An Open Letter to the Gods of Metal: Metallica and Judas Priest Announce Epic Final Joint Tour

Rolling Stone

Dear Metal Gods,

We never thought this day would come.

In a world where legends refuse to die, where guitars still scream in stadiums and the drum beats still echo across generations, two of heavy metal’s most thunderous names have decided to go out with a roar—not a whisper. Metallica and Judas Priest have jointly announced what is being hailed as The Final Crusade — a monumental farewell tour that will carve its way across cities around the globe, marking the end of an era, and possibly, the closing chapter of metal’s most enduring saga.

For those who grew up with the sound of Marshall stacks rattling their bones, for those who found catharsis in the gallop of “Painkiller” and the apocalypse of “Master of Puppets,” this isn’t just a concert announcement. It’s a seismic event.

The Last Ride

The news broke like a lightning bolt through a quiet sky. Early this morning, both bands posted a coordinated statement across their official social media accounts with the same two words: “The Time Has Come.”

What followed was a full release detailing a tour that spans continents, eras, and legacies. Beginning in late spring 2026 and rolling into the following winter, the Final Crusade tour will include stadium stops in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, London, São Paulo, Sydney, and more. A total of 32 dates have been announced, with rumors of special guests and surprise collaborations.

“This isn’t just a tour—it’s a goodbye, a celebration, and a thank-you all in one,” said Metallica frontman James Hetfield during a streamed press conference. “We’re going to play the songs that changed lives, that saved lives. And we’re doing it with our brothers in Priest. We couldn’t imagine a better way to ride off into the sunset.”

A Brotherhood Forged in Fire

Though Metallica and Judas Priest emerged from different generations of metal, their stories have always run parallel — kindred spirits pushing sonic boundaries and evolving the genre for nearly half a century.

Judas Priest, formed in Birmingham in the early ’70s, practically forged the steel upon which metal stands. Rob Halford’s searing vocals and the band’s twin-guitar attack became the template for countless others. Then came Metallica, out of the American underground in the early ’80s, marrying speed, aggression, and raw emotion with technical brilliance and lyrical depth. They didn’t just take the torch — they lit it anew.

And while the two bands have shared stages over the decades, they’ve never done anything of this scale — a co-headlining, no-holds-barred, globe-spanning event to end all events.

“For years, we’ve talked about it,” Halford said, his signature black shades hiding eyes that still seem to burn with that eternal fire. “We always knew we’d want to finish on our own terms. And we wanted to finish together.”

The Setlist Dreams Are Made Of

While full setlists remain under wraps, fans can expect deep cuts and greatest hits alike. Each band has promised not only their classics — think “Breaking the Law,” “Electric Eye,” “Enter Sandman,” “One” — but also rarities, unreleased material, and tributes to bandmates past and present.

Metallica’s Kirk Hammett hinted at some surprises: “We’re dusting off a few songs we haven’t played in decades — and a few we’ve never played. It’s going to be epic.”

Rumors are already swirling that select dates may feature guest appearances by members of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and even Black Sabbath alumni. Some fans are whispering about a possible finale where both bands share the stage for a collaborative encore. Could we see Hetfield and Halford trading verses? Lars Ulrich and Scott Travis dueling on drums? No one’s saying no.

A Message to the Fans

The press release was written as an open letter — not to critics, not to the industry, but to the fans. And it read like a love note from two giants who’ve spent their lives feeding off the energy of crowds, circle pits, and devil horns in the air.

“You’ve given us your time, your passion, your lives. You’ve stood in the rain, the snow, the blistering heat — you’ve screamed, cried, bled, and sung every word louder than the PA. You’ve raised generations on our music. Now we raise our glasses to you, one last time.”

There was no manufactured PR gloss. Just raw emotion, humility, and gratitude.

“It’s never been about perfection,” Hetfield said. “It’s been about truth. And heavy metal has always been the most honest music in the world. We’re proud of what we’ve built, but more than anything, we’re proud of the community.”

Halford echoed the sentiment: “This tour is for every kid who ever felt alone until they put on headphones and found a family in the music. This is your goodbye too.”

The Legacy Endures

Metallica and Judas Priest aren’t just bands. They’re institutions. They’ve shaped fashion, politics, art, and culture. They’ve inspired novels, films, tattoos, protests, and pilgrimages. They’ve lived through vinyl, cassettes, CDs, MP3s, and streaming—and still draw stadium-sized crowds.

Their joint farewell tour is more than a swan song—it’s a coronation. One final chapter before the book is closed. But if rock ‘n’ roll has taught us anything, it’s that legacies never truly end.

And while fans are already scrambling for pre-sale codes and camping gear, they know what’s at stake. They know that The Final Crusade is more than just another tour. It’s the kind of history you don’t read about—you live it.

So yes, dear metal gods, the time has come. And we will be there.

From the pit to the nosebleeds, from front row diehards to those streaming from their garages, we will raise our fists. We will sing. We will remember.

And when the lights go down one final time, and the echoes of the last chord fade into silence… we’ll say goodbye the only way metalheads know how:

With everything we’ve got.

The Final Crusade Tour
Official Dates Announced – Tickets On Sale This Month
Visit: [metallicapriestfinaltour.com]

Stay loud. Stay true. Stay metal.