Breaking News: Judas Priest & The Weeknd – Cheers to a Metal Mayhem! 👇 Watch the Full Video Below
In a completely unexpected twist that left the music world stunned, Judas Priest and The Weeknd joined forces this weekend for a genre-blurring spectacle titled “Cheers to a Metal Mayhem.” What many assumed was just a quirky rumor turned into a full-blown, lights-blazing performance that’s already being hailed as one of the boldest and most bizarrely brilliant moments of 2025.
On Saturday night in Los Angeles, a private invite-only show turned global phenomenon as iconic metal legends Judas Priest took the stage—only to shock the crowd moments later when The Weeknd, one of the biggest names in contemporary pop and R&B, strode out in full metal regalia. The mash-up of styles, sounds, and personas would have seemed impossible in theory, but the results were nothing short of epic.
Where Fire Meets Falsetto
The event, held at a mysterious warehouse-turned-performance space, was billed as an “immersive sound experiment.” Industry insiders were invited, and fans began to speculate about surprise appearances. But no one anticipated that Rob Halford—the “Metal God” himself—would be trading verses with The Weeknd.
Drenched in leather and spikes, Halford roared through the opening of “Electric Eye”, only for the song to melt into a synth-heavy, brooding remix laced with The Weeknd’s unmistakable vocals. What followed was a wild ride: eight songs, two genres, and one collaboration that no one will forget.
Setlist of Shock and Awe
Here’s a rundown of some of the jaw-dropping highlights from the performance:
“Electric Eye x After Hours” – A mash-up remix that brought Priest’s razor-sharp guitars into The Weeknd’s darkwave synth world.
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” – The Weeknd handled the verses while Halford delivered the chorus with trademark power, with pyro exploding behind them.
“Blinding Lights” (Metal Remix) – Faulkner and Travis cranked up the tempo as The Weeknd sang with new ferocity, headbanging along with the band.
New Unreleased Track – Titled “Metal Hearts Bleed at Dawn,” the track is a haunting, emotionally charged duet that may signal more collaborations to come.
The full performance was captured in high quality and released just hours later on YouTube, where it quickly trended worldwide. Fans have since flooded the video with praise, disbelief, and memes. Within 24 hours, the video amassed over 20 million views, with fans from both sides—metalheads and pop loyalists—singing its praises.
What Brought Them Together?
While their musical backgrounds couldn’t be more different, mutual admiration appears to have sparked the collaboration. The Weeknd revealed in a backstage interview:
> “People know me for R&B, pop, synths—but I’ve always loved metal. Judas Priest was rebellion, style, danger. I wanted to honor that.”
Rob Halford added:
> “We’re always open to innovation. Metal is eternal, and it thrives when it surprises. Abel [The Weeknd] brought something fresh, honest, and bold. That’s what music is about.”
The pair reportedly began collaborating in secret late last year. A few studio sessions turned into a deeper creative experiment, and “Cheers to a Metal Mayhem” was born.
Fans React: “I Never Thought This Would Work—But It Does!”
The internet responded in full force:
“The crossover I never asked for but totally needed.”
“Halford x Weeknd is the collab I didn’t know could SLAY.”
“This is what happens when two legends refuse to be boxed in.”
Some purists raised eyebrows at the unexpected blend of pop-R&B with classic British heavy metal. But the overwhelming majority of listeners have embraced the chaos, seeing it as proof that boundaries in music are meant to be smashed.
Even major artists chimed in:
Post Malone posted, “This is FIRE.”
Lady Gaga tweeted, “Genre is dead. Long live the sound.”
Ozzy Osbourne reposted a clip with flame emojis and the caption: “YES.”
Will There Be More?
The ending of the performance teased just that. As the crowd erupted in cheers and confetti exploded from above, The Weeknd shouted, “You haven’t seen the last of this mayhem!”
Insiders say a joint EP could be in the works, with at least three tracks already recorded. There are also whispers of The Weeknd making a surprise appearance on Judas Priest’s “One Last Ride” farewell tour next year.
One record executive hinted that a Grammy performance or MTV crossover award segment is also being considered to showcase this unlikely pairing again in front of a global audience.
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Final Toast to Mayhem
The event ended with Rob Halford and The Weeknd toasting with glasses of absinthe-green liquor, both laughing as they clinked glasses. “To metal, to music, and to madness,” Halford declared. The Weeknd nodded, grinning: “And to whatever this was—cheers to a metal mayhem!”
Whether you’re a die-hard Priest follower or a devoted XO fan, one thing is clear: music history was made this weekend, and it sounded like a thunderstorm in neon lights.
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