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{{Short description|English heavy metal band}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Judas Priest
| image             = Judas Priest - Wacken Open Air 2018 01.jpg
| landscape         = Yes
| caption           = Judas Priest at [[Wacken Open Air]] 2018
| origin            = [[Birmingham]], England<ref name="Bowe"/>
| genre             = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
| works             = [[Judas Priest discography|Discography]]
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1969–1992
* 1996–present}}
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia/CBS]]
* [[SPV GmbH|SPV]]
* [[CMC International|CMC]]
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* [[Gull (record label)|Gull]]}}
| spinoffs          = {{flatlist|
* [[Fight (band)|Fight]]
* [[KK's Priest]]
* [[Halford (band)|Halford]]}}
| website           = {{URL|judaspriest.com}}
| current_members   = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ian Hill]]
* [[Rob Halford]]
* [[Glenn Tipton]]
* [[Scott Travis]]
* [[Richie Faulkner]]}}
| past_members      = {{Plainlist|
* [[Al Atkins]]
* [[K. K. Downing]]
* [[Alan Moore (drummer)|Alan Moore]]
* [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]]
* [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]]
* [[Les Binks]]
* [[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]]
* [[Tim "Ripper" Owens]]}}
}}

'''Judas Priest''' a<!-- NOTE: "are" is correct British English. Do NOT change to "is" -->re an English [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band formed in [[Birmingham]] in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. They have been referred to as one of the pioneers of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] (NWOBHM) movement,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/judas-priest-take-over-vh1|title=JUDAS PRIEST Take Over VH1!|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=6 July 2024|date=30 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=DeVita |first=Joe |date=4 May 2022 |title=Rock Hall Inducts Judas Priest With Award, Snubs RATM |url=https://loudwire.com/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-class-of-2022-inductees/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=[[Loudwire]]}}</ref> and cited as a formative influence on various metal subgenres, including [[speed metal]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Wener |first=Ben |date=6 August 2009 |title=Judas Priest at Pacific: still fierce after all these years |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2009/08/06/judas-priest-at-pacific-still-fierce-after-all-these-years/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=[[The Orange County Register|OC Register]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=O’Connor |first=Andy |date=23 September 2018 |title=Judas Priest shows they're still the masters |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/09/26/judas-priest-shows-theyre-still-the-masters/10214532007/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |newspaper=[[Austin American-Statesman]]}}</ref> [[thrash metal]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/awards/judas-priest-rob-halford-jose-mangin-rock-hall-fame-1235423813/|title=Judas Priest Honored at Rock Hall|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=6 July 2024|date=2 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/bands-pioneered-thrash-metal/|title=15 Bands Considered Pioneers of Thrash Metal|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=6 July 2024|date=10 April 2020}}</ref> and [[power metal]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/lgbtq-american-history-for-the-people/living-after-midnight-81505ffb0322|title=Living After Midnight. Rob Halford's Impact on Metal|website=[[Medium (website)|medium.com]]|access-date=6 July 2024|date=2 November 2022}}</ref> as well as the [[hard rock]]/[[glam metal]] scene of the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/metalogy-mw0000336303|title=Metalogy - Judas Priest|magazine=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=28 July 2024}}</ref> Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in the latter half of the 1970s, the band had struggled with poor record production and a lack of major commercial success until 1980, when their sixth studio album ''[[British Steel (album)|British Steel]]'' brought them notable mainstream attention.

During the 1970s, the core of bassist [[Ian Hill]], lead singer [[Rob Halford]] and guitarists [[Glenn Tipton]] and [[K. K. Downing]] saw a revolving cast of drummers (with [[Les Binks]] being the only one who played on more than one album), before [[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]] joined them for ten years beginning in 1979. Since Holland's departure, [[Scott Travis]] has been the band's drummer. Halford left Judas Priest in 1992, and after a four-year hiatus, they regrouped in 1996 with [[Tim "Ripper" Owens]] (formerly of [[Winter's Bane]]) replacing him. After two albums with Owens, Halford returned to the band in 2003. Downing left Judas Priest in 2011, replaced by [[Richie Faulkner]]. The current line-up consists of Hill, Tipton, Travis, Halford and Faulkner; although Tipton remains as an official member of the band, he has limited his touring activities since 2018 due to [[Parkinson's disease]], with [[Andy Sneap]] filling in for him. Hill and Tipton are the only two members of the band to appear on every album.

Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of Downing and Tipton have been a major influence on heavy metal bands. Judas Priest's image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing was widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s. ''[[The Guardian]]'' referred to ''British Steel'' as the record that defines heavy metal. Despite a decline in exposure during the mid-1990s, the band have once again seen a resurgence, including worldwide tours, being inaugural inductees into the [[VH1 Rock Honors]] in 2006, receiving a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in 2010, and having their songs featured in video games such as ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' and the ''[[Rock Band]]'' series. In 2022, the band were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] via the Award for Musical Excellence.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-05-04 |title=At last – Judas Priest will finally make it into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/judas-priest-rock-roll-hall-fame-2022 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=loudersound |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Origins (1969–1974) ===
Judas Priest were formed in 1969 in [[Birmingham]],<ref name="Bowe">{{harvnb|Bowe|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-hIN6L4zyTgC&pg=PA27 27]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Regeniter|first=Anna|date=2018-03-12 |title=Reise Know-How CityTrip Birmingham|language=de |publisher=Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump|isbn=978-3-8317-4930-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5gh4DwAAQBAJ&q=birmingham+Judas+Priest&pg=PA81}}</ref> England, by lead vocalist [[Al Atkins]] and bassist Brian "Bruno" Stapenhill, with John Perry on guitars and John "Fezza" Partridge on drums. Perry took his own life at age 18,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/original-judas-priest-singer-talks-about-his-early-songwriting-contributions-to-band/|title=Original JUDAS PRIEST Singer Talks About His Early Songwriting Contributions To Band|date=22 June 2008|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> and amongst the replacements the band auditioned was future Judas Priest guitarist [[K. K. Downing|Kenneth "K. K." Downing]]; at the time, they turned him down in favour of 17-year-old multi-instrumentalist Ernest Chataway, who had played with Birmingham band [[Black Sabbath]] when they were still called Earth.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=2}} Stapenhill came up with the name Judas Priest from [[Bob Dylan]]'s song "[[The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest]]" on the album ''[[John Wesley Harding]]''.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|pp=2–3}} Partridge was replaced in 1970 by drummer Fred Woolley, who later re-joined Chataway and Stapenhill in the band Bullion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brumbeat.net/judaspri.htm |title=Judas Priest early years|website=Brumbeat.net|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> No member of that early line-up lasted long enough to play on the band's recordings, though several songs co-written by Atkins appeared on their first two albums.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=2}}

The band recorded a two-song demo "Good Time Woman" and "We'll Stay Together" and eventually gained a three-album recording contract with the label Immediate in late 1969 after a gig in [[Walsall]],{{efn|The gig was on 25 November 1969, and [[Led Zeppelin]] vocalist [[Robert Plant]] was in the audience.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=3}}}} but the label went out of business before an album could be recorded, and the band split in 1970. Late in the year, Atkins found a [[heavy rock]] band called Freight rehearsing without a singer, made up of K. K. Downing on guitars, his childhood friend [[Ian Hill|Ian "Skull" Hill]] on bass, and drummer John Ellis.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=3}} He joined them, and they took on Atkins' defunct band's name. Their first gig was on 6 March 1971. Ellis quit later that year and was replaced with [[Alan Moore (drummer)|Alan Moore]]. Early shows included [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Quatermass (band)|Quatermass]] covers, and in 1972, the set list included the originals "Never Satisfied", "Winter", and the show-closer "Caviar and Meths".{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=4}} July 1971 also saw them making a [[Single (music)|45 rpm]] demo of "Mind Conception" with "Holy is the Man" on the B-side for the Zella Records label.

Moore left and was replaced with Chris "Congo" Campbell and the band joined the management agency of [[Black Sabbath]] guitarist [[Tony Iommi]], Iommi Management Agency.{{efn|The Iommi Management Agency changed its name to Tramp Entertainments in 1973.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=5}} }} Atkins continued to write material for the band—including "Whiskey Woman", which became the base for the Judas Priest staple "[[Victim of Changes (song)|Victim of Changes]]"—but as finances were tight and he had a family to support, he played his last gigs with the band in December 1972 and left the band in May 1973.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|pp=5–7}} Campbell left soon afterwards, later to surface in the band Machine,<ref>{{Cite web|title=MACHINE|url=https://www.boredteenagers.co.uk/MACHINEwithnames.htm|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Boredteenagers.co.uk}}</ref> and the band enlisted two members of the band Hiroshima: drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] and vocalist [[Rob Halford]], the brother of Hill's girlfriend.{{efn|Hill and Sue Halford were married from 1976 to 1984 and have a son together.{{sfn|Wang|2008}} }} Halford and Hinch played their first show with the band in May 1973 at the [[Townhouse (Great Britain)|Townhouse]] in [[Wellington, Shropshire|Wellington]]. The show was recorded and part of it was released in 2019 on the compilation ''Downer-Rock Asylum''<ref>{{Cite web |last=LiveMetal |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Judas Priest - Live 1973 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5QZvyT1gog |website=YouTube}}</ref> on the Audio Archives label along with one live song from the Atkins era.

Judas Priest made their first tour of continental Europe in early 1974 and they returned to England that April to sign a recording deal with the label [[Gull (record label)|Gull]].{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=8}} Gull suggested adding a fifth member to fill in the band's sound; they took on as a second lead guitarist [[Glenn Tipton]],{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=8}} whose group [[the Flying Hat Band]] were also managed by Iommi's agency.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=5}}

=== ''Rocka Rolla'' (1974–1975) ===
Judas Priest went into the studio in June–July 1974 with Black Sabbath producer [[Rodger Bain]].{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=17}} The band released their debut single "Rocka Rolla" and followed it with the [[Rocka Rolla|album of the same name]] in September.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=17}} The album features a variety of styles—straight-up rock, heavy riffing, and [[Progressive rock|progressive]].{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=16}}

Technical problems during the recording contributed to the poor sound quality of the record. Producer [[Rodger Bain]], whose resume included [[Black Sabbath]]'s first three albums and [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]]'s [[Budgie (album)|first album]], dominated the production of the album and made decisions with which the band did not agree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thexquorum.com/mad/ROCKAROLLA.html |title=Judas Priest Info Pages – Rocka Rolla |website= Thexquorum.com |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> Bain also chose to leave fan favourites from the band's live set, such as "Tyrant", "Genocide" and "[[The Ripper (song)|The Ripper]]", from the album and he cut the song "Caviar and Meths" from a 10-minute song down to a 2-minute instrumental.

