Get a backstage pass and see Judas Priest like you’ve never seen them before in this electrifying memoir by the band’s cofounder and former lead guitarist. Judas Priest formed in the industrial city of Birmingham, England, in 1969. With its distinctive twin-guitar sound, studs-and-leather image, and international sales of over 50 million records, Judas Priest became the archetypal heavy metal band in the 1980s. Iconic tracks like "Breaking the Law," "Living after Midnight," and "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" helped the band achieve extraordinary success, but no one from the band has stepped out to tell their or the band's story until now. As the band approaches its golden anniversary, fans will at last be able to delve backstage into the decades of shocking, hilarious, and haunting stories that surround the heavy metal institution. In Heavy Duty, guitarist K.K. Downing discusses the complex personality conflicts, the business screw-ups, the acrimonious relationship with fellow heavy metal band Iron Maiden, as well as how Judas Priest found itself at the epicenter of a storm of parental outrage that targeted heavy metal in the '80s. He also describes his role in cementing the band's trademark black leather and studs image that would not only become synonymous with the entire genre, but would also give singer Rob Halford a viable outlet by which to express his sexuality. Lastly, he recounts the life-changing moment when he looked at his bandmates on stage during a 2009 concert and thought, "This is the last show." Whatever the topic, whoever's involved, K.K. doesn't hold back.

The legendary frontman of Judas Priest, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, celebrates five decades of heavy metal in this tell-all memoir. Most priests hear confessions. This one is making his. Rob Halford, front man of global iconic metal band Judas Priest, is a true "Metal God." Raised in Britain's hard-working, heavy industrial heartland, he and his music were forged in the Black Country. Confess, his full autobiography, is an unforgettable rock 'n' roll story-a journey from a Walsall council estate to musical fame via alcoholism, addiction, police cells, ill-fated sexual trysts, and bleak personal tragedy, through to rehab, coming out, redemption . . . and finding love. Now, he is telling his gospel truth. Told with Halford's trademark self-deprecating, deadpan Black Country humor, Confess is the story of an extraordinary five decades in the music industry. It is also the tale of unlikely encounters with everybody from Superman to Andy Warhol, Madonna, Jack Nicholson, and the Queen. More than anything else, it's a celebration of the fire and power of heavy metal. Rob Halford has decided to Confess. Because it's good for the soul. Named one of the Best Music Books of 2020 by Rolling Stone and Kirkus Reviews

Defenders Of The Faith is what heavy metal fans have been waiting for. This epic biography of Judas Priest includes over 50 interviews with prominent musicians, producers, record company personnel, journalists, childhood friends and ex-band members. From their deprived beginnings in late-sixties West Bromwich, through the numerous line-up changes of the 1970s to the controversial sell-out US tours in the 1980s, here is the complete history of the band up to and beyond their meltdown in the 1990s. The story continues with their re-invention in 1996 after the defection of Rob Halford... and Halford's eventual return to the fold in 2003. Defenders Of The Faith is also about the music. From the band's earliest demos to their contentious contract with Gull Records and breakthrough success with CBS, every album and tour is examined and assessed in detail. The result is the fullest and most authentic portrait of Judas Priest there has ever been!

"A biography of British heavy metal band Judas Priest"--Provided by publisher.

When the world thinks of heavy metal in its pure, potent, undiluted form, it is none other than the Metal Gods, Judas Priest, that instantly come to mind. Chrome and black leather, studs and whips and chains, a chopper on stage to announce the coming... these are the tools of the trade for Rob Halford and his legendary band of Birmingham bashers. Indeed, the Priest are the bringers of metal's biggest anthems. "Breaking the Law," "Living after Midnight," "Exciter," "Electric Eye," "Victim of Changes," and especially "You've Got Another Thing Comin'"... these are songs woven into the fabric of metal's wild ride, Priest having been there since its origins, revving up crowds as superstars certainly for 30 years of that run. Lifelong fan and preeminent metal historian Martin Popoff examines the Priest's rich legacy from 1974 to 1984, album by album, anthem by anthem, in this hugely expanded update on the early years portion of his long out-of-print Heavy Metal Painkillers book. Having interviewed all the principals in the band repeatedly over the years, Popoff gives a first-hand account of Priest's rocky, often comical ride through the '70s, and through the gold and platinum records of the '80s, expertly detailing the long road to the arena headline status the band now enjoys as heavy metal's proudest ambassadors. Judas Priest: Decade of Domination includes extensive commentary from reclusive drummer Les Binks, along with new interview footage from Tom Allom, Chris Tsangarides, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Rob Halford, and various other insiders who are part of the Priest saga during this hallowed, golden era. Also included are tons of memorabilia shots, live photography and two tipped-in colour sections. To reiterate, this is the most extensive analysis ever in book form of: Rocka Rolla, Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, Killing Machine/Hell Bent for Leather, Unleashed in the East, British Steel, Point of Entry, Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith-song by song, lots of stories, looking at licks and fills, and what's in the right channel and left, lyric analysis... the deepest dive ever on these records.

Required reading for any metalhead, this collection of entertaining illustrated conversations spans all of Judas Priest’s studio albums, right up through 2024’s Invincible Shield. In Judas Priest: Album by Album, prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to Judas Priest’s discography through a series of in-depth and fascinating conversations about all 19 of the legendary British heavy metal band’s studio albums. Inside, Popoff gathers together musicians and metal journalists who offer insights, opinions, and anecdotes about each release. The interviewees include names like Slash (Guns N' Roses), Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Todd La Torre (Queensrÿche), Bobby Ellsworth (Overkill), and more. Popoff also includes sidebars that provide complete track listings, details on album personnel, and information on where and when the albums were recorded. Richly illustrated with thoughtfully curated performance and offstage photography, as well as rare memorabilia, the conversations comprise a unique historical overview of the band, covering: Legendary guitarists K. K. Downing and Glenn Tipton The work of iconic lead singer Rob Halford The roles of various producers in the band’s discography Mega tours undertaken in support of the LPs And much more—even controversies surrounding the band are covered. Reexamine the rich catalog of these metal masters with this entertaining and insightful album-by-album exploration.

When the world thinks of heavy metal in its pure, undiluted form, it is none other than the metal gods, Judas Priest, that come to mind. Back stronger than ever with their acclaimed Angel of Retribution album, theirs is a story that is long overdue in the telling. Popoff examines the band's rich legacy album by album, anthem by anthem, recounting the band's shocking split with Halford in the mid 90s and his triumphant return in 2003. Accompanying the text is a full-colour cornucopia of images - photos, memorabilia shots and cover graphics.

Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British metal band Judas Priest. But where and when did it all begin? During the sixties when the highly lauded Brum Beat era produced bands such as The Move, Atkins played in various semi-pro outfits. It was in 1969 that Atkins decided to have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was JUDAS PRIEST. Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Atkins even recorded the very first Judas Priest demo: "Good Time Woman" and "We'll Stay Together". Unfortunately, Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins resurrected Priest with another line-up in 1970 with guitarist K K Downing and bassist Ian Hill. In '71 they made a 7" single acetate: "Holy is the Man" and "Mind Conception". Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo and Black Sabbath. A revolving line-up continued until May 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day. His memoirs contain very rare archive photos and memorabilia from Judas Priest's past circa 1969-1973. Also included are interviews with various members of Priest's history. Atkins is the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the band's first two albums "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings of Destiny" both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic "Victim of Changes". With a foreword by Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, "Dawn of the Metal Gods" is not just a book for Judas Priest fans but a bible for all those wishing to form a band in the tumultuous world of heavy metal.

Photographs of the popular British rock band accompany a brief history of the group and a discussion of each of their albums