In a conversation with Dean Delray’s “Let There Be Talk” podcast, Rob Halford talked about his vocals, saying he would like to be able singing ”Painkiller” like he used to sing back in 1991.
He said:
“I just go out and do it. And as I’ve been doing this now for 50-odd years, I really have to save my voice; I have to make sure that it’s got the strength. ‘Cause when you’re drinking, that’s the worst thing for your voice, especially when you’re a doing a show. How the hell did I get through those shows [before I got sober]?
“Yeah, I’ve been using these pipes for 50 years, and I’m trying to get the most out of them,” he continued. “I’ve had to make some adjustments. I wish I could sing ‘Painkiller’ like I did in ’91, but I can’t. But I can have a good go. I can give it a good thrashing and a good whack. But even now, after I’ve done ‘Painkiller’ and I finish the song on the stage and the crowd is roaring, I’m going, ‘Could have done better. That note wasn’t quite there.’