The tour for ''Rocka Rolla'' was the band's first international tour<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thexquorum.com/mad/BEGINNINGS.html#APRIL%201974 |title=Judas Priest Info Pages – Forging The Metal |publisher=Thexquorum.com |access-date=18 April 2014}}</ref> with dates in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark including one show at Hotel Klubben<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/Quality/Quality-Hotel-Klubben/ |title=Hotell Sentralt i Tønsberg – Quality Hotel Klubben |publisher=Nordicchoicehotels.no |access-date=18 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715190855/https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/quality/quality-hotel-klubben/ |archive-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> in Tønsberg, one hour from Oslo, Norway, which scored them a somewhat negative review in the local press.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kkdowning.net/pictography/scrapbooks/scrap2/lydsjokk.jpg |title=Newspaper cutting : Lydsjokk pa Klubben |publisher=Kkdowning.net |access-date=19 April 2014}}</ref> The album flopped upon release, leaving Priest in dire financial straits. Priest attempted to secure a deal with Gull Records to get a monthly pay of £50, however, because Gull Records were struggling as well, they declined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/judas-priest/playlist/1700662/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427151822/http://www.mtv.com/artists/judas-priest/playlist/1700662/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 April 2014 |title=Judas Priest Behind The Music Remastered: Judas Priest |publisher=MTV |access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Sad Wings of Destiny'' (1975–1977) ===
Judas Priest performed "Rocka Rolla" on [[BBC Two]]'s ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'' in 1975, as well as the "Dreamer Deceiver"–"Deceiver" pair the year before the songs appeared on ''Sad Wings of Destiny''.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=34}} Hinch left the band for reasons that are disputed and was replaced with Alan Moore,{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=32}} who returned to the band in October 1975.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=39}} Finances were tight: band members restricted themselves to one meal a day—and several took on part-time work—while they recorded their follow-up album on a budget of £2,000.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|pp=39, 41}} The group intended to make an album mixing straight-ahead rock with a [[Progressive rock|progressive]] edge.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=99}}

The band recorded ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'' over two weeks in November and December 1975 at [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=96}} The band stayed sober during the 12-hour recording sessions.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=99}} The cover depicts a struggling, grounded angel surrounded by flames and wearing a devil's three-pronged cross,{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=27}} which became the band's symbol.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=100}} The album was released in March 1976,{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=30}} with "[[The Ripper (song)|The Ripper]]" as its lead single.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=33}} The band supported the album with a headlining tour{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=39}} of the UK from April to June 1976.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=101}} By this time Halford joked that fans should burn their copies of ''Rocka Rolla''.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=29}}

The album had little commercial success at first{{sfn|Huey}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Sad Wings of Destiny - Judas Priest &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|work=[[AllMusic]] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/sad-wings-of-destiny-mw0000201463|access-date=2014-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217173214/http://www.allmusic.com/album/sad-wings-of-destiny-mw0000201463|archive-date=17 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=March 2021}} and had difficulty getting noticed due to critical competition from the rise of [[punk rock]],{{sfn|Bowe|2009|p=39}} though it had a positive review in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=39}} Fans, critics, and the band have since come to see ''Sad Wings of Destiny'' as the album on which Judas Priest consolidated their sound and image.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=100}} It features heavy [[riff]]ing and complex song [[arrangement]]s that Tipton and Downing have said were inspired by the factories of the [[Black Country]].{{sfn|Cope|2013|p=110}} The album's centrepiece "[[Victim of Changes]]" evolved from a combination of Atkins' "Whiskey Woman" and Halford's "Red Light Woman", and went on to become a fan favourite.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=27}}

The band grew dissatisfied with Gull;{{sfn|Popoff|2007|pp=41–42}} the tight finances led Moore to leave the band a second time{{when|date=January 2021||reason=The next section says Moore left during the ''Sin After Sin'' recording sessions.}}—this time permanently.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|p=102}} ''Sad Wings of Destiny'' caught the attention of {{not a typo|[[Columbia Records|CBS Records]]}}, and with the help of new manager David Hemmings, the band signed with CBS and received a £60,000 budget for their next album. The signing required breaking their contract with Gull, resulting in the rights to the first two albums and all related recordings—including demos—becoming property of Gull.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|pp=41–42}} Gull periodically repackaged and re-released the material from these albums.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=122}}

=== ''Sin After Sin'', ''Stained Class'' and ''Killing Machine'' (1977–1979) ===
Judas Priest recorded their major-label debut, ''[[Sin After Sin]]'', in January 1977 at [[the Who]]'s [[Ramport Studios]], with [[Deep Purple]] bassist [[Roger Glover]] as producer.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=49}} Moore left again during the album's sessions{{Clarify timeframe|date=January 2021}} and was replaced by session drummer [[Simon Phillips (drummer)|Simon Phillips]].{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=44}} The album features significant developments in heavy metal technique, in particular its use of [[double kick|double-kick]] drumming on tracks such as "[[Dissident Aggressor]]",{{sfn|Cope|2013|p=114}} and includes a pop-metal cover of "[[Diamonds & Rust (song)|Diamonds & Rust]]" by folk singer [[Joan Baez]].{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=50}}

''[[Sin After Sin]]'' appeared in April 1977.{{sfn|Popoff|2007|p=2}} It was the first Priest record under a major label, [[Columbia Records|CBS]], and the first of eleven consecutive albums to be certified Gold or [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{cite web |title=How Judas Priest Began Their March to Stardom on 'Sin After Sin' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/judas-priest-sin-after-sin/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=8 April 2017 |access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> Phillips declined to become a permanent member of Judas Priest, so the band hired [[Les Binks]] on Glover's recommendation. Together, they recorded ''[[Stained Class]]'', produced by Dennis MacKay, and ''[[Killing Machine]]'' (released in North America as ''Hell Bent for Leather''), both released in 1978.{{sfn|Daniels|2007|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qRTEsW44NDQC&pg=PT95 SIX: 1977–1979]}} Binks was credited with co-writing "[[Beyond the Realms of Death]]". Binks also played on ''[[Unleashed in the East]]'' (1979), which was recorded live in Japan during the Killing Machine tour. ''Killing Machine'' was the first nod to a more commercial sound, with simpler songs that brought back some blues influences. At about the same time, the band members adopted their now-famous "leather-and-studs" image.<ref name="Bukszpan">{{cite book |last=Bukszpan |first=Daniel |year=2003 |title=The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal |publisher=Barnes & Noble Publishing |isbn=9780760742181 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YaDDsg0H35gC&pg=PT94}}</ref>

=== Mainstream success years (1979–1991) ===
[[File:Judas Priest dal viṿ a Cardiff in dal 1981.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Judas Priest performing in 1981, during their [[World Wide Blitz Tour]]]]
Following the release of ''[[Killing Machine]]'' (1978) was the live release from the supporting tour, ''[[Unleashed in the East]]'' (1979). It was the first of many Judas Priest albums to go platinum. There was some criticism of the band's use of studio enhancements and [[overdubbing]] in what was marketed as a live album.<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10662|pure_url=yes}}| title= Unleashed in the East > Overview' |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date =23 April 2007}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=March 2021}} By this point the playing style of the band had grown progressively heavier, with live versions of songs such as "Exciter", "Tyrant" and "Diamonds and Rust" sounding much heavier and faster than their studio counterparts.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Les Binks quit in late 1979, as he was unhappy with the band's manager Mike Dolan's decision not to pay him for his performance on the live album,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kkdowning.net/steelmill/Interviews/beyond-realms-les-binks/|title=Beyond The Realms of Les Binks|website=Kkdowning.net|date=28 March 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-06}}</ref> so they replaced him with [[Dave Holland (drummer)|Dave Holland]], formerly of the band [[Trapeze (band)|Trapeze]]. With this line-up, Judas Priest recorded six studio and one live album, which garnered different degrees of critical and financial success.

In 1980, the band released ''[[British Steel (album)|British Steel]]''. The songs were shorter and had more mainstream radio hooks, but retained the familiar heavy metal feel. Tracks such as "[[United (Judas Priest song)|United]]", "[[Breaking the Law]]", and "[[Living After Midnight]]" were frequently played on the radio. The next release, 1981's ''[[Point of Entry]]'', followed the same formula, and [[British Steel Tour|the tour in support]] of the album featured new songs such as "Solar Angels" and "[[Heading Out to the Highway]]".

The 1982 album ''[[Screaming for Vengeance]]'' featured "[[You've Got Another Thing Comin'|You've Got Another Thing Comin{{'-}}]]", which became a major radio hit in the US. Songs such as "[[Electric Eye (song)|Electric Eye]]" and "Riding on the Wind" also appeared on this album, and proved to be popular live. "(Take These) Chains" (by [[Bob Halligan Jr.]]) was released as a single. This album went Double Platinum.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://members.firstinter.net/markster/SCREAMINGFORVENGEANCE.html| title=Screaming for Vengeance Info Page |publisher=Judas Priest Info Pages}}</ref>

On 29 May 1983, the band played on Heavy Metal Day of the [[US Festival]], a music festival in [[San Bernardino, California]] sponsored by [[Steve Wozniak]]. The band was fourth in the line-up that also included [[Quiet Riot]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Triumph (band)|Triumph]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]], and [[Van Halen]].

[[File:Judas Priest K.K. Downing Glenn Tipton, 1984.jpg|thumb|left|Downing and Tipton performing in [[San Sebastián]], Spain, during their Metal Conqueror Tour of 1984]]
Priest continued their success through the mid-1980s. "[[Freewheel Burning]]", released in 1983, was a regular on rock radio. Its album ''[[Defenders of the Faith]]'' was released the following year. Some critics dubbed it "Screaming for Vengeance II", due to its musical similarity to the previous album.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://members.firstinter.net/markster/DEFENDERSOFTHEFAITH.html| title=Defenders of the Faith Info Page| publisher=Judas Priest Info Pages| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070205180937/http://members.firstinter.net/markster/DEFENDERSOFTHEFAITH.html| archive-date=5 February 2007}}</ref>

On 13 July 1985, Judas Priest, along with [[Black Sabbath]] and other performers, played [[Live Aid]] at [[JFK Stadium]] in [[Philadelphia]]. Their setlist included "Living After Midnight", "[[The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)#Judas Priest version|The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)]]" and "(You've Got) Another Thing Comin'".

