Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford is to undergo hernia surgery before the group's upcoming world tour.

The rocker is keen to get himself fixed and healthy before the band hits the road to promote new album Redeemer of Souls.

He tells ABC News Radio, "It looks like the alien just burst forth! My doctors always said, 'We can take care of it', and I said, 'I’ll get around to it'... It’s not very appealing to look at."

Halford, who underwent back surgery last year (13), insists he isn't experiencing any pain, adding, "That’s life. The wonderful thing about heavy metal music is that it’s immortal. The music is immortal, but the creators are not bestowed with that attribute.”