Judas Priest [ tickets ] is gearing up for a U.S. tour that will support its recently released album, “Demolition.” The month-long outing kicks off in mid-September, and will feature fellow metal veterans Anthrax [ tickets ] in the opening slot.

Released late last month, “Demolition” (Atlantic) is Priest’s first new album in three years, and is the group’s second with frontman Tim “Ripper” Owens.

Formerly the lead singer in a Judas Priest cover band, Owens joined Priest in the early ‘90s when Rob Halford--who fronted the band for over 20 years--split to pursue solo projects. A forthcoming feature film titled “Rock Star” is loosely based on Owens’ unlikely path to the helm of Judas Priest, according to a Yahoo! Movies synopsis.

Judas Priest will precede the U.S. run with a South American jaunt that kicks off on Aug. 1.

Prior to its outing with Judas Priest, Anthrax has a series of September headlining dates. Also, the band is scheduled to perform in San Francisco on Saturday (8/11) at Thrash of the Titans, a benefit for cancer-stricken Testament frontman Chuck Billy.

Anthrax plans to record its Oct. 3 performance on the Judas Priest tour for a live album that will be released in November. According to the band’s official website, a forthcoming studio album is set for a March 2002 release. In the interim, Beyond Records will reissue 1993’s “Sound of White Noise” and 1995’s “Stomp 442” on Aug. 28. Both albums will contain four bonus tracks previously unreleased in the U.S.