''[[Turbo (Judas Priest album)|Turbo]]'' was released in April 1986. The band adopted a more colourful stage look and gave their music a more mainstream feel by adding [[guitar synthesizer]]s. The album also went Platinum and had a successful arena tour in support, with 100 concerts in North America, Europe and Japan in 1986. A live album recorded on the tour, titled ''[[Priest...Live!]]'', was released the next year, offering live tracks from the era. The video documentary ''[[Heavy Metal Parking Lot]]'' was created by [[Jeff Krulik]] and John Heyn in 1986. It documents the [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] fans waiting on 31 May 1986 for Priest's concert (with special guests [[Dokken]]) at the Capital Center (later renamed [[US Airways Arena (Washington, D.C.)|US Airways Arena]]) in [[Landover, Maryland]].

[[File:Rob Halford Motorbike 1988.jpg|thumb|right|Rob Halford in 1988. One of Priest's trademark stage stunts was to have Halford ride a motorbike on stage.]]
In May 1988, ''[[Ram It Down]]'' was released, featuring several reworked songs left over from ''Turbo'', in addition to new songs. The band recorded three tracks with pop producers [[Stock Aitken Waterman|Stock-Aitken-Waterman]]: two originals, "Runaround"<ref>{{cite web|title=Songs&nbsp;- RUNAROUND – BY STOCK / AITKEN / WATERMAN |publisher=Mike Stock Publishing |website=Mikestockmusic.com |url=http://www.mikestockmusic.com/songDisplay.php?id=49 |access-date=22 January 2018|year=1988|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126055817/http://www.mikestockmusic.com/songDisplay.php?id=49 |archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and "I Will Return",<ref>{{cite web |title=Songs&nbsp;- I WILL RETURN – BY STOCK / AITKEN / WATERMAN |publisher=Mike Stock Publishing |website=Mikestockmusic.com |url=http://www.mikestockmusic.com/songDisplay.php?id=48 |access-date=22 January 2018 |year=1988|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126051713/http://www.mikestockmusic.com/songDisplay.php?id=48 |archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a cover of the Stylistics' hit "[[You Are Everything]]". Producer [[Matt Aitken]] said of the sessions, "I think it was ill-conceived, it was unlikely it was going to work. But we went into it with the spirit of optimism, and we did the best with them, within the parameters within which we would be prepared to work. We weren't going to use live drum kits and stuff, and that probably made it a no go from the start. I have no idea why we were working with Judas Priest really, but I think we made a good fist of a heavy metal song. I think it sounded alright."<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 41: Looking Back with Matt Aitken on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep-41-looking-back-with-matt-aitken/id1565879477?i=1000583585235 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-AU}}</ref> The tracks were ultimately not included on this album due to a management decision.

A reviewer has called ''Ram It Down'' a "stylistic evolution" that resulted from the band's "attempt to rid themselves of the tech synthesiser approach&nbsp;... and return to the traditional metal of their fading glory days". The reviewer argued the album showed "how far behind they were lagging&nbsp;... the [[thrash metal|thrashers]] they helped influence" in earlier years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kickedintheface.com/reviews/Judas_Priest-Ram_It_Down.htm |title= Judas Priest – Ram It Down |website=Kickedintheface.com |access-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206174526/http://www.kickedintheface.com/reviews/Judas_Priest-Ram_It_Down.htm |archive-date=6 December 2009}}</ref> In 1989, longtime drummer Dave Holland left the band.

In September 1990, the ''[[Painkiller (Judas Priest album)|Painkiller]]'' album used a new drummer, [[Scott Travis]] (formerly from [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]]), who gave the band an edgier sound thanks to his heavy use of double pedals. This comeback album also dropped the 1980s-style synthesisers for all songs except "[[A Touch of Evil]]". The tour used bands such as [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]], [[Megadeth]], [[Pantera]], [[Sepultura]] and [[Testament (band)|Testament]] as opening bands, and culminated in the [[Rock in Rio]] performance in Brazil in front of 100,000+ fans.

Part of the Judas Priest stage show often featured Halford riding onstage on a [[Harley-Davidson]] motorbike, dressed in motorcycle leathers and sunglasses. During a Toronto show in August 1991, Halford was seriously injured as he rode on stage, when he collided with a drum riser hidden behind clouds of dry ice mist. Though the show was delayed, he performed the set before going to a hospital. Hill later noted "he must have been in agony". In a 2007 interview, Halford said the accident had nothing to do with his departure from the band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/spotlights/story.html?id=b78b4958-bf9c-4d93-85b8-16ed6546e29d|title=Q&A; with Rob Halford |date=17 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117224416/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/spotlights/story.html?id=b78b4958-bf9c-4d93-85b8-16ed6546e29d|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-date=17 January 2008}}</ref>

==== Subliminal message trial ====
In 1990, Judas Priest was the subject of civil action in the United States which alleged that the band was responsible for an incident in [[Sparks, Nevada]], in 1985 in which 20-year-old James Vance and 18-year-old Raymond Belknap shot themselves.<ref name="trial">{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Timothy |date=November–December 1996 |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/1996/11/scientific-consensus-and-expert-testimony-lessons-from-the-judas-priest-trial/ |title=Scientific Consensus and Expert Testimony: Lessons from the Judas Priest Trial |publisher=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |access-date =18 November 2006}}</ref> On the evening of 23 December 1985, Vance and Belknap went to a church playground with a [[12-gauge]] shotgun with the purpose of committing suicide. They had consumed [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] and [[Cannabis|marijuana]] earlier that evening. The lawsuit alleged that the pair had been listening to Judas Priest's 1978 album ''[[Stained Class]]'' that night. Belknap was the first to place the shotgun under his chin, and died instantly after pulling the trigger. Some time later, Vance also shot himself, but succeeded only in disfiguring himself by blowing away the lower half of his face. Vance died three years later of a suspected drug overdose.<ref name="LATimes">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-01-mn-828-story.html|title=Man Who Sued Rock Group Over Suicide Attempt Dies|date=1 December 1988|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

The Belknap and Vance families sued Judas Priest and its members, alleging that the band had embedded [[subliminal message]]s such as "try suicide", "do it" and "let's be dead" in the band's cover of the 1969 [[Spooky Tooth]] song "[[Better by You, Better than Me]]". Judas Priest had recorded the cover at the urging of their record company after the rest of ''Stained Class'' had been completed. The plaintiffs alleged that this subliminal command was the trigger which led directly to the pair deciding to shoot themselves.<ref name="trial" /> Vance's parents said that their son had been troubled for a long time prior to the suicide pact, but had recently "changed for the better" and had re-embraced his family's [[Christianity|Christian faith]] before the "garbage music" of Judas Priest had again led him astray.<ref name="trial" />

Local fans of heavy metal protested during the trial, calling for Judas Priest to be exonerated. The plaintiffs played the song at various speeds and backward, alleging the use of [[backmasking]].<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Rolling Stone |title=Judas Priest's Subliminal Message Trial: Rob Halford Looks Back |date=August 24, 2015 |first=Kory |last=Grow |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/judas-priests-subliminal-message-trial-rob-halford-looks-back-57552/}}</ref> The trial lasted from 16 July to 24 August 1990, when the judge dismissed the lawsuit on the basis that the so-called subliminal message "was a coincidental convergence of a guitar chord with an exhalation pattern".<ref name="trial" /> One of the defense witnesses, Dr. Timothy E. Moore, wrote an article for ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' chronicling the trial.<ref name="trial" /> The trial was covered in a 1991 documentary film, ''Dream Deceivers: The Story Behind James Vance Vs. Judas Priest''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan|first=Patricia |date=August 2, 1992|title='DREAM DECEIVERS': THE STORY BEHIND THE LAWSUIT AGAINST JUDAS PRIEST |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1992/08/02/dream-deceivers-the-story-behind-the-lawsuit-against-judas-priest/e23d38ba-dd74-4da8-9d4c-ce829488824d/}}</ref>

===Halford's departure and Ripper years (1991–2003)===
After the ''Painkiller'' tour ended in August 1991, there were indications of internal tensions within the band. Halford went on to form a street-style [[thrash metal]] group named [[Fight (band)|Fight]], with Scott Travis on drums for the recording sessions. He formed this band to explore new musical territory, but due to contractual obligations, he remained with Judas Priest until May 1992.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://members.firstinter.net/markster/WAROFWORDS.html |title=War of Words Info Page |publisher=Judas Priest Info Pages|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205181115/http://members.firstinter.net/markster/WAROFWORDS.html|archive-date=5 February 2007}}</ref> In his 2020 memoir ''Confess'', Halford blamed his departure on a "miscommunication", rather than an intentional desire to quit the band.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gary Graff |date=5 October 2020 |title=Judas Priest 'Metal God' Rob Halford talks music, addiction, sexuality & more in new 'Confess' memoir |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/judas-priest-metal-god-rob-halford-talks-music-addiction-sexuality-more-in-new-confess-memoir.html |website=cleveland.com |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>

Halford collaborated with Judas Priest in the release of a compilation album entitled ''[[Metal Works '73–'93]]'' to commemorate their 20th anniversary. He also appeared in a video by the same title, documenting their history, in which his departure from the band was officially announced later that year.

