Editing Judas Priest (section)

=== Downing's retirement and Epitaph World Tour (2010–2011) ===
Judas Priest announced on 7 December 2010, that their [[Epitaph World Tour]] would be the band's farewell tour and would run up until 2012.<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|title=JUDAS PRIEST Announces Farewell 'Epitaph' Tour – Dec. 7, 2010|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=150501|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=8 December 2010|date=7 December 2010}}</ref> In a January 2011 interview, Halford said about the band's impending retirement: "I think it's time, you know. We're not the first band to say farewell, it's just the way everyone comes to at some point and we're gonna say a few more things early next year, so I think the main thing that we just want to ask everybody to consider is don't be sad about this, start celebrating and rejoicing over all the great things we've done in Judas Priest."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152181 |title=ROB HALFORD Doesn't Want Fans To Be Sad About JUDAS PRIEST's Upcoming Farewell Tour |access-date=13 January 2011 |date=11 January 2011 |work=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

[[File:Judas Priest, päälava, Sauna Open Air 2011, Tampere, 11.6.2011 (63).JPG|thumb|Judas Priest performing at the Sauna Open Air in 2011]]
On 27 January 2011, it was announced that Judas Priest were in the process of writing new material; the band also clarified their plans for the future, saying, "this is by no means the end of the band. In fact, we are presently writing new material, but we do intend this to be the last major world tour."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152891 |title=JUDAS PRIEST Working on New Material – Jan. 27, 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 |date=27 January 2011 |work=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles on 26 May of the new material Glenn Tipton said: "It's quite a mixed bag. Really, there's more sentiment on this album. In a way, I suppose, it's also our farewell album, although it might not be our last one. There are some anthems on there, which pay tribute to our fans".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158633 |title=JUDAS PRIEST: More Video Footage Of Los Angeles Press Conference – May 25, 2011 |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820094641/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158633 |archive-date=20 August 2011}}</ref>

On 20 April 2011, it was announced that K. K. Downing had retired from the band and would not complete the Epitaph World Tour. Downing cited differences with the band and the management, and a breakdown in their relationship. [[Richie Faulkner]], guitarist for [[Lauren Harris]]' band, was announced as his replacement for the Epitaph World Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=31894B27-BD13-43BA-84F0-6A11B4F9D835 |title=News – K.K. DOWNING retirement Press Release |publisher=JudasPriest.com |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> Downing's retirement left bassist Ian Hill as the longest-serving member of the band.

On 25 May 2011, Judas Priest played during the finale of [[American Idol (season 10)|''American Idol'' season 10]] with [[James Durbin (singer)|James Durbin]], making it their first live performance without K.K. Downing.<ref name="ai" /> The band played a mixture of two songs: "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law".<ref name="ai">{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158631 |title=JUDAS PRIEST Performs On 'American Idol' Finale; Video Available |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530044108/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158631 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 7 June 2011, the band announced that it planned to release the box set ''[[Single Cuts]]'', a collection of [[Single (music)|singles]], the following August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159102 |title=JUDAS PRIEST To Release 'Single Cuts' In August |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=7 June 2011 |access-date=11 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101946/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159102 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>