Judas Priest are marking the 50th anniversary of their landmark sophomore album ‘Sad Wings Of Destiny’ with two new editions that will revisit the 1976 classic in both archival and remixed forms.
Both versions will arrive digitally on October 2, with the Original 1976 Masters edition receiving its physical release on October 9. The newly created Remixed & Remastered version will follow on CD and vinyl November 27.
Originally released in 1976, ‘Sad Wings Of Destiny’ marked a major step forward for Judas Priest, with the lineup of Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, Ian Hill and drummer Alan Moore delivering songs that would become staples of the band’s catalog, including “Victim Of Changes” and “The Ripper.”
For the Original 1976 Masters edition, the album has been sourced from the original analog master tapes and newly remastered for the anniversary. The physical release will be available on hand-poured Solar Flare vinyl, with each record featuring a unique color pattern. The CD edition will arrive in a jewel case with liner notes from Bryan Reesman and previously unseen archival photographs.
That version will also feature the original 1976 recording of “Diamonds And Rust” as a CD bonus track. The song was recorded during the ‘Sad Wings Of Destiny’ sessions but did not appear on the original album.
The second version, Remixed & Remastered, uses the original multitrack recordings for a new mix produced by Tom Allom, mixed by Luie Stylianou and mastered by Matt Colton. The same team previously worked on the remixed and remastered edition of ‘Rocka Rolla’.
For vinyl collectors, the new mix will be issued as a 45 RPM, 180-gram double LP, with the records mastered at half-speed. The CD will come in a digipak, while both physical editions will include a newly remixed version of “Diamonds And Rust” as a bonus track.
Both anniversary editions also restore the band’s intended running order, beginning with the atmospheric “Prelude” before moving through the album’s original sequence.
The Original 1976 Masters edition will be available to stream worldwide October 2, with CD and vinyl arriving October 9. Fans can also gain early physical access through the Exciter Records webstore beginning October 2.
The Remixed & Remastered edition will also hit streaming services October 2, while its physical formats will arrive November 27. Early access through Exciter Records is scheduled for November 6.
‘Sad Wings Of Destiny’ — Original 1976 Masters
- “Prelude”
- “Tyrant”
- “Genocide”
- “Epitaph”
- “Island Of Domination”
- “Victim Of Changes”
- “The Ripper”
- “Dreamer Deceiver”
- “Deceiver”
- “Diamonds And Rust” — CD bonus track
‘Sad Wings Of Destiny’ — Remixed & Remastered
Side A
- “Prelude”
- “Tyrant”
- “Genocide”
Side B
- “Epitaph”
- “Island Of Domination”
Side C
- “Victim Of Changes”
- “The Ripper”
Side D
- “Dreamer Deceiver”
- “Deceiver”
- “Diamonds And Rust” — bonus track
The 50th anniversary campaign began earlier this year with a limited CD edition of the Original 1976 Masters made available exclusively to fans attending Judas Priest’s 2026 Faithkeepers Summer European Tour. The two wider anniversary editions will now continue the celebration of one of the band’s most significant early releases.
If you’re rocking with The Mosh Network, hit the link and add us as a Preferred Source on Google. That’s the easiest way to keep our latest metal, hardcore, and alternative news, tours, and releases showing up directly in your feed.
