San Francisco Bay Guardian: Tell me more about Fight War of Words: The Film.

Rob Halford: It’s a kind of a retrospective look-back at what I was doing at that point in my solo activities in the metal world. It was the first time that I really had an opportunity to express myself with my music in a more individual kind of a way. Especially with the messages I was conveying on different levels that ordinarily I wouldn’t dare touch in Judas Priest, because Judas Priest is a totally different animal. So, it was a very cathartic moment for myself in terms of letting myself loose on writing all of the material for that first [Fight] release, War of Words. While we were putting the band together, we had cameras rolling on the rehearsals, in the studio, going to Amsterdam to write the record, and then on the road, doing a 75 city or so tour around the planet. So we kept all of that. It’s really just making sense of what to do with all of this archive material. A few months back I created this production company called Metal God Entertainment, which is based out of Phoenix. At these initial stages, I’m just utilizing what that production company can do for my solo activities. But in the long-term goal, we really want to try and open it up more to different other possibilities, other metal bands – whatever’s directly involved through the metal community, I would like to feel that it’s going to be a useful outlet for that kind of thing. Having said that, we’ve just gone through this fantastic last couple of weeks of promotion [with the film], in New York City and in Hollywood a few days ago with the movie premiere. And we’re about to do the signing in San Fran on Wednesday. So, it’s just been a really exciting moment, again – to kind of reflect and look back at this time in my career that I think is entertaining and informative for those people who may not be up to speed on that particular period of my life. It’s just a nice catalog of moments in my life that I look back on with a lot of affection. There’s still a lot of passion – I think when you look at the actual performance of the band onstage, cut from many many different cities around the world, that’s when the real essence of the Fight group just roars still. Even though that music was in, like, 1992, 1993, the music is still relevent. It still kicks. There’s a lot of energy. Seeing all the fans go crazy in the movie theater in New York and in Hollywood a few days ago is testament to that.

SFBG: How is Fight’s music different from the music of your other bands, Halford, Judas Priest …

RH: In the sense that when you’re working with different musicians, they’re obviously bringing their own style to the table. So it was with all the players in Fight – I think we created kind of a unique sound for that particular time line. As a result, we got an enormous amount of respect. Some people say we were a little bit ahead of again. As you know, in the early 1990s, there was just an enormous amount of flux and change going on in the music industry with what was going on in Seattle, particularly. Everything was kind of topsy-turvy, and everybody was trying to make sense of where we were going next. I kind of feel a little bit bittersweet about that, as far as, this was maybe a time where there were some missed opportunities. Having said that, you know, that’s life. You move on. I had two fantastic releases with that band, War of Words [1993] and A Small Deadly Space [1995]. And of course, after that, I went off into different ventures.

SFBG: Musically speaking, what’s going on for you these days?

RH: Well, of course, it’s all Priest, Priest, Priest. That’s my main focus besides what’s going on with my own activities at Metal God Entertainment. We’ve got a new record that’s almost ready to go into the mixing sessions. It’s our first-ever concept release, about the famous – would he be a philosopher? Nostradamus.

SFBG: Prognosticator?

RH: Yeah, I don’t know what he is. That’s what’s so intriguing about him. He’s a multifaceted individual. But yeah, we’ve been working really heavily with that the last couple of years. We should have that launched and ready to coordinate with a tour that kicks off in June of next year.

SFBG: Why do you think metal is such an enduring musical genre?

RH: I think it’s essentially a combination of the power that it conveys, musically, and in terms of the message. Those aspects are always about kicking back and pushing back, and dealing with all of the issue that we have in life, in all different textures. Tough ones, or not so tough ones. I think, generation to generation – I’m a middle-aged man, you know, and I started in metal 35 years ago, when it was a brand-new genre of music, and I’m just so excited and, I don’t know whether relieved is the right word, but just to see all of this incredible new metal talent that consistently moves forward and displays their own style and versatility -- from all over the world. It’s not just a Western phenomenon. It’s reaching around the planet, and it’s a vital part of a certain style of music that’s loved and cherished by millions of metalheads around the world.

SFBG: Are there any new bands you can name among your favorites?

RH: I always keep up to speed, because I’m a bit of an internet junkie. There’s a ton of them. From Vancouver, 3 Inches of Blood. Have you heard of this band called Pelican, they’re an instrumental band? They don’t have a singer, but they’re very dark? And all the other bands that are not so new, like Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, you know. There’s just too many to list. Those are just a few. I’ll always be [a fan] – I think you’ll find that’s the case with most musicians. It just becomes immersed in your life.

SFBG: You're voicing a character in the metal-themed video game Brutal Legend – how did that come about?

RH: These things happen to me, out of the blue. It’s like when I did that movie Spun with Mickey Rourke. I can’t recall exactly how [the video game] happened, but the opportunity was there and I heard of all these great people who were behind it. I’d never done anything like that before. It’s a bit exciting, and it’s a wonderful game – it’s the first game, really, that’s using metal music as a format for the soundtrack as you go from scene to scene. I play this crazy character. It’s quite a comprehensive role – it goes through most of the game. Just a lot of fun to do. I’m looking forward to seeing the final product when it comes out.

SFBG: Are you excited to come to San Francisco?

RH: I always am, for lots of different reasons. Obviously as a gay man, that’s part of my culture, part of my background. San Francisco is an extremely important place for everybody in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community. And I love to meet the fans face to face, because I don’t get the opportunity to do that a lot. It’s a nice way to shake hands and thank people for their support.

In-store appearance, Wed/28, 5 p.m., free
Rasputin Music
69 Powell, SF
1-800-350-8700
www.rasputinmusic.com

Film screening with Halford in person, Wed/28, 8 p.m., $25
Embarcadero Center Cinema
One Embarcadero Center, promenade level, SF
(415) 352-0835
www.landmarktheatres.com

www.robhalford.com