Stained Class

If Black Sabbath invented the sound of evil, Priest refined it with terrifying animosity on this morbid classic.
Hell Bent for Leather

Leaner, harder, faster. Priest shut down the 1970s with a set of ferocious anthems that crackle in front of you like lightning.
British Steel

The stadium album, with more rhythm, more wailing and bigger choruses. Includes the galloping hit: "Breaking the Law."
Screaming for Vengeance

Returning to their heavy roots helped Priest conquer the U.S.; credit this explosive set, and "You've Got Another Thing Coming."
Painkiller

A new drummer revitalized the band. This 1990 set recalls the sprawl of the 1970s. Top screaming from Halford, too.

1970 Guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill form Judas Priest in Birmingham, England.

1974 The band replaces their original singer with Rob Halford and add second guitarist, Glenn Tipton. They release their debut, Rocka Rola.

1979 On the heels of Hell Bent for Leather, Priest records Unleashed in the East in Japan. It becomes their first U.S. platinum album.

1980 With the hits "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law," British Steel is the group's first worldwide smash.

1982 Screaming for Vengeance, which contains the raging "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," becomes the band's biggest-selling disc.

1991 Halford leaves Priest to form the thrash band, Fight. Judas Priest soldiers on with replacement singer Ripper Owens.

2004 Halford rejoins Judas Priest. The band records its 16th studio album, Angel of Retribution, and begins another world tour.

Top Judas Priest Songs
Judas Priest is exactly the kind outfit we think of when the term "heavy metal" comes up. Whips and chains; ornery tunes; twin-guitar attack? All present and accounted for. Of course, Rob Halford and the guys separated themselves from the metal pack by creating a keenly singular personality that was built around lots of kick-ass songs. Here are 10 of their best.
The perfect convergence of punk and metal sensibilities, Priest scored their first hit with this irresistible party anthem. Loud rock (and Priest themselves) never sounded so carefree.
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Rob Halford lays down the law on this pile-driving rocker. With guitars that sound more like flair guns, Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing turn in scorching, classic solos.
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Flaunting a breakneck pace, this baby gives a surprisingly lighthearted middle finger to all forms of authority. Rob Halford's intense wailing could set off security alarms.
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The guys trot out the doom-and-gloom. This mesmerizing prog-rock cut from Sad Wings of Destiny is chillingly bleak and wonderfully evocative.
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It all started to come together for Priest on this infectious celebration of metal's lifestyle and accompanying fashion sense. The unofficial soundtrack for S&M dungeons everywhere.
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Pounding, throbbing -- this is as aggressive as arena-metal gets. Torrents of guitar hellfire surround Halford as he screams for vengeance.
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Hardcore fans believed that Priest would never touch synthesizers, but the band pulled it off on this sinuous and sexy cut from Turbo.
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Another heat-seeking missile from the British Steel disc. On this winning cut, Halford just wants to go hot rockin'. Why on earth would anybody stop him?
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Nobody really knows what "freewheel burnin'" actually means, but when you've got a song this slammin', it doesn't matter.
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Heavy as hell, this speed rock anthem should be required listening for all metal wannabes. The singer's screech makes everything seem dire and delirious.
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