THE BEAST

The official lyric video for   "Never The Heroes" , a brand new song from British heavy metal legends   JUDAS PRIEST , can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album,   "Firepower" , which will be released on March 9 via   Epic . The follow-up to 2014's   "Redeemer Of Souls"   was recorded by British producer   Andy Sneap , the band's longtime collaborator   Tom Allom   and engineer   Mike Exeter   ( BLACK SABBATH ). The cover artwork for   "Firepower"   was created by the Chilean/Italian digital artist and photographer   Claudio Bergamin .

PRIEST   said in a statement: " 'Never The Heroes'   is about the courageous men and women that enter war. Never trained to be heroes, but becoming heroic due to their actions and sacrifices doing their duty for their people and country. It resonates, as there is a hero in all of us, and in times of struggle we can be strong and united, conquering our own challenges and helping others."

"Firepower"   track listing:

01.   Firepower
02.   Lightning Strike
03.   Evil Never Dies
04.   Never The Heroes
05.   Necromancer
06.   Children of the Sun
07.   Guardians
08.   Rising From Ruins
09.   Flame Thrower
10.   Spectre
11.   Traitors Gate
12.   No Surrender
13.   Lone Wolf
14.   Sea Of Red

Asked by the   WSOU 89.5 FM   radio station if   "Firepower"   is a "heavier" record than 2014's   "Redeemer Of Souls",   JUDAS PRIEST   guitarist   Richie Faulkner   said: "I think 'heavy' means so many different things — it could be heavy in terms of sound, it could be heavy in terms of speed, it could be heavy in terms of lyrical content. So it's hard to know what someone's interpretation of 'heavy' means. But I think it's a more energetic record — I think there's more fire in it — which is one of the reasons why   'Firepower'   was a relevant title to call the record. It's got that kind of intensity. I don't think   'Redeemer'   was lacking in that respect, but this one's definitely got more of it. It's got fast stuff, it's got groovier stuff."

JUDAS PRIEST   guitarist   Glenn Tipton   announced two weeks ago that he will be sitting out the band's touring activities as a result of his battle with Parkinson's disease, with which he was diagnosed a decade ago.

Tipton , who is now 70 and has performed on every   PRIEST   album since the band's 1974's debut set,   "Rocka Rolla" , is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle to rigorous challenges of performing live. Joining   PRIEST   for its upcoming dates will be   Sneap , a former member of   SABBAT   who has most recently played with   HELL .

The North American leg of the   "Firepower"   tour will kick off on March 13 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and will wrap on May 1 in San Antonio, Texas. Support on the trek will come from   SAXON   and   BLACK STAR RIDERS . Via Blabbermouth