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!

"The Collector's Guide To Heavy Metal" was a mammoth of a book crammed with 3700 reviews of metal records through the decades. It elicited much discussion, including close to 70 reviews at the book's Amazon page and counting. Now it is being split into three volumes focusing on the '70s, '80s and '90s respectively with an additional 700-800 reviews added to the 70's. In "The Collector's Guide To Heavy Metal -- Volume I: The Seventies", Martin crams the pages full of reviews and recollections of rarities and monster catalogues from 70s bands not covered in the seminal original tome. As well, many of the original reviews get complete overhauls as Martin re-evaluates the classics and adds trivia titbits that make these records come to life. Join Martin's Seventies Appreciation Society and check out dozens of bands and hundreds of albums you won't see covered in any other rock anthology. This indeed is the book that brings back to the printed page, long-lost acts that rocked hard for their times, bands that built the foundation for the mountainous heavy metal sound of today. Monster Records, the king at finding the super obscure stuff, have provided an exclusive CD sampler for which includes material from some or all of the following: Sorcery, Truth And Janey, Ultra, Cain, Poobah, Negative Space and Survivor.

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.

The Godfather of Punk and frontman for The Stooges offers insight into his creative world with this collection of lyrics brought to life by full-color photos, never-before-seen notes and memorabilia, short pieces by Iggy, and commentary from other music legends, including Danny Fields and Chris Stein from Blondie. Iggy Pop hasn't left a mark on music; he’s left it battered and bruised. From fronting the legendary proto-punk band The Stooges to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 to collaborating with an eclectic mix of artists including David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Jarvis Cocker, Death In Vegas, Underworld and Josh Homme, Iggy has proved himself to be one of music’s most iconic, outrageous and enduring music artists. Coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the first and eponymous The Stooges record, here for the first time are Iggy’s collected lyrics, with stunning original photographs, illustrations and his and others' reflections on a genre-defining music career that spans five decades—the ultimate book for every rock and roll fan.

The most thorough and thoughtful treatment of the Heavy Metal dress code and the culture it lives and breathes to date.

Behold: the Holy Diver graphic novel – an original storyline inspired by one of heavy metal’s most iconic album covers. Penned by acclaimed horror comics writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), the book will tell the tale behind the events leading to the powerful moment captured on the cover of Dio's debut album—definitively addressing 30 years of fan speculation. Why is the priest being thrown into the ocean? Who is truly the villain in this scenario?

The result of an extensive poll asking heavy metal fans to list their favouritealbums, this compendium combines those surveys with Popoff's original interviews with world famous rockers who reveal recording session secrets in addition to their own heavy classics and ear-splitting faves. With reviews of early metal albums of the 1960s, as well as the latest hits, this essential resource blends praise with criticism to give an honest assessment of the most influential and important heavy metal recordings.