You might not know it by looking at him, but Judas Priest/Halford frontman Rob Halford likes a good book. He’s also a devout Christian who is so fond of Christmas carols that he released a holiday album, “Halford III: The Winter Years,” in 2009.
Halford, who turns 60 next year and lives much of the time in San Diego, is one of those superpolite, hyperliterate metal gods who doesn’t seem like a metal god. He called in from Montreal. where he’s touring with Ozzy Osbourne (Halford plays the House of Blues on Thursday) in support of his new album, “Halford IV: Made of Metal.”
A Priest album might come next, and Halford says he’s thinking about recording a black metal album too. “It might be rubbish,” he says. “But you don’t know until you try.”
Q
You’ve been on the road with Ozzy Osbourne. How has that been? There’s never been any rivalry between you two, right?
A
No, and I think that’s the spirit that comes out of Birmingham (England), where both Judas Priest and Black Sabbath originated. Our bands started almost at the same time and our paths have crossed many times over the years. We’re really good friends.
Q
Is there a lot of sitting around talking about the old days? You don’t seem like the kind of person who talks about the past a lot.
A
No, I’m very much about now and the future. That’s probably what drives me. There’s a joke we have in the music business: When we’re onstage, it’s like we’re at the office. For everybody else, it’s party time. Both Ozzy and myself are busy up until our respective showtimes.
Q
What else would you have done with your life, if you weren’t doing this? Do you ever look at a doctor or a dentist and think, “That would have been a nice life”?
A
I don’t have my Spinal Tap moment, where the guy (dreams about working at a hat shop). I always say that if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I would be connected in some way to entertainment. I’ve always liked to be in an environment where I’m sharing a lot of stuff. And that’s the thing about being a musician. You’re sharing a lot of things when you’re performing or recording. My life is (part of the life of ) millions of other people’s.
Q
And they must feel like they’re in yours. Can you lead a normal life, go where you want to?
A
I call it “famosity,” this being in the public arena. It’s tremendously exciting and rewarding but sometimes you have to give up … your privacy. Fortunately, I’m not in that league. I don’t particularly ever want to be. I need to be able to go shopping, to push my cart around the (supermarket).
Q
What’s the most unmetal thing you do on a daily basis? Do you knit? Wear slippers? Watch the Discovery Channel?
A
Oh, yeah, I do all that. I love to read. I’m a DVD box set freak. I’m watching “Breaking Bad” right now. Before that I did “The Tudors,” and I’m doing “Weeds.”
Q
So you’re not living in a castle with a moat somewhere, reading Aleister Crowley?
A
(Laughs) No. I think that’s Jimmy Page.
Q
You also released a Christmas album a few years ago. How did people take it?
A
Well, I think initially a lot of people were confused. … For me personally, it was something that was maybe a little self-indulgent. I love the holidays. My spiritual faith is very important to me. I love those songs, and I just wanted to see what would happen if I went into that world.
Q
When you were in the studio recording, say, “O Holy Night,” was there a moment when you were thinking, “I can’t believe I’m doing this”? Or did it feel very natural?
A
No, it was a very exhilarating, very uplifting, very powerful moment for me. I was told to make sure I was singing in tune.
Q
You go back and forth between releasing albums with Judas Priest and with Halford. One must give you something you can’t get from the other.
A
I think so, yes. … It’s like asking a painter to paint in one color (otherwise). If you want to be Angus from AC/DC and do that, that’s wonderful. But I think that there are many of us who want to see what else is out there.
Q
When you’re doing one, do you miss the other?
A
Oh, yes.
Q
You sound more relaxed on “Made of Metal” than you ever have. Do you think you’re finally where you want to be?
A
Yeah. I’m very content, but searching. I’m content but searching.
Q
You’re going to be 60 next year. Do you feel your age?
A
I do when I wake up in the morning. I can’t leap out of bed like I used to. But I’m grateful when I open my eyes every morning, because I know there’s another day of metal ahead.
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.
Price: $33 (17+); livenation.com
