|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJUDAS PRIESTUK heavy metal band formed in 1973 in Birmingham by Rob Halford, vocals (b 25 August 1951); Glenn Tipton (b 25 October 1948) and K. K. (Kenneth) Downing, guitars. With rhythm section of drummer John Hinch and bassist Ian Hill, they caused a stir on the small Gull label with Rocka Rolla '74, an album of promising songs but tinny production (by Rodger Bain). Sad Wings Of Destiny '75, with new drummer Alan Moore, was produced by the group, Max West and Geoffrey Calvert, fulfilling promise with standout tracks 'Tyrant', 'Victim Of Changes', 'Ripper', etc. The twin-guitar attack of Tipton and Downing was perfectly complementary, with Halford's shrill vocals the icing on the cake. They left Gull for CBS, who gave a necessary push to their career, but Sin After Sin '77 disappointed, despite the presence of ace session drummer Simon Phillips, produced by ex-Deep Purple Roger Glover: their former aggression and beefy sound were lacking. A tour with new drummer Les Binks supporting Led Zeppelin in USA helped spread their live reputation. They continued successful with Stained Class and Killing Machine (aka Hell Bent For Leather in USA), both '78, with anthems like 'Beyond The Realms Of Death' and 'Take On The World' respectively, latter in a football-chant style they soon copyrighted (no. 14 hit UK). New Wave of British Heavy Metal (Saxon, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden etc) threatened their UK position, but Unleashed In The East '79, a live LP from Japan, was their first US top 100 LP, uniting them with their best producer to date in Tom Allom. Ex-Trapeze drummer Dave Holland replaced Binks for British Steel '80 (top 40 USA and their first gold album there), Screaming For Vengeance '82 (double platinum in the USA), Defenders Of The Faith '84; the first of these was their highest-ever UK LP at no. 4, helped by hit singles 'Living After Midnight' and 'Breaking The Law' (both no. 12 UK); all LPs beginning with Unleashed were top 20 in UK. They underwent changes in musical tack (now heavier, more considered) and image-wise (Halford had shorter hair than most punks); they also showed good taste in covering others' songs on stage (e.g. Joan Baez's 'Diamonds And Rust', Fleetwood Mac's 'Green Manalishi'); Turbo was released '86. Their 'thinking man's metal' (if that is not a contradiction in terms) made them all but equal to the other famous Birmingham HM groups, Led Zep and Black Sabbath. A live album '87, Ram It Down '88, Painkiller '90 continued top 40 in USA; compilation Metal Works '93 summed up 20 years. |