Origin: Birmingham, England  
Genres: 70's Metal, Traditional Metal
Official Site Facebook Twitter YouTube
Last update/review: March 17, 2018

Judas Priest

If Black Sabbath is the number one most influential band in heavy metal, Judas Priest may well be number two. During their formative years in the seventies, the band recorded four albums (Sad Wings Of Destiny through Hell Bent For Leather) that, in addition to being brilliant albums in their own right (indeed, Stained Class is the BNR pick for the best metal album of all time), singlehandedly defined the style of metal for the next decade and beyond. By the 80's the band was riding high, and slightly shifted direction, to a somewhat more mainstream sound that payed off as Screaming For Vengeance and Defenders Of The Faith rank as their most popular albums ever. Their next couple of albums faltered a bit, but they rebounded with the excellent Painkiller album, an album which signalled the end of the Halford era, the vocalist departing to pursue various other interests.

Seven years later, a new Judas Priest was born, with a new logo, a new vocalist (Tim "Ripper" Owens), a new record label, a new sound, and a new album. Jugulator is very much a 90's metal album, heavier and more stripped-down than in the past (certainly sounding nothing like their 70's work, though some of it sounds vaguely Painkiller-ish). The album sharply divided fans, many who embraced the new style and several who did not. But the followup, Demolition, failed to generate any interest at all, the band, even with Owens excelling on vocals, sounding tired and out of ideas.

With Halford's career back on track with his new band Halford, and Judas Priest's in somewhat of a decline, it seemed inevitable that Halford would rejoin Priest eventually, even as the parties involved denied entertaining the possibility. And rejoin he did, in July of 2003, agreeing to a tour and a new album to mark their 30th anniversary in the business. And at long last, the much-anticipated new album, Angel Of Retribution, was released in 2005. An album deserving of the hallowed Priest name, Angel saw Halford in his typical fine form, and the reunion of Rob with guitarists Glenn and K.K. was welcomed by fans the world over. Clearly one of the best comeback albums in some time, and a no-brainer for Internet Top Ten album honors.

2008 saw the release of Judas Priest's first concept album, the ambitious 2-CD album Nostradamus. Since then the band has announced that their 2011 (and beyond) tour will their last. However, that tour will not include guitarist K.K. Downing, who somewhat surprisingly announced his retirement in April. A replacement, in the form of former Deeds guitarist Richie Faulkner, will take the place of Downing on said tour.

Recent album: Invincible Shield, released on March 8, 2024.

Current Members

Rob Halford

vocals (ex-Fight, ex-Halford, ex-Two)

Glenn Tipton

guitars

Richie Faulkner

guitars (ex-Deeds, Elegant Weapons)

Ian Hill

bass

Scott Travis

drums (ex-Elegant Weapons, ex-Fight, ex-Hawk, ex-Racer X)

Former Members/Guests

Tim Owens

vocals (Beyond Fear, Charred Walls Of The Damned, ex-Iced Earth, KK's Priest, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Tourniquet, ex-The Three Tremors, ex-Winters Bane)

K.K. Downing

guitars (KK's Priest)

John Hinch

drums RIP: April 29, 2021, age 73

Alan Moore

drums

Simon Phillips

drums (Michael Schenker Group)

Les Binks

drums (ex-KK's Priest, ex-Tytan)

Dave Holland

drums RIP: January 16, 2018, age 69



Discography



Rocka Rolla  
1974 Gull
  1. One For The Road
  2. Rocka Rolla
  3. Winter
  4. Deep Freeze
  5. Winter Retreat
  6. Cheater
  7. Never Satisfied
  8. Run Of The Mill
  9. Dying To Meet You
  10. Caviar And Meths
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • John Hinch



Sad Wings Of Destiny  
1976 Gull
  1. Victim Of Changes
  2. The Ripper
  3. Dreamer Deceiver
  4. Deceiver
  5. Prelude
  6. Tyrant
  7. Genocide
  8. Epitaph
  9. Island Of Domination
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Alan Moore
1976 Readers' Album #2





Sin After Sin  
1977 CBS
  1. Sinner
  2. Diamonds And Rust
  3. Starbreaker
  4. Last Rose of Summer
  5. Let Us Prey/Call For The Priest
  6. Raw Deal
  7. Here Come The Tears
  8. Dissident Aggressor
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Simon Phillips
1977 Readers' Album #1





The Best Of Judas Priest  COMPILATION
1977



Stained Class  
1978 CBS
  1. Exciter
  2. White Heat, Red Hot
  3. Better By You Better Than Me
  4. Stained Class
  5. Invader
  6. Saints In Hell
  7. Savage
  8. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  9. Heroes End
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Les Binks
1978 Readers' Album #1





Hell Bent For Leather  
1978 CBS
  1. Delivering The Goods
  2. Rock Forever
  3. Evening Star
  4. Hell Bent For Leather
  5. Take On The World
  6. Burnin' Up
  7. The Green Manalishi
  8. Killing Machine
  9. Running Wild
  10. Before The Dawn
  11. Evil Fantasies
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Les Binks




