Dude, listen to the new Judas Priest album Nostradamus right here before anyone in the entire frickin' world. The band and Headbangersblog.com have teamed up to present the double disc set in streaming audio as 'The Leak.' Click on the link below to hear it. And now, a little background.

For the past two years, Judas Priest have truly challenged themselves like never before. Instead of sticking to the formula and cranking out an album that cobbled together elements from past classics like 1980's British Steel, 1982's Screaming For Vengeance and 1990's Painkiller, the self-proclaimed "Metal Gods" have rewritten the recipe by crafting the first epic heavy metal opera by a major band since Queensryche's original Operation: Mindcrime.

For those who've lived in an Amish village until recently, Nostradamus tells the story of the legendary sixteenth century French prophet Michel de Nostradame. But the album doesn't just address his controversial predictions -- including the one about the end of the world -- it also chronicles his turbulent life, including the death of his wife and children from disease and his imprisonment in 1561 for disobeying the Catholic Church.

Judas Priest compliment the tale with songs that range from short, delicate instrumental interludes to full-blown metal anthems and the discs feature an abundance of keyboard strings, synth flourishes and piano. Throughout, frontman Rob Halford uses his voice to full effect and guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton reveal a myriad of styles, including atmospheric arpeggios, hook-filled minor-key licks and crunching power-chord riffs. And, while the axemen hold back at times for the good of the songs, their solos are as unrestrained as ever.

Well, that's our take on the thing. Now click "more" to listen to Judas Priest's Nostradamus in its entirety. Read more...