British heavy metal legends Judas Priest 1976 sophomore album “Sad Wings Of Destiny” is scheduled to be celebrated with two 50th anniversary editions this year. Both are expected out digitally on October 02nd, with one edition focusing on the original 1976 masters, while the other collection finds the album having newly been re-mixed by Luie Stylianou and remastered Matt Colton. Physical releases will follow on October 09th for the original masters set, while vinyl and CD of the remixed & remastered edition will be out on November 27th.
A press release said of these plans:
‘Released in 1976, Sad Wings of Destiny was the moment Judas Priest found its true identity. Where Rocka Rolla offered promise, Sad Wings delivered purpose.
Fronted by Rob Halford (voc), Glenn Tipton (gtr), KK Downing (gtr), Ian Hill (bass) and Alan Moore (drums), Sad Wings of Destiny was a bold, dark, and ambitious statement that would help define heavy metal and featured future metal classics such as ‘Victim of Changes’ and ‘The Ripper’—songs that Judas Priest performed live during their 2026 FAITHKEEPERS Summer Tour.
Now in the 50th anniversary year of its original release, Judas Priest’s Sad Wings of Destiny is being celebrated with two distinct editions of the album: Original 1976 Masters and the newly announced Remixed & Remastered. These two new versions restore the band’s intended track listing, beginning with the atmospheric “Prelude” and presenting the songs in the sequence Judas Priest originally envisioned for the album.
Original 1976 Masters presents an archival edition of the recordings, sourced from the original analogue master tapes, preserved in storage for decades, and remastered for the anniversary. The physical release will be available on hand-poured Solar Flare vinyl, with a unique color pattern on every record. The CD is presented in a classic jewel case with liner notes by Bryan Reesman, previously unseen archival photographs, and adds the original 1976 version of ‘Diamonds and Rust,’ which was recorded during the Sad Wings sessions but left off the album. The UK and European release also offers a ‘Galaxy’ colour vinyl option.
The ‘Original 1976 Masters’ is available for streaming worldwide on October 2, 2026—with CD and vinyl available starting October 9th, with early access through the Exciter Records webstore on October 2.
Remixed & Remastered features a newly created mix from the original multitrack recordings, produced by Tom Allom, mixed by Luie Stylianou and mastered by Matt Colton—the same team behind the Remixed & Remastered Edition of Rocka Rolla. The release will be available as a 45 RPM, 180g Double LP on black vinyl, mastered at half-speed for a true audiophile experience. The CD is presented in a modern digipak design. Both physical editions contain a newly remixed version of the 1976 recording of ‘Diamonds and Rust‘ as a bonus track.
The ‘Remixed & Remastered’ is available for streaming worldwide on October 2, 2026—with CD and vinyl available starting November 27, with early access through the Exciter Records webstore on November 6.
PHYSICAL RELEASE DATES
Original 1976 Masters
Vinyl and CD available starting October 9
Early access through Exciter Records on October 2
Pre-save for streaming HERETRACK LISTING:
- Prelude
- Tyrant
- Genocide
- Epitaph
- Island of Domination
- Victim of Changes
- The Ripper
- Dreamer Deceiver
- Deceiver
- Diamonds and Rust [CD BONUS TRACK]
Remixed & Remastered
Vinyl and CD available starting November 27
Early access through Exciter Records on November 6
Pre-save for streaming HERE
Vinyl:
SIDE A
Prelude
Tyrant
GenocideSIDE B
Epitaph
Island of DominationSIDE C
Victim of Changes
The RipperSIDE D
Dreamer Deceiver
Deceiver
Diamonds and Rust (Bonus Track)CD:
- Prelude
- Tyrant
- Genocide
- Epitaph
- Island of Domination
- Victim of Changes
- The Ripper
- Dreamer Deceiver
- Deceiver
- Diamonds and Rust [Bonus Track]
The 50th anniversary kicked off over the summer 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 celebration continues with the release of these two definitive editions.’
