RICHIE FAULKNER Reveals 'Coolest Thing' About Being In JUDAS PRIEST

Howie D. of Hard Edge Radio recently conducted an interview with guitarist Richie Faulkner of British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

Asked to name "the coolest or the biggest thing" that happened to him since he joined JUDAS PRIEST more than three years ago, Faulkner said: "I think the most amazing thing is the sense of family and the inclusive nature of the band; it's like a brotherhood. And [it was like that] right from Day One."

He continued: "You know, sometimes, you can imagine, [in certain band situations] it might be a bit of a dictatorship, or there's one or two guys calling the shots, and this is the way it's gonna be, but this was just totally different. And you always hope that your favorite band are gonna be what you expect them to be. And these guys have surpassed that.

"[It's] inclusive, it's a family, opinions are asked for and valued. And even things from the stage clothes, the leathers and studs, any designs for that you might have, or changing a setlist or a production idea. Going into the studio, any ideas around that. So I think kind of mentality has been the greatest thing, really."

He added: "It is not just one single thing. I think it's an education on what to do, [and] what not to do in certain areas. But just that all-encapsulating family atmosphere can only benefit the whole. So I think I would have to say that."

Faulkner joined PRIEST in 2011 following the departure of the band's founding axeman Kenneth "K.K." Downing.

Prior to hooking up with PRIEST, Faulkner was the guitarist in the backing band for Lauren Harris, daughter of IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.

JUDAS PRIEST's 17th studio album, "Redeemer Of Souls", sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Interview (audio):