Unleashed In The East  LIVE
1979 CBS
  1. Exciter
  2. Running Wild
  3. Sinner
  4. The Ripper
  5. The Green Manalishi
  6. Diamonds And Rust
  7. Victim Of Changes
  8. Genocide
  9. Tyrant
  10. Rock Forever
  11. Delivering The Goods
  12. Hell Bent For Leather
  13. Starbreaker
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Les Binks
1979 Readers' Album #3





British Steel  
1980 CBS
  1. Breaking The Law
  2. Rapid Fire
  3. Metal Gods
  4. Grinder
  5. United
  6. Living After Midnight
  7. You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise
  8. The Rage
  9. Steeler
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland
1980 Readers' Album #2





Hero, Hero  COMPILATION
1981



Point Of Entry  
1981 CBS
  1. Heading Out To The Highway
  2. Don't Go
  3. Hot Rockin'
  4. Turning Circles
  5. Desert Plains
  6. Solar Angels
  7. You Say Yes
  8. All The Way
  9. Troubleshooter
  10. On The Run
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland
1981 Readers' Album #7




Screaming For Vengeance  
1982 CBS
  1. The Hellion
  2. Electric Eye
  3. Riding On The Wind
  4. Bloodstone
  5. (Take These) Chains
  6. Pain And Pleasure
  7. Screaming For Vengeance
  8. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
  9. Fever
  10. Devil's Child
  11. Prisoner of Your Eyes (bonus)
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland
1982 Readers' Album #2




World Tour '82  COMPILATION
1982



Judas Priest  COMPILATION
1983



Defenders Of The Faith  
1984 CBS
  1. Freewheel Burning
  2. Jawbreaker
  3. Rock Hard Ride Free
  4. The Sentinel
  5. Love Bites
  6. Eat Me Alive
  7. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
  8. Night Comes Down
  9. Heavy Duty
  10. Defenders Of The Faith
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland
1984 Readers' Album #4




Screaming '84  COMPILATION
1984



Turbo  
1986 CBS
  1. Turbo Lover
  2. Locked In
  3. Private Property
  4. Parental Guidance
  5. Rock You All Around The World
  6. Out In The Cold
  7. Wild Nights. Hot And Crazy Days
  8. Hot For Love
  9. Reckless
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland



Priest ... Live!  LIVE
1987 CBS
  1. Out in the Cold
  2. Heading Out to the Highway
  3. Metal Gods
  4. Breaking the Law
  5. Love Bites
  6. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
  7. The Sentinel
  8. Private Property
  9. Rock You All Around the World
  10. Electric Eye
  11. Turbo Lover
  12. Freewheel Burning
  13. Parental Guidance
  14. Living After Midnight
  15. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland



Beyond Metal  COMPILATION
1987



Ram It Down  
1988 CBS
  1. Ram It Down
  2. Heavy Metal
  3. Love Zone
  4. Come And Get It
  5. Hard As Iron
  6. Blood Red Skies
  7. I'm A Rocker
  8. Johnny B. Goode
  9. Love You To Death
  10. Monsters Of Rock
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Dave Holland



Delivering The Goods  COMPILATION
1988



Painkiller  
1990 CBS
  1. Painkiller
  2. Hell Patrol
  3. All Guns Blazing
  4. Leather Rebel
  5. Metal Meltdown
  6. Night Crawler
  7. Between The Hammer & The Anvil
  8. A Touch Of Evil
  9. Battle Hymn
  10. One Shot At Glory
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
1990 Readers' Album #4




Metal Works 73-93  COMPILATION
1993 Sony
  1. The Hellion
  2. Electric Eye
  3. Victim Of Changes
  4. Painkiller
  5. Eat Me Alive
  6. Devil's Child
  7. Dissident Aggressor
  8. Delivering The Goods
  9. Exciter
  10. Breaking The Law
  11. Hell Bent For Leather
  12. Blood Red Skies
  13. Metal Gods
  14. Before The Dawn
  15. Turbo Lover
  16. Ram It Down
  17. Metal Meltdown
  18. Screaming For Vengeance
  19. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
  20. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  21. Solar Angels
  22. Bloodstone
  23. Desert Plains
  24. Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days
  25. Heading Out To The Highway
  26. Living After Midnight
  27. A Touch Of Evil
  28. The Rage
  29. Night Comes Down
  30. Sinner
  31. Freewheel Burning
  32. Night Crawler



Jugulator  
1997 CMC
  1. Jugulator
  2. Blood Stained
  3. Dead Meat
  4. Death Row
  5. Decapitate
  6. Burn In Hell
  7. Brain Dead
  8. Abductors
  9. Bullet Train
  10. Cathedral Spires
  • Tim Owens
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
1997 Readers' Album #3




98 Live Meltdown  LIVE
1998 CMC
  • Tim Owens
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
1998 Readers' Album #31




Demolition  
2001 Atlantic
  1. Machine Man
  2. One On One
  3. Hell Is Home
  4. Feed On Me
  5. Jekyll And Hyde
  6. Devil Digger
  7. Close To You
  8. Subterfuge
  9. Metal Messiah
  10. Cyberface
  11. Bloodsuckers
  12. In Between
  13. Lost And Found
  • Tim Owens
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis



