Richie Faulkner, Judas Priest’s current touring guitarist and powerhouse producer, continues to have fans cheering as his relentless passion and talent redefine modern metal. At 38, he’s concurrently performing stadium-piercing leads with the Metal Gods and producing breakthrough music that carries forward the genre’s legacy. Here’s why fans everywhere are celebrating his monumental contributions—on and off stage.
1. 🔥 Bringing the Fire: Crafting Modern Metal’s Cutting Edge
Faulkner isn’t just a touring guitarist—he’s one of the sonic architects behind metal’s contemporary sound. Producers, critics, and fans credit him for fusing classic metal aggression with experimental structures and modern production—a recipe that has revitalized Judas Priest’s recent output. Contributing heavily to both Firepower (2018) and Invincible Shield (2024), Faulkner helped produce their highest-charting records ever .
He explained that Invincible Shield intentionally pulls from their progressive roots, “a bit more progressive… with a few more twists and turns” compared to classic Priest, though not to the extent of prog giants like Rush . His riffs and chord progressions—colored by his classic influences of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Hendrix, and more—drive the fresh yet loyal metal sound today .
2. 👊 Shock to Surge: Overcoming Health Crisis & Still Thriving
In 2021, Richie suffered a massive aortic aneurysm onstage at Louder Than Life Festival, followed by emergency surgery. In early 2025, he publicly revealed lingering effects—including a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and a confirmed stroke—which has impacted his right hand, critical for his guitar work . The emotional weight of the moment came through in his candid reveal: “Something’s wrong with the right hand… doctors said it’s stroke damage… It is small, on the left side” .
Despite this, Faulkner resumed touring—driven by unwavering fans and enduring inner fire. He remained transparent about challenges with performance and practice, admitting concerns like, “I was worried that I was letting Judas Priest fans down…” . Yet, each night on stage proves a triumph over adversity.
3. 🔧 Gear & Production: Shaping the Sound Behind the Sound
Faulkner’s musicianship shines in the studio as well. Known for his signature Gibson/Epiphone Flying-V guitars with EMG pickups and live-wired rigs, he focuses on tone richness and articulation that helps Priest’s sound resonate both on record and live .
With Andy Sneap co-producing Firepower and Invincible Shield, Faulkner played a pivotal role in balancing vintage Priest dynamics with contemporary clarity . He emphasized the synergy: “creative juices flowing” and “always ideas coming up” sustain Priest’s momentum .
4. 🌍 Tour & Creative Horizon: What Lies Ahead
Looking forward, Priest’s “Shield of Pain” tour—celebrating both Painkiller’s 35th anniversary and Invincible Shield—continues its global journey. Prior to a South America run, Faulkner hinted in April 2025 at early creative discussion for a 21st studio album—but cut no dates for recording, given the packed tour schedule .
He shared:
“We are always working on ideas… what would it sound like?… We’ll have to wait and see.”
And encouragingly:
“There’s always ideas coming up… riffs and melodies and song ideas… hopefully, early next year we’ll pool those ideas…” .
5. 👥 A Legacy Reinvigorated: Why Fans Are Ecstatic
In stepping into the boots of K.K. Downing in 2011, Faulkner faced immense skepticism. But his relentless energy, dedication to the Priest legacy, and modern vision quickly transformed him from newcomer to keystone. As Rob Halford once stated, “to some extent Richie saved Judas Priest…” .
The creative chemistry, thanks partly to Faulkner’s influence, has catalyzed a second golden era—Firepower peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200, the band’s best yet; Invincible Shield peaked alike and brought new musical complexity .
Fans worldwide see Faulkner not just as a live guitarist, but a modern torchbearer—a producer, songwriter, and unstoppable human story.
🎯 In Summary: A Modern Metal Champion
Richie Faulkner’s journey sums up what metal’s spirit stands for:
- Innovation: pushing Judas Priest’s sound forward while staying rooted in 70s/80s DNA.
- Resilience: overcoming life-threatening health setbacks and continuing to perform.
- Creativity: fueling album and tour cycles, and laying groundwork for forthcoming records.
- Inspiration: symbolizing redemption, perseverance, and impact to fans and musicians alike.
With Priest’s tour still rocking stages, new creative sparks in the works, and Faulkner’s signature tone booming, 2025 stands out as a landmark year. Fans are celebrating not just his technical prowess, but the man himself—his spirit, strength, and sound. As he turns ideas into riffs, and grief into groove, Richie Faulkner isn’t just defining modern metal—he is modern metal.
Here’s to the next riff, the next show, the next record. Long live Richie Faulkner—long live metal.
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