[[File:Judas Priest avec Tim Owens, Paris 2002.jpg|thumb|Judas Priest performing in 2002, with Tim Owens (center) fronting the band]]
The remaining members of Judas Priest spent the next few years searching for a replacement for Halford. Known singers who auditioned for, or were offered to join, the band during this period include [[Steve Grimmett]] ([[Grim Reaper (band)|Grim Reaper]], [[Lionsheart]] and ex-[[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivier |title=Steve Grimmett recalls trying to get the singer gigs in Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in the '90s |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/steve-grimmett-recalls-trying-to-get-the-singer-gigs-in-iron-maiden-and-judas-priest-in-the-90s/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=sleazeroxx.com |date=19 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> [[Ralf Scheepers]] ([[Primal Fear (band)|Primal Fear]] and ex-[[Gamma Ray (band)|Gamma Ray]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=PRIMAL FEAR Vocalist Ralf Scheepers - "I Was Never Invited To Rehearse With JUDAS PRIEST" |url=https://bravewords.com/news/primal-fear-vocalist-ralf-scheepers-i-was-never-invited-to-rehearse-with-judas-priest |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]] |date=6 February 2012 |language=en}}</ref> [[Whitfield Crane]] ([[Ugly Kid Joe]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |title=Whitfield Crane Claims He Was Offered Judas Priest Gig |url=https://loudwire.com/whitfield-crane-offered-judas-priest-gig/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]] |date=8 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> former [[Accept (band)|Accept]] singer [[David Reece]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=DAVID REECE On His Time With ACCEPT: 'That Was An Opportunity Of A Lifetime' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/david-reece-on-his-time-with-accept-that-was-an-opportunity-of-a-lifetime |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=27 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and a then-unknown [[Devin Townsend]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=kalu15051 |title=Devin Townsend Says He Was Invited to Audition for Judas Priest, Reveals Why He Declined |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/devin_townsend_says_he_was_invited_to_audition_for_judas_priest_reveals_why_he_declined.html |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Tim "Ripper" Owens]] (who had previously sung in [[Winter's Bane]] and a Judas Priest [[tribute band]] called British Steel) was hired in 1996 as Judas Priest's new singer. This line-up released two studio albums, ''[[Jugulator]]'' in 1997 (in 1999, the song "[[Bullet Train (song)|Bullet Train]]" was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-23 |title=Judas Priest |url=https://www.recordingacademy.com/grammys/artists/judas-priest/10609 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=RecordingAcademy.com |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>) and ''[[Demolition (Judas Priest album)|Demolition]]'' in 2001. A considerable stylistic departure from prior releases, the former has been characterised as [[groove metal]] and the latter as [[nu metal]], both receiving mixed reviews.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}} The line-up also gave rise to two live double-albums – ''[['98 Live Meltdown]]'' (1998) and ''[[Live in London (Judas Priest album)|Live in London]]'' (2003), the latter of which had a live DVD counterpart.

In a February 1998 interview on [[MTV]], Halford [[came out]] as gay.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429870/19980205/halford_rob.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008083600/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429870/19980205/halford_rob.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 October 2008 |date=5 February 1998 |title=Rob Halford Discusses Sexuality Publicly for the First Time |publisher=[[MTV News]] |access-date=24 May 2010}}</ref>

=== Reunion and ''Angel of Retribution'' (2003–2006) ===
[[File:Judas Priest Retribution 2005 Tour.jpg|thumb|left|The reunited Judas Priest performing in 2005]]

After eleven years apart, faced with an ever-growing demand for a reunion, Judas Priest and Rob Halford announced they would reunite in July 2003, to coincide with the release of the ''[[Metalogy]]'' box set (despite Halford's earlier insistence that he "would never do it"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/halford_int.htm |title=Interview with Rob Halford of Two |publisher=NY Rock |access-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907132550/http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/halford_int.htm |archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>). They did a concert tour in Europe in 2004, and co-headlined the 2004 [[Ozzfest]], being named as the "premier act" by almost all US media coverage of the event. Judas Priest and "Ripper" Owens parted amicably, with Owens joining American heavy metal band [[Iced Earth]].

A new studio album, ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'', was released on 1 March 2005 (US) on [[Sony Music]]/[[Epic Records]] to critical and commercial success, earning the band a 2005 [[Metal Hammer]] Golden Gods Award for Best Album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=14029 |title=Metal Hammer Award Winners Announced |website=Metalunderground.com |access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> A global tour in support of the album ensued. As for the band Halford, writing for the fourth release was cut off. After the Retribution tour in June 2006, however, Halford announced he would create his own record company, Metal God Entertainment, where he would release all his solo material under his own control. In November 2006 he remastered his back catalogue and released it exclusively through [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] [[iTunes Store]]. Two new songs allegedly set for the fourth release, "Forgotten Generation" and "Drop Out", were released through iTunes as well.

[[File:JudasPriest.jpg|thumb|Judas Priest in typical [[Heavy metal fashion|heavy metal attire]] performing at the [[VH1 Rock Honors]] in Las Vegas on 25 May 2006.]]
Along with [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] and [[Def Leppard]], Judas Priest was an inaugural inductee into the "[[VH1 Rock Honors]]".<ref name="VH1 rock" /> The ceremony took place on 25 May 2006 in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]], Nevada, and first aired on 31 May.<ref name="VH1 rock">{{Cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/2006/honorees.jhtml?honoree=2 |title= VH1.com: Rock Honors 2006 - Honorees: Judas Priest |date=31 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331094623/http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_honors/2006/honorees.jhtml?honoree=2 |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=31 March 2009}}</ref> Their presentation was preceded by [[Godsmack]] performing a medley of "[[Electric Eye (song)|Electric Eye]]"/"[[Victim of Changes (song)|Victim of Changes]]"/"[[Hell Bent for Leather (song)|Hell Bent for Leather]]." Judas Priest then played "[[Breaking the Law]]", "[[The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)]]" and "[[You've Got Another Thing Comin'|You've Got Another Thing Comin{{'-}}]]", before which Halford rode a [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycle onstage.

=== ''Nostradamus'' (2006–2010) ===
In a June 2006 interview with MTV.com, Halford said of the group's concept album about the 16th-century French writer [[Nostradamus]], "Nostradamus is all about metal, isn't he? He was an alchemist as well as a seer – a person of extraordinary talent. He had an amazing life that was full of trial and tribulation and joy and sorrow. He's a very human character and a world-famous individual. You can take his name and translate it into any language and everybody knows about him, and that's important because we're dealing with a worldwide audience."<ref name="roadrunnerrecords.com">{{cite news |title=Work on New Album Is 'Going Incredibly Well' |date=12 September 2006 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=58296 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=18 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000721/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=58296 |archive-date=1 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to digging new lyrical ground for the band, the album would contain musical elements which might surprise fans. "It's going to have a lot of depth", Halford said. "There'll be a lot of symphonic elements. We might orchestrate it, without it being overblown. There may be a massive choir at parts and keyboards will be featured more prominently, whereas they've always been in the background before."<ref name="roadrunnerrecords.com" /> The album ''[[Nostradamus (album)|Nostradamus]]'' was released in June 2008; the band began a support tour in that same month.<ref>{{cite web| last=Saulnier| first=Jason| date=16 April 2011| title=Rob Halford Interview, Judas Priest Singer talks Rare Recordings| publisher=Music Legends| url=http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/rob-halford-interview/| access-date=3 May 2013| archive-date=4 August 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804040820/http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/rob-halford-interview/| url-status=dead}}</ref>

In early February 2009, the band joined the ranks of bands speaking out against ticket-touting ("scalping"), issuing a statement condemning the practice of selling tickets at well above face value, and urging fans to buy tickets only from official sources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judas Priest Issues Warning About Ticket Prices|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/64383/judas_priest|access-date=13 February 2009|date=12 February 2009|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref> In the same month, Judas Priest continued their tour, bringing their "Priest Feast" (with guests [[Megadeth]] and [[Testament (band)|Testament]]) to multiple arenas in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland in February and March 2009. From there the tour progressed to multiple venues in Sweden. Later in March, Judas Priest performed in Portugal (at Lisbon on the Atlantic Pavilion), which they had not visited since 2005. The tour then continued to [[Milan]], Italy, and then Paris, France; Halford had last performed with Judas Priest in Paris in 1991.

[[File:Judas Priest Sweden Rock 2008.jpg|thumb|Judas Priest headlined the [[Sweden Rock Festival]] in June 2008.]]
From June through August 2009, Judas Priest completed a North American tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of ''[[British Steel (album)|British Steel]]'' (1980); the album was performed in its entirety on each tour date, with some other songs thrown in. This tour was to be a joint effort with fellow Englishman [[David Coverdale]] and [[Whitesnake]]. Unfortunately, Whitesnake would have to leave the tour after the show in Denver, Colorado on 11 August 2009 due to Coverdale falling ill with a serious throat infection; he was advised to stop singing immediately to avoid permanently damaging his vocal cords.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=2A15DF96-5A35-4777-8ED8-46B113F97448 |title=Message from Judas Priest after US Tour |publisher=Judaspriest.com |date=24 August 2009 |access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=4FC150D2-BF3F-49DA-B9A0-ADBAB3A12448 |title=Whitesnake tour announcement |publisher=Judaspriest.com |date=13 August 2009 |access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref>

On 14 July 2009, Judas Priest released a new live album, featuring 11 previously unreleased live tracks from the 2005 and 2008 world tours, titled ''[[A Touch of Evil: Live]]''. The performance of "[[Dissident Aggressor]]" won the 2010 [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=1A7722C1-AC84-4388-9BB9-D73085FE0401 |title=Judas Priest Grammy Nomination for Dissident Aggressor |publisher=Judaspriest.com |date=4 December 2009 |access-date=7 November 2010}}</ref>

In May 2010, Halford said the band had been offered a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but "we've just never been there when they wanted to do the ceremony." He also revealed that a ''Nostradamus'' tour was still being contemplated: "We were in Hollywood recently and met with some producers and agents, so there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/2010/06/04/rob-halford-back-to-the-future/ |title=Rob Halford: Back To The Future |first=Bryan |last=Reesman |date=4 June 2010 |publisher=Attention Deficit Delirium |access-date=29 June 2010}}</ref>

=== Downing's retirement and Epitaph World Tour (2010–2011) ===
Judas Priest announced on 7 December 2010, that their [[Epitaph World Tour]] would be the band's farewell tour and would run up until 2012.<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|title=JUDAS PRIEST Announces Farewell 'Epitaph' Tour – Dec. 7, 2010|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=150501|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=8 December 2010|date=7 December 2010}}</ref> In a January 2011 interview, Halford said about the band's impending retirement: "I think it's time, you know. We're not the first band to say farewell, it's just the way everyone comes to at some point and we're gonna say a few more things early next year, so I think the main thing that we just want to ask everybody to consider is don't be sad about this, start celebrating and rejoicing over all the great things we've done in Judas Priest."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152181 |title=ROB HALFORD Doesn't Want Fans To Be Sad About JUDAS PRIEST's Upcoming Farewell Tour |access-date=13 January 2011 |date=11 January 2011 |work=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref>

[[File:Judas Priest, päälava, Sauna Open Air 2011, Tampere, 11.6.2011 (63).JPG|thumb|Judas Priest performing at the Sauna Open Air in 2011]]
On 27 January 2011, it was announced that Judas Priest were in the process of writing new material; the band also clarified their plans for the future, saying, "this is by no means the end of the band. In fact, we are presently writing new material, but we do intend this to be the last major world tour."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152891 |title=JUDAS PRIEST Working on New Material – Jan. 27, 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 |date=27 January 2011 |work=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles on 26 May of the new material Glenn Tipton said: "It's quite a mixed bag. Really, there's more sentiment on this album. In a way, I suppose, it's also our farewell album, although it might not be our last one. There are some anthems on there, which pay tribute to our fans".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158633 |title=JUDAS PRIEST: More Video Footage Of Los Angeles Press Conference – May 25, 2011 |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=3 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820094641/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158633 |archive-date=20 August 2011}}</ref>

On 20 April 2011, it was announced that K. K. Downing had retired from the band and would not complete the Epitaph World Tour. Downing cited differences with the band and the management, and a breakdown in their relationship. [[Richie Faulkner]], guitarist for [[Lauren Harris]]' band, was announced as his replacement for the Epitaph World Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=31894B27-BD13-43BA-84F0-6A11B4F9D835 |title=News – K.K. DOWNING retirement Press Release |publisher=JudasPriest.com |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> Downing's retirement left bassist Ian Hill as the longest-serving member of the band.

