Nostradamus

Nostradamus is the 16th studio album by Judas Priest. It is a concept album, focusing on the 16th century prophet Nostradamus. The band's first concept album, it was originally intended to be released in late 2006 before being pushed back to a 2007 release, and was finally released in June 2008 on Epic Records. It is also the band's 16th studio album to date.

Judas Priest toured with Motörhead, Heaven and Hell, and Testament on the Metal Masters Tour to promote Nostradamus.

Guitarist K. K. Downing revealed in a February 2007 interview with Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles that 18 tracks had been recorded with a total length of more than 90 minutes and that there was not much he would like to cut down. Musically, the album contains symphonic orchestrations including the use of keyboards and choirs which is unlike anything the band has previously attempted. In November 2007 the band began mixing the album.

In November 2007, singer Rob Halford indicated that it was still undecided whether it would be a double-disc set or not. In April 2008, it was confirmed that the album would be released as a double-CD/triple vinyl LP.

According to Billboard.com, the album was released in Europe on June 16, 2008 and June 17 in United States. Three configurations of Nostradamus have been issued. The most common is a regular jewel-cased double CD, but there is also a "CD deluxe hardbound version," which features a 48-page booklet, while a "super deluxe version" includes three vinyl records (in addition to the CD deluxe packaging, plus a poster).

The title track was released on April 12, 2008 as a free download on Judas Priest's website through Epic Records. The second single "Visions" would be released on May 4, 2008.

On June 11 and 12, 2008, the album was allowed to be streamed in its entirety on VH1's "The Leak" website.

The title track was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 50th Grammy Awards, but lost to Metallica's "My Apocalypse".

Nostradamus centres on the life and times of the prophet. The first disc details various prophecies he has about the future and the end of the world. This leads to him being exiled. Later on, after his death, the world realises just how right he was.