If you’re a metal fan, the date of the Metal Masters tour is probably marked on your calendar. The landmark tour features Heaven and Hell (the Dio-era Black Sabbath lineup), the three-headed Energizer bunny known as Motörhead, thrash veterans Testament and metallic pioneers Judas Priest. The latter remain hard at work since the return of vocalist Rob Halford in 2003, with their most recent album Nostradamus cataloguing the life of that noted predictor. I spoke with guitarist/songwriter Glenn Tipton, as he nursed a hangover — a condition he insisted is very rare for him these days.

How did the band decide on a two-disc concept album about the life of Nostradamus?
Actually, it was our manager who suggested Nostradamus. Everybody knows about his predictions, but his life was more interesting, in a way. He suffered a lot of tragedy. He lost his wife and family to the plague. That, combined with the alchemy and the mystery side of things intrigued and inspired us, and we started to write. Before we knew it, we had almost two albums of material. 

If Nostradamus is a heavy metal icon, does the plague represent disco?
You can draw conclusions in any way, shape or form. So the plague could be disco, rap — you name it. [It could be] whatever you don’t like, or like.

You’re essentially a band with two lead guitarists. At this point in your career, how do you collaborate with [guitarist] K.K. Downing?
Because we’ve been working together for so long, we kind of have a sixth sense. We very rarely say, “you take the lead on this one, I’ll take the lead on that one.” We sort of end up saying “I’ve done a bit of work on this one” on certain songs, and if we’ve both done a bit of work on one song, we turn it into a trade-off solo section. It usually sorts itself out quite naturally. I’ll try to beat [his solos], and he’ll come back and try to beat me. In our songs, we feel a lead break needs to justify and better a song. It shouldn’t be there just for the sake of it, to show what you do. It needs to improve the song.

Why did you initially decide to join the band in 1974?
I was in a couple of little bands and we weren’t going anywhere. I wasn’t really aware of the potential [of Judas Priest] until I stepped into it, and then it was immediately clear how much talent was in the band and how well we wrote together.

Who are some of your favourite guitarists?
As a guitar player, my two main inspirations were Rory Gallagher and Hendrix. I used to go watch Rory Gallagher play at a club in Birmingham called Mother’s. Then Hendrix came along. Those were the two guys who made me realize there was more to life than British Steel, where I worked at the time, and that I should pick up a guitar.

Does this tour feel a bit like a reunion of friends?
Yeah, it’s going to be good, because with the exception of Ronnie, Black Sabbath come from Birmingham, which is our town as well. We played with Sabbath on Ozzfest a few years ago, and that was great. We all like an Indian curry and a pint of lager, and get on really well. It’s good to have an audience that’s united out there.

Since you’re older now, will there be both a nap zone and a party zone backstage?
We don’t party like we used to, although I can’t say the same for last night. There just happened to be an Irish pub down the road. We’re not as wild as we used to be, but I’m sure it’s not going to be a boring tour.