On 25 May 2011, Judas Priest played during the finale of [[American Idol (season 10)|''American Idol'' season 10]] with [[James Durbin (singer)|James Durbin]], making it their first live performance without K.K. Downing.<ref name="ai" /> The band played a mixture of two songs: "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law".<ref name="ai">{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158631 |title=JUDAS PRIEST Performs On 'American Idol' Finale; Video Available |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530044108/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158631 |archive-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 7 June 2011, the band announced that it planned to release the box set ''[[Single Cuts]]'', a collection of [[Single (music)|singles]], the following August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159102 |title=JUDAS PRIEST To Release 'Single Cuts' In August |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=7 June 2011 |access-date=11 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101946/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159102 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== ''Redeemer of Souls'' (2011–2015) ===
In an August 2011 interview with Billboard, Halford explained that he and Tipton had "about 12 or 14 tracks completely mapped out" for a new studio album, with four of those tracks already recorded and mixed.<ref name=Billboard2012Album>{{cite news |title=JUDAS PRIEST Singer Says '12 Or 14' Songs Have Been 'Completely Mapped Out' For Next Album |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162706 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201120955/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162706 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2013 |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=5 September 2011 }}</ref> The band made a point to take its time with the album, with Halford explaining "I'm of the attitude it'll be ready when it's ready&nbsp;... I don't think we're going to slack off. We're determined to do a lot of work and be just as dedicated as we've always been and take a lot of care and attention with all the songs. We're not going to just bang this one out, so to speak."<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480587/judas-priest-hints-at-new-music-for-2013/|title=Judas Priest Hints at New Music for 2013|magazine=Billboard|date=6 August 2012}}</ref>

On 13 September 2011, Priest announced its plans to release a new compilation album, ''[[The Chosen Few (Judas Priest album)|The Chosen Few]]'', a set of Priest songs chosen by other iconic heavy metal musicians.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/judas-priest-announce-new-compilation-album-20110912 |title= Judas Priest Announce New Compilation Album – Lars Ulrich, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper and more chose their favorite Priest songs for 'The Chosen Few' |date= 13 September 2011 |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date =13 September 2011}}</ref>

On 5 June 2013, Halford confirmed that the Epitaph World Tour would not be the band's final tour.<ref>{{cite web|title=JUDAS PRIEST's Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner Talk Epitaph, 40th Anniversary – "It's Not The End of Touring; We Are Still Going To Be Going Out There"|website=Bravewords.com|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/205213|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-date=12 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612011459/http://www.bravewords.com/news/205213|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 22 December, Judas Priest released a short Christmas message on their official website, which confirmed that they would be releasing their next album in 2014.<ref name=JudasChristmas>{{cite web|title=Official Judas Priest news: Christmas message|date=22 December 2013 |url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=94000EF1-7A72-4B07-B3FB-6E8163671705 |website=JudasPriest.com}}</ref>

On 17 March 2014 at the Ronnie James Dio Awards in Los Angeles, Halford announced that the band's 17th studio album was finished.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/rob-halford-new-judas-priest-album-finished-heavy/?trackback=tsmclip |title=Rob Halford: New Judas Priest Album Is 'Finished' and 'F—ing Heavy' |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |date=19 March 2014 |access-date=19 March 2014}}</ref> On 28 April, the band released the album's title track "Redeemer of Souls" for streaming on their official website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tappoutmusic.com/judas-priest-unveil-new-track-from-upcoming-album/ |title=Judas Priest Unveil New Track from Upcoming Album |publisher=Tapp Out Music |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106221037/http://www.tappoutmusic.com/judas-priest-unveil-new-track-from-upcoming-album/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 14 May 2014, the band's original guitarist Ernie Chataway died at the age of 62 from cancer, as reported by vocalist Al Atkins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/priest-guitarist-dies/|author=Deriso, Nick|title=ORIGINAL JUDAS PRIEST GUITARIST ERNIE CHATAWAY DIES OF CANCER|date=14 May 2014 |publisher=[[Ultimate Classic Rock|Townsquare Media]]|access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref> ''[[Redeemer of Souls]]'' was released on 8 July 2014. It sold around 32,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart, the band's highest charting position in the US after the double-disc concept album, ''Nostradamus'', debuted at No. 11. This was the band's first top 10 album in the US.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-lands-first-ever-top-10-album-in-u-s-with-redeemer-of-souls/ |title=Judas Priest Lands First Ever Top 10 Album in U.S. With 'Redeemer of Souls' |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=16 July 2014 |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> The band went on tour in support of the album which ran from 1 October 2014 until 17 December 2015. The Redeemer of Souls Tour led to the sixth live album ''[[Battle Cry (Judas Priest album)|Battle Cry]]'', which was released on 25 March 2016 after being recorded at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany on 1 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=ED4F0F58-0EDA-47BD-A73F-0C870E425238 |title=JUDAS PRIEST TO ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES IN SUPPORT OF 'REDEEMER OF SOULS' |publisher=judaspriest.com |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Judas Priest announces 2014 Tour Dates, Barclays Center, Izod Center, Atlantic City, FFF Fest & more included |website=Brooklynvegan.com |date=27 June 2014 |url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/06/judas_priest_an_1.html |access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://judas-priest.concerttournewshub.com/ |title=Judas Priest 2015 Redeemer of Souls Tour Schedule With Saxon |date=11 January 2015 |access-date=29 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124811/http://judas-priest.concerttournewshub.com/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

=== {{Anchor|Firepower}} ''Firepower'' and Tipton's retirement from touring (2015–2019) ===
[[File:Judas Priest at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco.jpg|thumb|Judas Priest performing at the [[Warfield Theatre]] in San Francisco on 19 April 2018, as part of the [[Firepower World Tour]], which featured [[Andy Sneap]] filling in for [[Glenn Tipton]] on guitar.]]

In a November 2015 interview with [[Reverb.com]], Richie Faulkner said that the band would start work on their eighteenth studio album in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reverb.com/news/spotlight-on-judas-priests-richie-faulkner|title=Spotlight on: Judas Priest's Richie Faulkner|author=Erickson, Anne|date=16 November 2015|publisher=[[Reverb.com]]|access-date=18 November 2015}}</ref> In April 2016, [[Loudwire]] posted a photo showing Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton and Faulkner himself in the studio beginning the process of the album,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-back-in-studio/|title=Judas Priest Are Back in the Studio|author=Hartmann, Graham|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> with Halford confirming in a radio interview that it would be ready by early 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/rob-halford-says-new-judas-priest-will-arrive-early-2017|title=Rob Halford Says New JUDAS PRIEST Will Arrive Early 2017|author=Huber, Nic|work=Metal Injection|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> During an interview at the 2016 edition of the [[Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp]], Halford expressed dissatisfaction on making an album similar to ''Redeemer of Souls''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rob-halford-interview-2016/|title=Judas Priest's Rob Halford Is 'Hell Bent' for Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp: Exclusive Interview|author=Wardlaw, Matt|date=28 April 2016 |publisher=[[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]]|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> Faulkner then stated that the band would begin recording in January 2017 and also said that they would not go on tour until 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-begin-recording-new-album-in-january-next-tour-to-start-in-2018/|title=JUDAS PRIEST To Begin Recording New Album In January; Next Tour To Start In 2018|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=2 November 2016}}</ref>

In March 2017, the band entered the studio to begin the recording process, with support from long time producer [[Tom Allom]], along with former [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]] guitarist and producer [[Andy Sneap]] and engineer Mike Exeter, who worked with the band on the previous album. This marked the first time since 1988's ''Ram It Down'' that they had worked with Allom.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-taps-producers-tom-allom-andy-sneap-for-new-album/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Taps Producers TOM ALLOM, ANDY SNEAP For New Album|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/see-first-photo-of-judas-priest-and-production-team-for-new-studio-album/|title=See First Photo Of JUDAS PRIEST And Production Team For New Studio Album|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref> In an April 2017 interview with [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]], Halford said that the band was "coming to some of the final moments" of completion of the new album. He also promised "a very exciting 2018 period" with a world tour taking place in 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/rob-halford-judas-priest-some-final-moments-recording-new-album-very-exciting-2018/|title=Rob Halford: Judas Priest Reach 'Some of the Final Moments' of Recording New Album, Promise 'Very Exciting 2018 Period'|author=Childers, Chad|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref> In an [[Instagram]] post in June 2017, Sneap said that the band completed tracking.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-just-about-done-tracking-new-album/|title=Judas Priest 'Just About Done' Tracking 18th Studio Album|author=Divita, Joe|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>

