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==Musical style and influences==
==Musical style and influences==


[[Image:Judas_priest_2004.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Judas Priest]]One of the originators of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], and one of the few pure, or classic [[heavy metal]] bands, Judas Priest are best known for their two-[[lead guitar|lead]]-[[Electric guitar|guitar]] sound and are particularly noted for the complex guitar duets of [[K.K. Downing]] and [[Glenn Tipton]], [[Rob Halford]]'s high-pitched screams, and lead [[singing|vocals]]. However, the band's biggest musical innovation is the dual 'rhythm guitar', i.e. the accompainment, which plays an essential role in all [[hard rock]] genres and especially in [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. Although [[Wishbone Ash]], [[Thin Lizzy]] and [[the Scorpions]] have had two guitarists each and to some extent did play harmonies and dual leads, none had played dual rhythm consistently as an integral part of thier music. Dual Rhythm consists in two guitarists playing the same exact melody simultanously. There may be minor differences in sound, tone, tenacity, and an occasional deviation from the melody for a very short period. Since Judas Priest introduced this new style of rhythm guitar with their first release "[[Rocka Rolla]]", it has become a standard feature of Heavy Metal.
[[Image:Judas_priest_2004.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Judas Priest]]One of the originators of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], and one of the few pure, or classic, [[heavy metal]] bands, Judas Priest are best known for their two-[[lead guitar|lead]]-[[Electric guitar|guitar]] sound and are particularly noted for the complex guitar duets of [[K.K. Downing]] and [[Glenn Tipton]], [[Rob Halford]]'s high-pitched screams, and lead [[singing|vocals]]. However, the band's biggest musical innovation is the dual 'rhythm guitar', i.e. the accompainment, which plays an essential role in all [[hard rock]] genres and especially in [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. Although [[Wishbone Ash]], [[Thin Lizzy]] and [[the Scorpions]] have had two guitarists each and to some extent did play harmonies and dual leads, none had played dual rhythm consistently as an integral part of thier music. Dual Rhythm consists in two guitarists playing the same exact melody simultanously. There may be minor differences in sound, tone, tenacity, and an occasional deviation from the melody for a very short period. Since Judas Priest introduced this new style of rhythm guitar with their first release "[[Rocka Rolla]]", it has become a standard feature of Heavy Metal.
Many people, including influential musicians and members of prominent [[hard rock]] and [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands believe that the foundation for what would define "pure" heavy metal were three early Judas Priest albums; [[Sad Wings Of Destiny]] (1976), [[Sin After Sin]](1977), and [[Stained Class]](1978).
Many people, including influential musicians and members of prominent [[hard rock]] and [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands believe that the foundation for what would define "pure" heavy metal were three early Judas Priest albums; [[Sad Wings Of Destiny]] (1976), [[Sin After Sin]](1977), and [[Stained Class]](1978).
The band played louder and faster than most rock groups at the time and brought a more "metallic" sound to their guitars. The songs varied from extremely simple and straightforward tunes (eg. - "The Ripper", "One For The Road", "Starbreaker") to fairly structured, changing from fast and loud to slower tempo and softer tunes in one song (eg.- "Victim Of Cahnges", "Run Of The Mill", "Beyond The realms Of Death").
The band played louder and faster than most rock groups at the time and brought a more "metallic" sound to their guitars. The songs varied from extremely simple and straightforward tunes (eg. - "The Ripper", "One For The Road", "Starbreaker") to fairly structured, changing from fast and loud to slower tempo and softer tunes in one song (eg.- "Victim Of Cahnges", "Run Of The Mill", "Beyond The realms Of Death").
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==History==
==History==


