Judas Priest has announced a completely remixed and remastered version of their 1974 debut album Rocka Rolla. The new version was done by longtime Judas Priest collaborator Tom Allom, who said the purpose of Rocka Rolla 2024 was to only enhance what already exists.
"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."
So why remix and remaster Rocka Rolla in 2024? Easy – because the original mix and master kind of sucked.
"I took the record… and I put the needle onto the groove and I sat back. And I just slowly started to deflate, deflate." said Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford upon hearing the original Rocka Rolla for the first time.
"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"
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill added: "Recorded during nighttime sessions to save costs, over a few weeks in June and July 1974, on a shoestring budget, Rocka Rolla was always going to have its flaws! But walking into my local record store and seeing it on a shelf amongst all your idol's records was the proudest feeling in the world, and I thought, 'Whatever happens now, nothing can change that!'
"Now re-mixed by Tom Allom and re-mastered, Rocka Rolla has finally got the production it deserved!"
Rocka Rolla 2024 is out on September 13 digitally and on November 22 on CD and vinyl. Pre-saves and a mailing list for physical copies are available here.
