Devin Townsend Expressed The Reason For Rejecting The Opportunity To Join Judas Priest

Devin Townsend (Instagram @dvntownsend)

JAKARTA - Devin Townsend confirmed he was included in the list of candidates when Judas Priest was looking for a new vocalist to fill Rob Halford's big position in the early 1990s.

The 50-year-old Canadian musician and producer discussed the moment while appearing in the latest episode of "The SDR Show".

Asked if it was true that he was approached to audition for Judas Priest almost 30 years ago, this is Devin's answer.

"Technically, yes, it happened, but it's not like they knocked down my door. Basically, they gave a blanket to a group of singer Warrel [Dane] of Nvermore, myself, several other people, [coming in shape] letters with [Logo Judas Priest]," Devin said.

"Unleashed in the East is a cool album for me, and that's how it is... But I also remember thinking that singing was something that happened to me because of my engagement with Steve [Vai], because I never really left to be a singer.

"I learned to sing because I was a guitar player and most of the singers I auditioned, not with me. So I thought, 'OK, I'm going to learn to sing until I don't have to sing anymore. And then, here we are, years later, where it's kind of my deal. But, as a result, the technique I have is so bad that I get to the situation with that level of hope, singing like Rob Halford - man."

Devin previously spoke of his love for Judas Priest in a 2012 interview with The Quiet where he was asked to choose some of his favorite albums.

"I think if I had to choose studio footage [from Judas Priest], I would choose Defenders Of The Faith, just because that was the first time I heard when I was a kid, but I chose Unleashed in the East because it was the first real heavy metal record that really caught my ear, and Mot Mikihead's song from Motorhead, it was kind of one-two punch," said Devin at the time.