The eighteenth album, ''[[Firepower (Judas Priest album)|Firepower]]'', was released on 9 March 2018, with a [[Firepower World Tour|world tour]] taking place thereafter, beginning in North America with [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]] and [[Black Star Riders]] as their support acts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-release-firepower-album-north-american-tour-announced/|title=JUDAS PRIEST To Release 'Firepower' Album; North American Tour Announced|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=23 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/saxon-and-black-star-riders-to-support-judas-priest-on-firepower-north-american-tour/|title=SAXON And BLACK STAR RIDERS To Support JUDAS PRIEST On 'Firepower' North American Tour|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=23 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-listen-to-audio-sample-of-firepower-title-track/|title=JUDAS PRIEST: Listen To Audio Sample Of 'Firepower' Title Track|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref>

On 12 February 2018, Glenn Tipton revealed that he had [[Parkinson's disease]] and would step down from touring. According to the band, the disease's progression left him unable to play the more challenging material. Tipton stated that he was still a member of the band despite his diagnosis and did not rule out future on-stage appearances. Andy Sneap was then announced as his replacement for the tour.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/12/judas-priest-glenn-tipton-parkinsons-disease |title=Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton diagnosed with Parkinson's disease |last=Snapes |first=Laura |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=2018-02-12 |access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> Richie Faulkner later assured fans that Tipton would perform with the band "at some point in the tour."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-richie-faulkner-well-see-glenn-tipton-on-stage-again/|title=JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER: 'We'll See GLENN TIPTON On Stage Again'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=1 March 2018}}</ref> At the 20 March 2018 show in [[Newark, New Jersey]], Tipton joined the band on stage to perform "Metal Gods", "[[Breaking the Law]]" and "[[Living After Midnight]]", then "[[Victim of Changes (song)|Victim of Changes]]" and "No Surrender" on later dates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/glenn-tipton-judas-priest-onstage/|title=GLENN TIPTON JOINS JUDAS PRIEST ONSTAGE|author=Lifton, Dave|publisher=[[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]]|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> He continued to appear for encores throughout the remainder of the [[Firepower World Tour]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-tipton-on-his-future-role-with-judas-priest-its-a-question-that-i-cant-really-answer/|title=GLENN TIPTON On His Future Role With JUDAS PRIEST: 'It's A Question That I Can't Really Answer'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/bassist-ian-hill-on-maintaining-the-firepower-of-judas-priest/Content?oid=14932358|author=Jordan, Jerilyn|title=Bassist Ian Hill on maintaining the firepower of Judas Priest|newspaper=[[Detroit Metro Times]]|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2019/06/04/theres-no-slowing-judas-priest-confesses-band-founder-ian-hill/|author=Beeber, Al|title=There's no slowing Judas Priest, confesses band founder Ian Hill|website=[[Lethbridge Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023035920/https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2019/06/04/theres-no-slowing-judas-priest-confesses-band-founder-ian-hill/ |archive-date=23 October 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 29 January 2019, Judas Priest's European tour with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] was cancelled after Osbourne experienced a severe upper-[[Respiratory tract infection|respiratory infection]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/ozzy-osbourne-european-tour-cancel/|author=Darus, Alex|title=OZZY OSBOURNE CANCELS ENTIRE EUROPEAN LEG OF TOUR DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES|magazine=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> The band later confirmed that the tour was rescheduled to 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-confirms-it-will-be-part-of-ozzy-osbournes-rescheduled-european-tour-in-2020/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Confirms It Will Be Part Of OZZY OSBOURNE's Rescheduled European Tour In 2020|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=7 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-rescheduled-2020-european-tour-judas-priest/|author=Divita, Joe|title=Ozzy Osbourne Announces Rescheduled 2020 European Tour Dates With Judas Priest|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=11 November 2019 |access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref>

=== 50th anniversary and ''Invincible Shield'' (2019–2024) ===
In a March 2019 interview with Australia's ''May the Rock Be with You'', Rob Halford stated that there would be a new studio album in the foreseeable future,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://maytherockbewithyou.com/mtrbwy/2019/03/rob-halford-of-judas-priest-video-interview/|author=Culpan, Troy|title=Rob Halford of Judas Priest (Video Interview)|website=maytherockbewithyou.com|accessdate=8 March 2019}}</ref> and that Tipton had already started composing riffs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2019/04/rob-halford-glenn-tipton-writing-riffs-next-judas-priest-album/|author=Kaufman, Spencer|title=Rob Halford: Glenn Tipton is already writing riffs for next Judas Priest album|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=19 April 2019}}</ref> Bassist Ian Hill said that the band had "some very strong ideas that were left out of ''Firepower'' which we never got around to completing. So it's very much on the cards. When that will happen, I don't know."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/interviews/interview-with-ian-hill/|author=Altaf, Rodrigo|title=IAN HILL of JUDAS PRIEST on the Follow Up to Firepower: "We Have a Lot of Unused Material that Was Very Solid and Could End up on Our Next Album"|website=Sonic Perspectives|date=23 April 2019|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> Despite Tipton's condition, Faulkner said that he would "very much be involved in the creation of the next record."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/richie_faulkner_calls_glenn_tiptons_guitar_playing_crucial_for_judas_priests_unique_sound_discusses_bands_creative_process_since_he_joined.html|author=Beckner, Justin|title=Richie Faulkner Calls Glenn Tipton's Guitar Playing Crucial for Judas Priest's Unique Sound, Discusses Band's Creative Process Since He Joined|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=22 June 2019}}</ref> Halford said that the band began compiling ideas for the next album, but said that ''Firepower'' would be difficult to top.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/10/rob-halford-holiday-album-interview/|author=Kaufman, Spencer|title=Rob Halford on His New Holiday Album, Rocking With His Family, and Ozzy Osbourne's "Fantastic Voice"|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=17 October 2019|access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref>

The writing sessions began in February 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-has-a-ton-of-ideas-for-judas-priests-next-album/|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Has 'A Ton Of Ideas' For JUDAS PRIEST's Next Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=16 January 2020|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/glenn-tipton-rob-halford-and-richie-faulkner-are-working-on-music-for-next-judas-priest-album/|title=GLENN TIPTON, ROB HALFORD And RICHIE FAULKNER Are Working On Music For Next JUDAS PRIEST Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 February 2020|access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> with Andy Sneap and Tom Allom returning to contribute to the album's production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-re-team-with-firepower-production-team-for-upcoming-album/|title=JUDAS PRIEST To Re-Team With 'Firepower' Producers On Upcoming Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=7 May 2020|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> Faulkner said that a month's worth of songs was written prior to the [[COVID-19 lockdowns]], and that the band would eventually begin composing material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-richie-faulkner-weve-got-a-bunch-of-songs-for-next-studio-album/|title=JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER: 'We've Got A Bunch Of Songs' For Next Studio Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=2 July 2020|access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref> Halford said that Tipton contributed material during the writing process,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/glenn-tipton-is-contributing-to-the-new-judas-priest-album|author=Kennelty, Greg|title=Glenn Tipton Is Contributing To The New JUDAS PRIEST Album|website=Metal Injection|date=26 September 2020|access-date=26 September 2020}}</ref> describing the songs as "monsters. Even in a very, very rough, primitive stage, they're great — they're really, really good."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-new-judas-priest-songs-are-monsters-even-in-a-very-rough-primitive-stage-theyre-great/|title=ROB HALFORD Says New JUDAS PRIEST Songs Are 'Monsters': 'Even In A Very Rough, Primitive Stage, They're Great'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=2 October 2020|access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> He explained that the album would capture "the emotion of what we're going through together."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/judas-priest-frontman-rob-halford-talks-about-his-new-memoir-confess-11503179|author=Wise, Lauren|title=Rob Halford on His New Memoir, Plans for Judas Priest, and the Power of Hugs|website=[[Phoenix New Times]]|date=14 October 2020|access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref>

Judas Priest were originally scheduled to embark on the 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour in 2020 in Europe and North America, but was pushed back to 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/judas-priest-reportedly-rescheduling-european-leg-of-anniversary-tour|author=Kennelty, Greg|title=JUDAS PRIEST Reportedly Rescheduling European Leg Of Anniversary Tour|website=Metal Injection|date=24 April 2020|access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-reschedules-50-heavy-metal-years-european-tour-for-2021/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Reschedules '50 Heavy Metal Years' European Tour For 2021|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=15 May 2020|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-reschedules-50-heavy-metal-years-u-s-tour-for-summer-fall-2021/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Reschedules '50 Heavy Metal Years' U.S. Tour For Summer/Fall 2021|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 July 2020|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2022/03/07/judas-priests-rob-halford-talks-delayed-50th-anniversary-tour-new-music-and-all-that-leather/|author=Guzman, Richard|title=Judas Priest's Rob Halford talks delayed 50th anniversary tour, new music and all that leather|website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> however, due to its continued presence, the European leg was pushed back to 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nextmosh.com/ozzy-osbourne-judas-priest-uk-european-tour-rescheduled/|author=NextMosh Staff|title=Judas Priest + Ozzy Osbourne UK/European tour rescheduled to 2022|website=NextMosh|date=17 October 2020|access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref> They returned to the stage on 15 August 2021 as they headlined the [[Bloodstock Open Air]] festival, once again rejoined by Tipton for the encore songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-rejoined-by-guitarist-glenn-tipton-for-bands-first-performance-in-more-than-two-years-video/|title=JUDAS PRIEST Rejoined By Guitarist GLENN TIPTON For Band's First Performance In More Than Two Years (Video)|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=16 August 2021|access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/watch-judas-priests-entire-bloodstock-open-air-2021-performance/|title=Watch JUDAS PRIEST's Entire BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2021 Performance|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=17 August 2021|access-date=17 August 2021}}</ref> As the tour began on 8 September,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-kicks-off-north-american-50-heavy-metal-years-tour-in-reading-pennsylvania-video/#:~:text=In%20early%20April%2C%20JUDAS%20PRIEST's,%2C%202022%20in%20Oberhausen%2C%20Germany.|title=JUDAS PRIEST Kicks Off North American '50 Heavy Metal Years' Tour In Reading, Pennsylvania (Video)|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=9 September 2021|access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref> the remainder of the US tour was postponed as Faulkner was hospitalized for major medical heart condition issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/judas-priest-postpone-us-tour-richie-faulkner-hospitalised-with-heart-problems|author=Lewry, Fraiser|title=Judas Priest postpone US tour, Richie Faulkner hospitalised with heart problems|website=[[Louder Sound]]|date=27 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021}}</ref> It was rescheduled for the spring of 2022 with [[Queensrÿche]] as their support band,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/11/28/judas-priest-announce-rescheduled-50th-anniversary-tour-with-queensryche/|author=Metalsucks|title=Judas Priest Announce Rescheduled 50th Anniversary Tour with Queensryche [UPDATED]|website=[[MetalSucks]]|date=28 November 2021|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref> while the European leg with Ozzy Osbourne was rescheduled for 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-again-postpones-tour-with-judas-priest-announces-2023-dates/|author=Trapp, Philip|title=Ozzy Osbourne Again Postpones Tour With Judas Priest, Announces 2023 Dates|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=24 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> However, Osbourne cancelled all shows for that year for health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/ozzy-osbourne-cancel-2023-tour-judas-priest/|author=Trapp, Philip|title=Ozzy Osbourne Cancels 2023 Tour, Says His Touring Days 'Have Ended'|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=February 2023 |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>

