Judas Priest

Formed in Birmingham in the early 1970s, Judas Priest is part of the British hard rock wave that evolved into heavy metal. The band, built around bassist Ian Hill and guitarist K.K. Downing—soon joined by Glenn Tipton and then singer Rob Halford—developed a style based on twin melodic guitars, cutting riffs and a distinctive high-pitched vocal. After beginnings in the late 1960s and a first album, Rocka Rolla (1974), Judas Priest defined itself with Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) and then released progressively more direct heavy metal records from British Steel (1980) and Screaming for Vengeance (1982), establishing a sonic and visual aesthetic of leather, metal and industrial imagery. The 1980s and the album Painkiller (1990) hardened their approach further with tempos approaching speed metal, while the 1990s were marked by Rob Halford’s departure and later return. Judas Priest continued into the 21st century with Angel of Retribution (2005), Redeemer of Souls (2014) and Firepower (2018), incorporating guitarist Richie Faulkner among others, and remains associated with major international rock and metal stages—from early English clubs to worldwide tours.