K.K. (Kenneth Keith) Downing and Ian Hill knew each other since an early age, as they attended tha same kindergarten and school. Their friendship drew closer in their early teens as they shared similar musical interests and both started to learn playing an instrument. IN 1970 a fairly well known local ensemble named Judas Priest (after [[Bob Dylan]]' song "The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest) broke up and the band's singer Alan Atkins approached Downing and Hill who accepted him as their singer and adopted his former band's name. With Downing in control, the band moved swiftly from their original bluesy tunes towards what later would be defined as heavy metal. This trio, going through various drummer changes, continued extensive touring of Birmingham and the surrounding areas, sometimes supporting [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Trapeze (band)|Trapeze]] until 1972. Fiscal difficulties and problems with thier management, [[Tony Iommi]]'s IMA, lead to Alan Atkins departure.
K.K. (Kenneth Keith) Downing and Ian Hill knew each other since an early age, as they attended the same kindergarten and school. Their friendship drew closer in their early teens as they shared similar musical interests and both started to learn playing an instrument. IN 1970 a fairly well known local ensemble named Judas Priest (after [[Bob Dylan]]' song "The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest) broke up and the band's singer Alan Atkins approached Downing and Hill who accepted him as their singer and adopted his former band's name. With Downing in control, the band moved swiftly from their original bluesy tunes towards what later would be defined as heavy metal. This trio, going through various drummer changes, continued extensive touring of Birmingham and the surrounding areas, sometimes supporting [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Trapeze (band)|Trapeze]] until 1972. Fiscal difficulties and problems with thier management, [[Tony Iommi]]'s IMA, lead to Alan Atkins departure.
At the time, Ian Hill was courtesing a girl who suggested her brother, Robert Halford as singer. Halford was accepted in the band, and brought with him drummer John Hinch from his previous band Hiroshima.
At the time, Ian Hill was courtesing a girl who suggested her brother, Robert Halford as singer. Halford was accepted in the band, and brought with him drummer John Hinch from his previous band Hiroshima.
Before the band enterd the studio to record their first album, the record company suggested another musician should join them. Reluctant to add an organ or trumpet player, Downing settled down on a guitarist - Flying Hat Band's Glenn Tipton joined Judas Priest. According to the band, there were some technical malfunctions during recording but the record company refused to address those problems, and their debut album "Rocka Rolla" suffered of "horrible" sound quality.
Before the band enterd the studio to record their first album, the record company suggested another musician should join them. Reluctant to add an organ or trumpet player, Downing settled down on a guitarist - Flying Hat Band's Glenn Tipton joined Judas Priest. According to the band, there were some technical malfunctions during recording but the record company refused to address those problems, and their debut album "Rocka Rolla" suffered of "horrible" sound quality.

Revision as of 05:27, 26 April 2005

Judas Priest is an immensely influential heavy metal band formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England. Often called just Priest, the band's classic line-up consists of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, and Ian Hill on bass guitar.

Musical style and influences

File:Judas priest 2004.jpg
Judas Priest

One of the originators of heavy metal, and one of the few pure, or classic, heavy metal bands, Judas Priest are best known for their two-lead-guitar sound and are particularly noted for the complex guitar duets of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, Rob Halford's high-pitched screams, and lead vocals. However, the band's biggest musical innovation is the dual 'rhythm guitar', i.e. the accompainment, which plays an essential role in all hard rock genres and especially in heavy metal. Although Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy and the Scorpions have had two guitarists each and to some extent did play harmonies and dual leads, none had played dual rhythm consistently as an integral part of thier music. Dual Rhythm consists in two guitarists playing the same exact melody simultanously. There may be minor differences in sound, tone, tenacity, and an occasional deviation from the melody for a very short period. Since Judas Priest introduced this new style of rhythm guitar with their first release "Rocka Rolla", it has become a standard feature of Heavy Metal.

Many people, including influential musicians and members of prominent hard rock and heavy metal bands believe that the foundation for what would define "pure" heavy metal were three early Judas Priest albums; Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976), Sin After Sin(1977), and Stained Class(1978). The band played louder and faster than most rock groups at the time and brought a more "metallic" sound to their guitars. The songs varied from extremely simple and straightforward tunes (eg. - "The Ripper", "One For The Road", "Starbreaker") to fairly structured, changing from fast and loud to slower tempo and softer tunes in one song (eg.- "Victim Of Cahnges", "Run Of The Mill", "Beyond The realms Of Death"). Their 1978 album "Killing Machine" (entitled "Hell Bent For Leather" and released in 1979 in the USA) saw a slight change of direction towards shorter, more "poppy" or "americanized" songs, especially lyrically. The following release, British Steel took an even sharper turn in the same direction, and was perhaps the first heavy metal album to record radio-friendly songs with pop hooks, in a concise format, pioneering an approach used by many others (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Twisted Sister, Accept, Def Leppard) to taste commercial success. However, priest are perhaps the only band who retained a definite heavy metal sound, with all the aggressiveness and brutality despite the commercial twist to it. Their next effort, Point Of Entry was hard to define. The sound was very "raw" (minimal sound manipulation), the songs were at a slower than usual tempo. Subsequent albums, especially "Defenders Of The Faith" (1984) and "Painkiller" (1990) set standards and influenced the shape of heavy metal. Their last release, "angel Of Retribution" (2005) also contributed to the current revival of heavy metal, after the fade of grunge, alternative, thrash, indie and other temporary trends. Judas Priest have influenced countless musicians in three musical generations, both in sound, technique and image, and are still active.