On 29 April 2021, former drummer John Hinch died at the age of 73, as confirmed by Halford on [[Instagram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-hinch-judas-priest-dead/|title=Rob Halford Confirms Death of Former Judas Priest Drummer|author=Irwin, Corey|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|access-date=29 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/k-k-downing-pays-tribute-to-former-judas-priest-drummer-john-hinch-he-was-always-so-dependable/|title=K.K. DOWNING Pays Tribute To Former JUDAS PRIEST Drummer JOHN HINCH: He 'Was Always So Dependable'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=30 April 2021|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> When speaking about the upcoming album, Halford said that the band had "a bunch of great new ideas for tracks, lots of really strong demos", describing it as being "a very potent record".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-judas-priest-is-working-on-very-potent-new-album-weve-got-a-bunch-of-great-ideas/|title=ROB HALFORD Says JUDAS PRIEST Is Working On 'Very Potent' New Album: 'We've Got A Bunch Of Great Ideas'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 May 2021|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> Ian Hill said that there was enough material for at least an album or two,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/judas-priest-ian-hill-at-least-album-or-two-new-material/|author=Childers, Chad|title=Judas Priest's Ian Hill – 'There's at Least an Album or Two of New Material'|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref> expressing doubt that it would be released before 2023 due to the band's tour schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ian-hill-doesnt-think-next-judas-priest-album-will-arrive-before-2023/|title=IAN HILL Doesn't Think Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Will Arrive Before 2023|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=22 September 2021|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> Halford confirmed Tipton's appearance on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/glenn-tipton-judas-priest-next-album|author=Maxwell, Jackson|title=Glenn Tipton will play on the next Judas Priest album, Rob Halford confirms|website=[[Guitar World]]|date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref>

In January 2022, Judas Priest announced the departure of Andy Sneap as he would shift his focus on his production work while the band continued as a quartet;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/judas-priest-to-tour-as-quartet-as-andy-sneap-refocuses-on-his-production-work|title=Judas Priest to tour as quartet as Andy Sneap refocuses on his production work|author=Brannigan, Paul|website=[[Louder Sound]]|date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> however, the decision was retracted and he was reinstated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/andy-sneap-says-judas-priests-decision-to-become-a-four-piece-is-incredibly-disappointing|author=Lewry, Fraser|title=Andy Sneap says Judas Priest's decision to become a four-piece is "incredibly disappointing"|website=[[Louder Sound]]|access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/judas-priest-reverse-decision-to-remove-guitarist-andy-sneap-from-touring-line-up-3138469|author=Lavin, Will|title=Judas Priest reverse decision to remove guitarist Andy Sneap from touring line-up|website=[[NME]]|date=16 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kk-downing-judas-priest-slap-in-the-face/|author=Wilkening, Matthew|title=K.K. Downing: Four-Piece Judas Priest Plan a 'Slap in the Face'|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/judas-priest-react-third-rock-roll-hall-fame-nomination-1235027161/|author=Graff, Gary|title=Judas Priest Say Third Nomination for Rock and Roll of Fame Is 'Still a Rush'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref> In regards to the album's musical direction, Faulkner and Halford said that it would take a more progressive approach than ''Firepower'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-some-material-judas-priest-is-working-on-for-next-album-is-a-bit-more-progressive-than-firepower|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Says Some Material JUDAS PRIEST Is Working On For Next Album Is 'A Bit More Progressive' Than 'Firepower'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=16 February 2022 |access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-next-judas-priest-album-will-probably-have-more-progressive-elements-than-firepower-did|title=ROB HALFORD Says Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Will 'Probably' Have More 'Progressive Elements' Than 'Firepower' Did|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=23 February 2022 |access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref> but Faulkner elaborated on its meaning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bravewords.com/news/judas-priest-s-upcoming-album-has-a-few-musical-turnarounds-that-firepower-doesn-t-have-but-that-doesn-t-make-it-a-rush-record-says-richie-faulkner|title=JUDAS PRIEST'S UPCOMING ALBUM HAS "A FEW MUSICAL TURNAROUNDS THAT FIREPOWER DOESN'T HAVE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT A RUSH RECORD," SAYS RICHIE FAULKNER|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|accessdate=16 November 2022 |author1=Bravewords }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-new-judas-priest-album-is-almost-complete-elaborates-on-lps-more-progressive-direction|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Says New JUDAS PRIEST Album Is 'Almost Complete', Elaborates On LP's 'More Progressive' Direction|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=26 March 2023 |accessdate=26 March 2023}}</ref> Tipton assured that it would be "what every Priest fan will want",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/glenn-tipton-interview-2022/|author=Wardlaw, Matt|title=Glenn Tipton Says Iron Maiden Are Influenced by Judas Priest|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|date=18 March 2022 |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> while explaining that the tracks may or may not fancy the fans’ taste, but expressed satisfaction in its sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2022/03/glenn-tipton-judas-priest-2022-interview/|author=Prato, Greg|title=Glenn Tipton on Judas Priest's 2022 Tour, Upcoming Album, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nomination, and More|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=31 March 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022}}</ref> Faulkner described it being different to ''Firepower''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-drums-for-next-judas-priest-album-have-already-been-recorded|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Says Drums For Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Have Already Been Recorded|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=30 March 2022 |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref> While the album was completely written, he said that "we need to record it properly and everything like that. So it's not really anywhere near done. But when it's done, it's done."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-new-judas-priest-album-is-completely-written-we-just-need-to-record-it-properly|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Says New JUDAS PRIEST Album Is Completely Written: We Just 'Need To Record It Properly'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=11 April 2022 |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> Halford indicated that it would not be released until 2023 or 2024,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/rob_halford_no_new_judas_priest_album_until_2023_or_2024.html|title=Rob Halford: No New Judas Priest Album Until 2023 or 2024|website=Ultimate-guitar.com|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref> but later confirmed its release for 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-next-judas-priest-album-will-arrive-in-2024-it-sounds-fing-amazing|title=ROB HALFORD Says Next JUDAS PRIEST Album Will Arrive In 2024: 'It Sounds F***ing Amazing'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=24 January 2023 |accessdate=24 January 2023}}</ref>

On 5 November 2022, Judas Priest were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] by [[Alice Cooper]] as they received the Musical Excellence Award. The other inductees included were former members K.K. Downing, Les Binks, and Dave Holland. The band performed a three-song set with Downing and Binks on stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kk-downing-judas-priest-rock-hall-reunion/|author=Graff, Gary|title=K.K. Downing Confirms He'll Play With Judas Priest at Rock Hall|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|date=14 October 2022 |accessdate=14 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/k-k-downing-is-ready-to-rock-with-judas-priest-at-tomorrows-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony|title=K.K. DOWNING Is 'Ready To Rock' With JUDAS PRIEST At Tomorrow's ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Induction Ceremony|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=4 November 2022 |accessdate=4 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/judas-priest-reunite-kk-downing-2022-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-ceremony/|author=Childers, Chad|title=Watch Judas Priest Reunite With K.K. Downing Live at 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=6 November 2022 |accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-manager-explains-why-richie-faulkner-wasnt-inducted-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame|title=JUDAS PRIEST's Manager Explains Why RICHIE FAULKNER Wasn't Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=11 November 2022 |accessdate=11 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/11/24/rob-halford-says-playing-with-k-k-downing-at-rock-hall-felt-like-he-was-always-there/|author=Keenan, Hesher|title=Rob Halford Says Playing with K.K. Downing at Rock Hall "Felt Like He Was Always There"|website=[[MetalSucks]]|date=24 November 2022 |accessdate=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-rob-halford-says-it-was-beautiful-to-see-dave-holland-inducted-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame|title=JUDAS PRIEST's ROB HALFORD Says 'It Was Beautiful' To See DAVE HOLLAND Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=24 December 2022 |accessdate=24 December 2022}}</ref> This was one of Binks' final public appearances before he died in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/former-judas-priest-drummer-les-binks-dead-at-73/|title=Former JUDAS PRIEST Drummer LES BINKS Dead At 73|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=April 14, 2025|date=April 14, 2025}}</ref>

Before the band's performance at the [[Power Trip (music festival)|Power Trip]] festival on 7 October 2023, they revealed their next album ''[[Invincible Shield]]'', which was released on 8 March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-release-new-studio-album-invincible-shield-in-march-2024|title=JUDAS PRIEST To Release New Studio Album, 'Invincible Shield', In March 2024|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=7 October 2023}}</ref> Its lead single "Panic Attack" was made available for streaming on 13 October.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-judas-priest-single-panic-attack-to-arrive-on-friday|title=New Judas Priest Single 'Panic Attack' To Arrive On Friday|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=8 October 2023|access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/hear-judas-priests-new-single-panic-attack-from-upcoming-invincible-shield-album|title=Hear JUDAS PRIEST's New Single 'Panic Attack' From Upcoming 'Invincible Shield' Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=13 October 2023}}</ref> The album's second single "Trial by Fire" was released on 17 November 2023,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-releases-music-video-for-latest-single-trial-by-fire|title=JUDAS PRIEST Releases Music Video For Latest Single 'Trial By Fire'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=29 November 2023}}</ref> followed in January 2024 by "Crown of Horns" and a month later by "The Serpent and the King".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-shares-another-new-song-crown-of-horns-from-upcoming-invincible-shield-album|title=JUDAS PRIEST Shares Another New Song, 'Crown Of Horns', From Upcoming 'Invincible Shield' Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=19 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-releases-music-video-for-the-serpent-and-the-king-from-upcoming-invincible-shield-album|title=JUDAS PRIEST Releases Music Video For 'The Serpent And The King' From Upcoming 'Invincible Shield' Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

