With a career spanning more than 50 years, millions of records sold and a string of classic albums and songs that have defined generations, Judas Priest are one of the most important and influential bands in the history of heavy metal.
Their story began in 1969 in Birmingham, England, a city closely associated with the birth of heavy metal. Their twin-guitar attack, powerful riffs and Rob Halford’s extraordinary vocal range helped shape a sound that would profoundly influence the genre, while their trademark leather and studs became an integral part of heavy metal’s visual identity.
Following their first two albums, Rocka Rolla (1974) and Sad Wings of Destiny (1976), came Sin After Sin (1977) and Stained Class (1978), paving the way for their international breakthrough. British Steel (1980), featuring “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight”, Screaming for Vengeance (1982), featuring “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”, and Defenders of the Faith (1984) rank among the decade’s most important releases and remain landmarks in heavy metal history.
In 1990, they released Painkiller, one of the most iconic albums of their career, with its title track becoming one of heavy metal’s defining anthems.
In 2010, Judas Priest won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, while Firepower (2018) reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, marking the band’s highest-ever chart position in the US. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in recognition of their pivotal contribution to the development of heavy metal.
In March 2024, they released Invincible Shield, their 19th studio album, to widespread critical acclaim, while “Crown of Horns” earned them another Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.
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