History

K.K. (Kenneth Keith) Downing and Ian Hill knew each other since an early age, as they attended the same kindergarten and school. Their friendship drew closer in their early teens as they shared similar musical interests and both started to learn playing an instrument. IN 1970 a fairly well known local ensemble named Judas Priest (after Bob Dylan' song "The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest) broke up and the band's singer Alan Atkins approached Downing and Hill who accepted him as their singer and adopted his former band's name. With Downing in control, the band moved swiftly from their original bluesy tunes towards what later would be defined as heavy metal. This trio, going through various drummer changes, continued extensive touring of Birmingham and the surrounding areas, sometimes supporting Thin Lizzy, Trapeze until 1972. Fiscal difficulties and problems with thier management, Tony Iommi's IMA, lead to Alan Atkins departure. At the time, Ian Hill was courtesing a girl who suggested her brother, Robert Halford as singer. Halford was accepted in the band, and brought with him drummer John Hinch from his previous band Hiroshima. Before the band enterd the studio to record their first album, the record company suggested another musician should join them. Reluctant to add an organ or trumpet player, Downing settled down on a guitarist - Flying Hat Band's Glenn Tipton joined Judas Priest. According to the band, there were some technical malfunctions during recording but the record company refused to address those problems, and their debut album "Rocka Rolla" suffered of "horrible" sound quality. With their next album the band had gained some more experience and confidence, fully participating in the production, as well as chosing the producers. The result was "[[Sad Wings Of Destiny"(1976), considered as acornerstone of heavy metal. Judas Priest recorded twelve studio and two concert albums to different degrees of critical and financial success. Overall, the band has sold in excess of 35 million albums globally.

Halford left the band in the 1990s and was replaced by Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who haspreviously sung in a Judas Priest tribute band. These events were the inspiration for the film Rock Star, although Owens did not actually participate in the production of the movie.

This line up released two albums, "Jugulator" and "Demolition". Critics and fans alike accused of "selling out" - following the current trends of thrash metal and grunge. Although most bands receiving similar accusations do not neccessarily suffer lower sales, people look at Priest as setters of trends, not followers. The band vehemnetly denied following any trends, claiming that they were jsut sounding up to date.

After approximately twelve years apart, Judas Priest and original lead vocalist Rob Halford announced their reunion in July 2003. They immediatly emabrked on a live concert tour in 2004, and co-headlined the Ozzfest in 2004, being named as the "premier act" by almost all U.S. media covering the event. Both tours were extremely successful. A new studio album, named Angel of Retribution was released on March 1st, 2005 (U.S)(on Sony Music/Epic Records) and a global tour in support of the album is currently underway. Judas Priest and 'Ripper' Owens parted amicably, and Owens is now the singer of Iced Earth.

Statistics

Current band members

Rob Halford - vocals (1973-1991, and from 2003 onwards)

Glenn Tipton - guitars (1974 - present)

K.K. Downing - guitars (1969 - present)

Ian Hill - bass guitars (1969 - present)

Scott Travis - drums (1989 - present)

Former band members

Tim 'Ripper' Owens - vocals (1996 - 2003)

Alan Atkins - vocals (1967-1973)

Dave Holland - drums (1979-1989)

Les Binks - drums (1977-1979)

Simon Phillips - drums (1977)

John Hinch - drums (1973-1975)

Chris 'Congo' Campbell - drums (1972-1973)

Alan 'Skip' Moore - drums (1971-1973, 1975-1977)

John Ellis - drums (1969-1971)

Subliminal message trial

In 1990, the band was involved in a civil action that alleged they were responsible for the suicide attempts in 1985 of two Nevada boys (James Vance and Ray Belknap). The plaintiffs alleged a subliminal message of "do it" had been included in the song "Better by You Better Than Me" (from the Stained Class album) which triggered the suicide attempt. The suit was eventually dismissed on its merits, as the band had pointed out that if you were to play any song backwards and tell someone there was a message, it'll sound as though there actually is. In a television interview, Judas Priest members commented that if they wanted to insert subliminal commands in their music, killing their fans would be counterproductive, and they would prefer to insert the command "Buy more of our records."

Discography

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