British Steel  VIDEO
2001 Eagle



Live In London  LIVE
2003 Steamhammer/SPV
  1. Metal Gods
  2. Heading Out To The Highway
  3. Grinder
  4. Touch Of Evil
  5. Blood Stained
  6. Victim Of Changes
  7. The Sentinel
  8. One On One
  9. Running Wild
  10. Ripper
  11. Diamonds & Rust
  12. Feed On Me
  13. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown)
  14. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  15. Burn In Hell
  16. Hell Is Home
  17. Breaking The Law
  18. Desert Plains
  19. You've Got Another Thing Coming
  20. Turbo Lover
  21. Painkiller
  22. Hellion-Electric Eye
  23. United
  24. Living After Midnight
  25. Hell Bent For Leather
  • Tim Owens
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2003 Readers' Album #39




Live In London  VIDEO
2003



Electric Eye  VIDEO
2003 Sony



Angel Of Retribution  
2005 Sony
  1. Judas Rising
  2. Deal With The Devil
  3. Revolution
  4. Worth Fighting For
  5. Demonizer
  6. Wheels Of Fire
  7. Angel
  8. Hellrider
  9. Eulogy
  10. Loch Ness
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2005 Readers' Album #3




Rising In The East  VIDEO
2005 Rhino



Live Vengeance '82  VIDEO
2006 Sony



Nostradamus  
2008 Columbia
  1. Dawn of Creation
  2. Prophecy
  3. Awakening
  4. Revelations
  5. The Four Horsemen
  6. War
  7. Sands of Time
  8. Pestilence and Plague
  9. Death
  10. Peace
  11. Conquest
  12. Lost Love
  13. Persecution
  14. Solitude
  15. Exiled
  16. Alone
  17. Shadows in the Flame
  18. Visions
  19. Hope
  20. New Beginnings
  21. Calm Before the Storm
  22. Nostradamus
  23. Future of Mankind
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2008 Readers' Album #6




A Touch Of Evil - Live  LIVE
2009 Columbia
  1. Judas Rising
  2. Hellrider
  3. Between The Hammer And The Anvil
  4. Riding On The Wind
  5. Death
  6. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  7. Dissident Aggressor
  8. A Touch Of Evil
  9. Eat Me Alive
  10. Prophecy
  11. Painkiller
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • K.K. Downing
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2009 Readers' Album #30




The Chosen Few  COMPILATION
2011 Sony
  1. Diamonds And Rust
  2. Dissident Aggressor
  3. Exciter
  4. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  5. Delivering The Goods
  6. The Green Manalishi (with the Two-Pronged Crown)
  7. The Ripper
  8. Victim Of Changes
  9. Breaking The Law
  10. Rapid Fire
  11. Grinder
  12. Living After Midnight
  13. Screaming For Vengeance
  14. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
  15. The Sentinel
  16. Turbo Lover
  17. Painkiller



Epitaph  VIDEO
2013 Legacy



Redeemer Of Souls  
2014 Columbia
  1. Dragonaut
  2. Redeemer Of Souls
  3. Halls Of Valhalla
  4. Sword Of Damocles
  5. March Of The Damned
  6. Down In Flames
  7. Hell & Back
  8. Cold Blooded
  9. Metalizer
  10. Crossfire
  11. Secrets Of The Dead
  12. Battle Cry
  13. Beginning Of The End
  14. Snakebite (bonus)
  15. Tears Of Blood (bonus)
  16. Creatures (bonus)
  17. Bring It On (bonus)
  18. Never Forget (bonus)
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • Richie Faulkner
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2014 Readers' Album #3




Battle Cry  LIVE
2016 Epic
  1. (Intro) Battle Cry
  2. Dragonaut
  3. Metal Gods
  4. Devil's Child
  5. Victim Of Changes
  6. Halls Of Valhalla
  7. Redeemer Of Souls
  8. Beyond The Realms Of Death
  9. Jawbreaker
  10. Breaking The Law
  11. Hell Bent For Leather
  12. The Hellion
  13. Electric Eye
  14. You've Got Another Thing Coming
  15. Painkiller
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • Richie Faulkner
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2016 Readers' Album #32




Firepower  
2018 Epic
  1. Firepower
  2. Lightning Strike
  3. Evil Never Dies
  4. Never The Heroes
  5. Necromancer
  6. Children of the Sun
  7. Guardians
  8. Rising From Ruins
  9. Flame Thrower
  10. Spectre
  11. Traitors Gate
  12. No Surrender
  13. Lone Wolf
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • Richie Faulkner
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
2018 Readers' Album #1




Invincible Shield  
2024 Sony
  1. Panic Attack
  2. The Serpent and the King
  3. Invincible Shield
  4. Devil in Disguise
  5. Gates of Hell
  6. Crown of Horns
  7. As God Is My Witness
  8. Trial by Fire
  9. Escape from Reality
  10. Sons of Thunder
  11. Giants in the Sky
  12. Sea Of Red
  • Rob Halford
  • Glenn Tipton
  • Richie Faulkner
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis




Copyright © 1995-2024 BNR Productions