Ian Hill Says Judas Priest Will Remix ‘Rocka Rolla’ Soon

Ian Hill told Detroit’s WRIF Meltdown that Judas Priest’s first record ‘Rocka Rolla’ would be remixed shortly. “After all these years, [longtime Priest producer] Tom Allom re-engineered it,” the bassist said. The multi-tracks were in great shape, and he modified certain sounds, modernized it, and remixed it. Hill said, “And he’s done great job. It should be released soon. It’s probably just a few weeks away. Yes, but he redone it. It will be republished, which is excellent. It now has the output it needs.”

Reach Music Publishing acquired Gull Entertainments’ ‘Rocka Rolla’ and ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ albums in April 2023. Reach is collaborating with Judas Priest on these albums and planning special ‘Rocka Rolla’ 50th anniversary releases. At the time, Reach Music president and owner Michael Closter said, “The acquisition of the masters and publishing for the albums ‘Rocka Rolla’ and ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ was a monumental opportunity for Reach Music, coming not long after Judas Priest’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.”

He said, “This deal happened with the approval of Judas Priest and their manager Jayne Andrews, and I’m so excited to begin working closely with them on a variety of special projects, including releasing high-quality reissues.” Rob Halford described his experience performing ‘Rocka Rolla’ live for the first time in 45 years at last month’s Bloodstock Open Air event in the UK in 2021. He said, “I discarded it. Everyone had a list. “I don’t think that’s gonna work,” Glenn [Tipton, guitar] said after I tossed that out. I answered, “I don’t think it’ll work either.”

I remarked, ‘But wouldn’t it be so wonderful if we did that, since there is the title tune of this band’s debut album? When we jammed it in practice and Richie [Faulkner, guitar] added a double speed and arrangement change, I thought, “Oh, man.” “This will work,” the singer said. ‘Rocka Rolla’ debuted in September 1974. Instead of recording individually, the band recorded the album live in the studio.