getting the seniors' discount at Denny's.

I'm confused. When you announced this tour, you said you were calling it a day. Then you said you weren't. What happened? It seems like you changed your minds.

No. We were being very sincere in telling everybody it was a farewell tour. This definitely is the last world tour we're ever going to do.

They take about two years to complete. And while they've always been a tremendous pleasure and challenge, it's a different experience than it was 20 years ago, just from the physical side of things. Time moves on. So we're just being realistic and letting everybody know that these big world treks have come to an end. We'll do significant events in the future. That will keep the band alive. And we'll be alive in the writing department.

So you never intended to retire?

Quite honestly, I don't think that was part of the discussion we had about this farewell. It's very important we get that message across to our fans - we didn't want to create confusion or pull any stunt. We don't do that. We're as honest as the day is long. But the good news is that Priest will still be making records and doing some shows and looking forward to a bright metal future.

But you must know that for a lot of fans, it's not the same without K.K.

I agree with you 100%. It's probably the same as when I was away from the band. The whole experience changes somewhat. But as we've always pointed out, the music is bigger than one person. You look at all the classic bands that have been around for a long time. Very few of them are still the same as they were. But the music is so strong and the songs are so powerful that you forge ahead. Obviously, with K.K. leaving literally at the same time we announced this farewell tour, there was a tremendous amount of emotion and discourse. But I feel the fact that we're on the road now and have already been to 25 countries- and letting people see we're still the great metal band that we always wanted to be - is a good sign.

You've got two anthologies out now. How do you feel about having to look back as you're trying to move forward?

I think it's valuable. It comes to all creative people, whether you're a musician or a director or a writer. You take stock. And these releases provide a very interesting perspective. Single Cuts has tracks that were released in the U.K., so that's a nice little additive to your Priest collection. And The Chosen Few is something I believe has never been done before, where you go to your friends in rock 'n' roll and say, 'Hey Ozzy, which is your favourite Priest track?' And he chooses The Ripper. It's good fun, you know. And it gives you an insight into the music our rock 'n' roll gods listen to on their own tour bus or when they're backstage getting ready for a show. It's kind of cool.

How do you feel about your legacy and career as a whole?

It's pretty mind blowing, especially on this Epitaph tour where we try to blow through 40 years of Judas Priest in two and a half hours. For hardcore metaheads that have been with us for a long time, it's a treat. But really, all we've ever done is try to be the best metal band we can be, and write the best metal songs we can, and record them and get them to our fans. We keep it simple.

What kind of hazing have you been putting Richie through?

Ha! I think he had his first hazing when we put him on American Idol in front of 35 million people. That was his first job. But he's tremendously talented. He's been a kick in the pants for me. He's 30 years younger than me. He fires me up night after night. And I think he sends that feeling through all of us in the band.

I didn't know whether to offer you congratulations or condolences on turning 60.

You know, I just got my first seniors' discount. I went to a very historic landmark in the Midlands called Iron Bridge. It's literally the first bridge made of iron in the world. There are a number of museums there, and I made sure to get my £3 discount at every one!

Plus, I get a discount at Denny's now, so when I order my Grand Slam, it's about $1.50 cheaper.

Judas Priest Epitaph Tour Canadian dates

Oct. 30 Vancouver Rogers Arena

Nov. 1 Edmonton Shaw Conference Center

Nov. 2 Calgary Saddledome

Nov. 22 Toronto  Air Canada Centre

Nov. 23 Quebec City Colisee Pepsi Arena

Nov. 24 Montreal Bell Centre

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