Judas Priest to release a new remixed & remastered 50th anniversary version of 'Rocka Rolla'

Judas Priest's debut album Rocka Rolla is getting a remixed and remastered release to mark its 50th anniversary. The updated digital version will hit the U.S. and Canada on Friday, September 13, while CD and vinyl versions, titled Rocka Rolla - 50th Anniversary: Remixed And Remastered 1974 - 2024, will drop on November 22.

Pre-save/pre-order Rocka Rolla - 50th Anniversary: Remixed And Remastered 1974 - 2024 here. 

Back in 1974, before the band became heavy metal icons, Judas Priest recorded Rocka Rolla under tight budget constraints, with limited studio time, and producer Roger Bain at the helm. Despite their enthusiasm, the band didn't have any control over the final mix or mastering process. Over time, they distanced themselves from the album's sound, but with this new remixed version, Judas Priest has finally had the chance to present the album as they originally envisioned it.

Frontman Rob Halford reflected:

I took the record…  and I put the needle onto the groove and I sat back. And I just slowly started to deflate, deflate. I was so disappointed with the way it was sounding… All of us were - we'd all worked so hard to get to this place. And now this music that we know when we play live is roaring - the heavy metal is roaring even in those early primitive days - none of that was coming out of the speakers.

Tom Allom, who handled remix and remastering duties shared:

What we did with the multitracks is quite unusual, to completely remix an album from that era, from scratch. So to clarify what we're doing, we're not adding anything musically. We're not re-recording any of the musical parts…  We're remixing them, rebalancing them using the technology we have, the modern tools we have now, to sonically upgrade them, and make them sound more powerful.

Halford added:

I'm just thrilled… because it just goes to show you when you get an expert involved in a project, it's likely that you have a second chance. And I think that Tom Allom is giving us a second chance here with the way that a lot of the elements were lost in Rocka Rolla. And it's also nice, like a really nice feeling, especially to attach it to what will be a 50th anniversary moment. It's just a beautiful feeling.

Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) track listing:

1. One For The Road (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
2. Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered)
3. Winter (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
4. Deep Freeze (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
5. Winter Retreat (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
6. Cheater (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
7. Never Satisfied (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
8. Run Of The Mill (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
9. Dying To Meet You (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 
10. Caviar And Meths (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered)