More than a dozen years after he left Judas Priest [ tickets ] to pursue other projects, original frontman Rob Halford [ tickets ] has reunited with the heavy metal group.

Halford--known for his distinctive voice and leather wardrobe--will join longtime Judas Priest guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis for a "global live concert tour in 2004," according to a press release. The tour will celebrate the group's 30th anniversary.

Judas Priest and Ripper Owens, the vocalist who replaced Halford, "have parted amicably by mutual agreement," according to the statement. "The band is very grateful for Ripper's work in helping them to continue to bring Judas Priest's music to their millions of fans and they expect big things for him in the future."

Formerly the lead singer in a Judas Priest cover band, Owens joined Judas Priest following Halford's departure in the early '90s. The 2001 feature film "Rock Star," starring Mark Wahlberg, was loosely based on Owens' unlikely path to the helm of Judas Priest.

According to the band's publicist, Halford and the other band members have been re-establishing their personal and professional relationships since 1999. As a result, "several exciting projects, in addition to the 2004 world tour, are in the early planning stages."

Judas Priest emerged from the working-class steel town of Birmingham, England, and became one of the world's biggest rock bands in the '80s. Among the group's best-known tracks are "Breaking the Law," "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," and "Living After Midnight."