7 Songs for People Who Say They Don’t Worship with Judas Priest

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Judas Priest are an unusual entity in the metal world. They are known to the mainstream for three big songs, “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” Each has gotten radio airplay over the years, but many true Priest fans love their work that is heavier, epic, and often more complex in nature. Even with many shorter songs like “Electric Eye,” they’re cramming in a lot more riffs than most bands would.

The British quintet became famous for Rob Halford’s compelling vocals and intense screaming, Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing’s dazzling and dueling guitar work, and the sterling rhythm section of bassist Ian Hill and a number of different drummers—most notably Dave Holland in the 1980s and Scott Travis, who has occupied that seat for the last 35 years. Priest have often crossed over into different genres, even taking risky moves like the poppy Turbo album with its synth guitars, but they like to push themselves forward.

The following seven cuts represent the band’s sound in more diverse ways than their most well-known songs.

“Starbreaker” from Sin After Sin (1977)

Session drummer Simon Phillips lent his powerful presence to Priest’s third album, including the galloping beat to this swaggering song about a messianic alien figure who arrives on Earth to take chosen ones to a new world. Of what, who knows. An interesting interpretation is that it’s death come to whisk select people to the afterlife. Either way, it’s a grooving tune with great harmonic leads during the solo section.

Paradise is waiting
For the chosen few
Let’s hope maybe this time
He picks me and you

Star voyage to a new world
Light-year miles away
Cross your fingers, here he is
Take us now this day

Starbreaker
Glides in from the sky
Starbreaker
Takes you up so high

“Before the Dawn” from Hell Bent for Leather (1978)

This gentle, poignant ballad is about a fleeting love affair that leaves an indelible mark on its protagonist. Funnily enough, it got sandwiched between “Running Wild” and “Evil Fantasies.” This is one of the most stripped-down songs in the Priest catalog—vocals, acoustic guitar, gentle bass, and synth and cymbal washes. It’s certainly one of Halford’s most heartfelt performances accompanied by a sorrowful electric guitar solo, and it was inspired by his first true romantic heartbreak.

“You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise” from British Steel (1980)

The raw power of British Steel came from Priest’s intense energy and producer Tom Allom’s wise decision to capture them with a live feel. Allom produced all of the band’s ‘80s output, and as the decade went on the sound design got more sophisticated. But taking a stripped-back yet hard-edged approach for this album was the right choice, particularly with this mid-tempo manifesto of independence for young people wanting to strike out on their own.

I’ve had enough of being programmed
And told what I ought to do
Let’s get one thing straight
I’ll choose my fate
It’s got nothing to do with you

The years are flying by and it’s time I got high
Took a sample of the good things in life
This is a chance I’m gonna take
Gonna kick out trouble and strife

I grow sick and tired of the same old lies
Might look a little young
So what’s wrong?
You don’t have to be old to be wise

“Heading Out to the Highway” from Point of Entry (1981)

This rousing rocker is a cousin to the aforementioned British Steel track, and the video, with its ‘50s movie-inspired drag race, got substantial airplay in the early days of MTV. “Heading Out to the Highway” is another straightforward track that’s enlivened by a snarling vocal and grandiose guitar harmonies, and it’s an anthem of independence that states its simple message loud and proud.

“Fever” from Screaming for Vengeance (1982)

Ballads are often an easy way to get non-metalheads to appreciate a heavier band, and the moody, echo-y intro “Fever” fools you into thinking that’s the direction it’s heading. Instead, it transforms into a potent, thunderous anthem about an isolated man who becomes beguiled by a new love. It’s more upbeat than much of the darker Screaming album, plays with some dynamics, and showcases Halford in dramatic form without much screaming.

“Angel” from Angel of Retribution (2005)

This ballad from the group’s reunion album conjures the image of the fallen angel that adorns the cover of their second album Sad Wings of Destiny. The first half of the song resides in acoustic serenity before the band kicks in, albeit in restrained fashion, for the dramatic coda. Lyrically, it explores themes of sorrow, protection, redemption. It’s interesting that the two best songs on this album are the ballads, the other being the somber electric track “Worth Fighting For”.

“Guardians/Rising from Ruins” from Firepower (2018)

This is the monster metal track on the list and another showcase for Halford’s powerful vocals and some blazing lead work from Richie Faulkner, who replaced the departed K.K. Downing in 2011. In the span of six and a half minutes the band moves from a quasi-symphonic intro an epic rallying cry for powering on through dark times. The music may be moody, but the lyrics subvert that feeling with positive thoughts. Although not overtly political and cloaked with a little God versus the devil metaphor, it doesn’t seem coincidental that this song emerged as far-right politics were strongly resurfacing in many Western nations.

We’ll face our foes so they can hear our voices
The land rejoices in empathy
This trial by fire will build from their attrition
It’s ammunition for our enemies

We’re standing as one
We’re carrying on
Rising from ruins
We’re bringing the lights
Out from the nights
Rising from ruins

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