Judas Priest released their debut album Rocka Rolla on September 6, 1974. The record was produced by Black Sabbath producer Rodger Bain and is the only Judas Priest record to feature drummer John Hinch. Now a full 50 years later, Rocka Rolla is getting remixed for a re-release.
According to Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill in an interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF, longtime Judas Priest producer Tom Allom is working on a remix with the original stems. Hill also notes that the remix will be "more modern," which should be interesting depending on how "modern" they're gonna try and make a record from 1974 sound.
"It's just been re-engineered by Tom Allom after all of these years," said Hill. "The multi-tracks were in remarkably good condition, and he's changed some of the sounds, made it more modern and obviously remixed it. And he's done a great job. It's just coming out shortly, I believe. It's only a few weeks away, I'm sure it is. Yeah, but he's redone it. It's gonna be re-released, which is great news. It's finally got the production it's always needed."
So we'll see what happens. Best case it sounds awesome and everyone loves it, worst case it suffers from that modern remix syndrome and we all go back to listening to the original. Either way, Judas Priest rules.
