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.

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Discography

Studio Live Compilation Video

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