When the power chords come crashing down - Its the Priest

The mighty Judas Preist, one of the best, loudest and most consistent bands in metal-dom...I've only seen them once, on the Turbo tour,  when it trundled through Sydney, but, I do have a major liking for the tunes that the boys have banged out over the decades....

"PROPHECY"

Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, They had flares and floppy hats and looked nothing like they do now...first time I saw Halford , he had long hair, a flowery kaftan and purple velvet flares...AND people thought he was gay cause he wore S&M gear ??...go figure

 Known for Tipton and Downings twin lead guitars, Halfords operatic vocal style, and for introducing the leather-and-studs look into heavy metal, they have sold well over 50 million albums worldwide.....

The band's membership has seen much turnover, including a Spinal Tap long list of revolving drummers in the 1970s, and the temporary resignation of singer Rob Halford in the early 1990s

The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. In 2010, the band announced a farewell world tour, and a new album is expected to be released sometime in 2013.

The Ridiculous Subliminal message trial or as I call it

 THE I DON'T WANT TO BE A PARENT AND BLAME EVERYONE FOR THIS TRAGEDY FKN TRIAL

Remember this, has to be one of the most stupidest things I'd ever heard alledged against anybody in music, but especially heavy metal bands...I mean to say, Ozzy has copped it , but this was just plain ridiculous...

In the summer of 1990, the band was involved in a civil action that alleged they were responsible for the self-inflicted gunshot wounds in 1985 of 20-year-old James Vance and 18-year-old Raymond Belknap in Sparks, Nevada, USA. (note: it took 'em five years to figure out who to try and blame)

anyway, On 23 December 1985, Vance and Belknap, after hours of drinking beer, smoking marijuana and allegedly listening to Judas Priest, went to a playground at a church in Sparks with a 12-gauge shotgun to end their lives. Belknap was the first to place the shotgun under his chin. He died instantly after pulling the trigger. Vance then shot himself but survived, suffering severe facial injuries. Following numerous complications, Vance too passed away three years after the shooting.

The men's parents and their legal team alleged that a subliminal message of "do it" had been included in the Judas Priest song "Better By You, Better Than Me" from the Stained Class album (actually a cover of a Spooky Tooth number). They alleged the command in the song triggered the suicide attempt. The trial lasted from 16 July to 24 August 1990, when the suit was dismissed...a classic example of NON - Parenting at its finest...Halford said after that if he was going to put a "subliminal message..It would be BUY 10 COPIES OF THIS ALBUM"

Halford leaves (1991-1992)

After the end of the Painkiller tour in 1991, Halford left Judas Priest. In September 1991, there were indications of internal tensions within the band. Halford went on to form a street-style thrash metal group named Fight with Scott Travis on drums for the recording sessions. He formed this band due to his desire to explore new musical territory, but due to contractual obligations, he left Judas Priest in May 1992.

Halford worked with the other Judas Priest members to produce the awesome compilation album entitled Metal Works '73-'93 to commemorate their 20th anniversary. He also appeared in a video by the same title, documenting their history, in which his departure from the band was officially announced later that year.

Rocka Rolla 

(OGWT)

In a 1998 interview on MTV, Halford also revealed his homosexuality, but it came as little surprise to fans and to Halford's bandmates, who had previously known and been supportive yet were reluctant to let him come out in previous years in order to protect the image of him and the band.

Ripper Owens (1996-2003)

Tim "Ripper" Owens, who had previously sung in a Judas Priest tribute band called British Steel, was hired in 1996 as Judas Priest's new singer. This lineup released two albums, Jugulator and Demolition, as well as two live double-albums – '98 Live Meltdown and Live in London, the latter of which had a live DVD counterpart.

Although Jugulator sold relatively well, it was given mixed reviews, solely I believe due to Rob not singing on it, although it contains the epic "Cathedral Spires" which became one of Ripper's more popular songs. Demolition (2001) was generally considered another disappointment, although holding some memorable tracks, I personally dig it , I like Rippers voice and have since got myself some Iced Earth stuff that he has sung on

Downing's retirement and Farewell Epitaph World Tour (2010-present)

Judas Priest announced on 7 December 2010, that their Epitaph World Tour would be the band's farewell tour. It should run up until 2012.

 In a January 2011 interview, Rob Halford said about the band's impending retirement that:
"I think it's time, you know. We're not the first band to say farewell, it's just the way everyone comes to at some point and we're gonna say a few more things early next year, so I think the main thing that we just want to ask everybody to consider is don't be sad about this, start celebrating and rejoicing over all the great things we've done in Judas Priest.

Judas Priest on stage in 2011
On 27 January 2011, it was announced that Judas Priest was in the process of writing new material,  the band also clarified their plans for the future, saying that "...this is by no means the end of the band. In fact, we are presently writing new material, but we do intend this to be the last major world tour."Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles on May, 26, of the new material Glenn Tipton said: "It's quite a mixed bag. Really, there's more sentiment on this album. In a way, I suppose, it's also our farewell album, although it might not be our last one. There are some anthems on there, which pay tribute to our fans".

"TAKE ON THE WORLD"

On 20 April 2011, it was announced that K. K. Downing had retired from the band and would not complete the Epitaph World Tour. Downing cited differences with the band and management and a breakdown in their relationship. Richie Faulkner, guitarist for Lauren Harris's band, was announced as his replacement for the Epitaph World Tour.

 Downing's retirement leaves bassist Ian Hill as the only remaining founding member of the band.
On 25 May 2011, Judas Priest played during the finale of American Idol season 10 with James Durbin, making it their first live performance without K.K. Downing. The band played a mixture of two songs: "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law".

In an 2011 interview with Billboard, Halford explained that he and Tipton "have about 12 or 14 tracks completely mapped out" for a new studio album. He went on to say that four of those were already recorded and mixed, and suggested a new album should be out in 2012.

Studio albums

Rocka Rolla (1974) Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

Sin After Sin (1977)

Stained Class (1978)  Killing Machine / Hell Bent for Leather (1978)

British Steel (1980)

Point of Entry (1981) Screaming for Vengeance (1982)

Defenders of the Faith (1984)

Turbo (1986)  Ram It Down (1988)

Painkiller (1990)

Jugulator (1997)  Demolition (2001)

Angel of Retribution (2005) Nostradamus (2008)

And Just in case your wondering which JP tune I rate above them all...well, strangely enough I do have a actual favourite...and that tune would be ....PROPHECY, yeh, you probably thought I was gonna say Johnny B Good, but nup, its Prophecy alright, get into it , tis the grouse

So there you go...have a rockin day