Judas Priest

After Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, Judas Priest stands as a likely contender the most influential British heavy metal band. Cranking out one outstanding record after another—the run from Sad Wings Of Destiny to Defenders Of The Faith (when the band released about one album per year for eight years) was remarkable—the band sculpted its riff-driven metal sound, while influencing heavy metal fashion with its members’ onstage getup of leather, studs, and buckles. Priest has performed on and off over the past two decades. In April 2011, founding member K.K. Downing announced his retirement from the group, and Priest announced its final album, Epitaph, and farewell tour. We all know how these breakups go, but for now see the band if you can. It may be your last chance to see Rob Halford howl through “Electric Eye.”

Updated 11/08/2011