Judas Priest is one of the most influential
heavy metal bands of the 1970’s and they are most
known for pioneering the dual riff guitar sound in classic
heavy metal music. The band formed in 1970 in Birmingham,
England and had a fairly long period of playing the underground
metal scene. For more than 4 years, Judas Priest played
these clubs hoping for a break and in 1974 they finally
got signed to the independent label, Gull and recorded
their debut album, Rocka Rolla. The album did not do well
and got little attention, but Judas Priest was able to
survive that demise because of their strong live performances.
Their second release, Sad Wings of Destiny, floundered
the same way their first album had and things were beginning
to look dim for the hard core rockers. That is when CBS
Records came on board and the band remedied their track
record by releasing Sin After Sin in 1977. The record
received great reviews and opened the way for the group
to tour US.
Bound in leather and ready to rock the US, Judas Priest
began their tour and opened the door for the 80’s
rock revolution. Over the next decade the band continued
to release albums, many of which went platinum in both
the US and UK and they managed to be one of the driving
influences of the heavy metal genre. The band managed
to keep it together until 1991 when internal tensions
between the band drove them apart. The many fans they
acquired along the way felt that the groundbreaking
rock band was over. For 12 years, Judas Priest stayed
apart pursuing solo careers or playing with other bands.
But in July of 2003, lead singer, Rob Halford announced
that the band was getting back together and they toured
for almost all of 2004. They released a new album shortly
after their tour, Angel of Retribution, and the waiting
public loved it.
Currently, Judas Priest is still together and tours
with the annual summer concert series, Ozzfest. They
are gearing up for another world tour and Judas Priest
concert tickets will be in high demand. With their influence
echoing in all forms of heavy metal music and the ability
to overcome their differences, it is quite possible
that the best is yet to come.
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