=== Upcoming twentieth studio album (2024–present) ===
In a February 2024 interview with Audio Ink Radio, guitarist [[Richie Faulkner]] was asked if Judas Priest had "many more albums left" in them. His reply was, "I know personally, whenever we kind of put the writing sessions to bed and we finish the writing and everything, I always feel spent. I'm out of ideas. I've got nothing left, I've given everything to it. Where the hell am I gonna get more ideas from if we choose to do another record? But somehow they always, over the next couple of years, you start banking new riffs and melodies and stuff, and somehow you get a new ones. So you never know what the future holds."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/will-judas-priest-make-any-more-albums-after-invincible-shield-richie-faulkner-responds|title=Will Judas Priest Make Any More Albums After 'Invincible Shield'? Richie Faulkner Responds|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=1 March 2024|access-date=2 March 2024}}</ref> When commenting on the possibility of a twentieth studio album, Halford said that "it's inevitable there will be something else."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halford-says-its-inevitable-that-there-will-be-another-judas-priest-studio-album|title=Rob Halford Says It's 'Inevitable' That There Will Be Another Judas Priest Studio Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=16 September 2024|access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>

In an October 2024 interview with [[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC.com]], Faulkner was asked if Judas Priest were going to continue touring in 2025 or planning to hit the studio to write and record another album. His reply was, "I think a bit of both, really. These tours tend to grow and evolve over time — the more we do, we get more offers from different territories and stuff — so I'm sure there'll be more touring. And there's always ideas coming up, there's always creative juices flowing. So if we're able, we might be able to get in and put some ideas together and see where we are. Is there another record? I know we've got ideas coming up all the time — riffs and melodies and song ideas and stuff. We're creative people — as a group of creative people, that's gonna happen. So I think, hopefully if we get some time early next year, we'll be able to pool those ideas and see what we've got and then hopefully hit the road again somewhere else."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-weve-got-ideas-coming-up-all-the-time-for-new-judas-priest-music|title=Richie Faulkner: 'We've Got Ideas Coming Up All The Time' For New Judas Priest Music|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 November 2024|access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref>

In a March 2025 interview with PowerOfMetal.cl, Faulkner said that the band began talks regarding the next album; both him and drummer Scott Travis hoping to begin work in 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/richie-faulkner-says-judas-priest-has-already-talked-about-follow-up-to-invincible-shield-well-have-to-wait-and-see|title=RICHIE FAULKNER Says JUDAS PRIEST Has Already Talked About Follow-Up To 'Invincible Shield': 'We'll Have To Wait And See'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=April 2025 |accessdate=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/scott-travis-judas-priest-hopes-to-work-on-next-album-in-2026|title=SCOTT TRAVIS: JUDAS PRIEST Hopes To Work On Next Album In 2026|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=12 April 2025 |accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref> On 15 March 2025, former drummer Les Binks died at the age of 73.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-judas-priest-drummer-les-binks-dies-band-issues-statement|title=Former JUDAS PRIEST Drummer LES BINKS Dies; Band Issues Statement|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=15 April 2025 |accessdate=15 April 2025}}</ref>

== Artistry ==
=== Musical style and influences ===
Judas Priest's style has always been rooted in heavy metal, and many of their albums reflect diverse aspects of the genre. Their debut album, ''[[Rocka Rolla]]'' (1974), is primarily rooted in heavy [[blues rock]]. According to Tim Hall of ''[[The Guardian]]'', "The early Judas Priest albums contained an eclectic mix of styles. Out-and-out rockers sat alongside acoustic ballads, the odd quirky cover and ambitious multi-part epics that owed as much to [[Queen (band)|Queen]] as to [[Black Sabbath]]."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/nov/30/judas-priest-10-of-the-best-rob-halford | title=Judas Priest – 10 of the best | work=The Guardian | first=Tim | last=Hall | date=30 November 2016 | access-date=4 September 2025}}</ref>

From their second album, ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'' (1976), through to their fourth, ''[[Stained Class]]'' (1978), the band's style was somewhat [[progressive music|progressive]], with complex guitar passages and poetic lyrics. Songs would often shift in dynamics and tempo, and the music was some of the heaviest of its day. ''[[Sin After Sin]]'' (1977) used a combination of [[double bass drum]] (or "double kick") and rapid 16th-note bass rhythms combined with rapid 16th-note guitar rhythms used by Black Sabbath, [[Venom (band)|Venom]], and [[Motörhead]] that came to define the genre.<ref name=Cope>{{cite book|author=Andrew Laurence Cope|title=Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music|date=28 January 2013|publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|isbn=978-1-4094-9398-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ft-hAgAAQBAJ&q=Dissident%20Aggressor&pg=PT139}}</ref> While the double-bass rhythms used by Judas Priest are generally measured and technical, the song "[[Dissident Aggressor]]" (from ''Sin After Sin'') pushed an increase in "tempo and aggression", which was later adopted by other bands with a much harder-edged approach.<ref name=Cope />

Starting with their fifth album, ''[[Killing Machine]]'' (1978), the band began to incorporate a more commercial, radio-friendly style to their music. ''[[British Steel (album)|British Steel]]'' (1980) has been referred to as the "record that, more than any other, codified what we mean by heavy metal".<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilkinson |first=Roy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/20/judas-priest-rob-halford-british-steel |title=How Judas Priest invented heavy metal |work=The Guardian |date=20 May 2010 |access-date=10 August 2014}}</ref> The lyrics and music were simplified, and this style prevailed up to their seventh album, ''[[Point of Entry]]'' (1981). With their eighth album, ''[[Screaming for Vengeance]]'' (1982), the band incorporated a balance of these two styles. This continued on ''[[Defenders of the Faith]]'' (1984). With the follow-up album, ''[[Turbo (Judas Priest album)|Turbo]]'' (1986), the band incorporated guitar synthesizers into its signature heavy metal sound. On ''[[Ram It Down]]'' (1988), the band retained some of the more commercial qualities of ''Turbo'' but also returned to some of the fast tempo heavy metal found on their earlier works. This fast-tempo style continued with ''[[Painkiller (Judas Priest album)|Painkiller]]'' (1990). ''[[Jugulator]]'' (1997) tried to incorporate some of the 1990s contemporary [[groove metal]] styles. ''[[Demolition (Judas Priest album)|Demolition]]'' (2001) has a more traditional heavy metal sound with [[nu metal]] elements. Following the return of Halford for ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' and ''[[Nostradamus (album)|Nostradamus]]'', the band returned to the style of its early albums.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Judas Priest {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/judas-priest-mn0000246611/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

Halford listened to and was influenced by [[Little Richard]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Janis Joplin]], and [[Robert Plant]] as a vocalist. He learned to push to the limits of his vocal abilities by their vocal demonstrations on record.<ref name="mastropolo">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/08/05/judas-priest-interview-redeemer-of-souls-rob-halford-tipton-faulkner-spinal-tap/#sthash.l0w4o4nf.YhqbnrCM.dpbs|title=Four Decades of Hellfire with Judas Priest (Interview) – Rock Cellar Magazine|date=5 August 2014|website=Rockcellarmagazine.com|first=Frank|last=Mastropolo|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221154255/http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/08/05/judas-priest-interview-redeemer-of-souls-rob-halford-tipton-faulkner-spinal-tap/#sthash.l0w4o4nf.YhqbnrCM.dpbs|archive-date=21 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He developed a powerful, operatic vocal style with an impressive range from lower throaty growls to ear-piercing high screams with strong [[vibrato]]. He was also a fan of [[Freddie Mercury]], referring to him as his ultimate hero.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/20/judas-priest-rob-halford-british-steel|title=How Judas Priest invented heavy metal|first=Roy|last=Wilkinson|date=20 May 2010|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>

=== Fashion ===
In addition to the sound, Judas Priest are also known for being revolutionary in [[heavy metal fashion]].<ref name="Bukszpan" /> In the band's early years, they dressed in hippie-style 1970s outfits, but as the decade drew to a close, the rise of punk rock made this look outdated, so the band began wearing simplified wardrobes on their 1978 tour. For the 1979 tour, Halford adopted his now-trademark leather-and-studs look, inspired by punk fashion and [[leather culture]]. The rest of the band adopted a similar style which became prominent at the time of their 1978 release, ''Killing Machine''. This style would go on to be adopted by many heavy metal bands in the early 1980s, especially those of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] and early [[black metal]] movements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hell Bent for Leather/Killing Machine Info Page| publisher=Judas Priest Info Pages |url=http://members.firstinter.net/markster/KILLINGMACHINE.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702171452/http://members.firstinter.net/markster/KILLINGMACHINE.html |archive-date=2 July 2007}}</ref> To this day, it is not uncommon to find metal artists and fans sporting such a look at concerts.

In a published quote on the back cover of [[K. K. Downing]]'s autobiography ''Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest'', Downing said that Judas Priest "had a bit of an identity crisis from the beginning. There was always a bit of a question mark about the band's look. To me, it never seemed to say anything—and in the earliest days of our career, I suppose I actually saw that as a good thing."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/k-k-downing-i-think-judas-priest-had-a-bit-of-an-identity-crisis-from-the-beginning/|title=K.K. DOWNING: 'I Think JUDAS PRIEST Had A Bit Of An Identity Crisis From The Beginning'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref>

Downing said he was the one who came up with the band's black-leather look back when he first started in the music business: "I had this Heavy Metal attitude inside of me. I had it all of my life. When I got into Judas Priest I knew I had a band that had a great name. I knew we were a great band ... but something was not quite complete. The leather and studs image came along and it all started to complete itself. We had the album cover with the razor blade ... and Heavy Metal was born, mate. I was a youngster and it came to me. Around 1976 is when it happened. The band took to it and got on with it, really."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=1284|author=Wright, Jeb|title=K.K. Downing – Wild Nights & Lots of Words!|publisher=classicrockrevisited.com}}</ref>

Although Halford adopted the gay leather fetish wear for the band's look, he stated that he "had no interest in [[S&M]], [[Dominance and submission|domination]] or the whole [[queer]] subcult of leather and chains" because he is a [[Conventional sex|vanilla]] gay man. He feels that fans of the era also did not suspect a homosexual or [[Kink (sexuality)|kink]] subtext in the leather-and-studs look.<ref>{{cite web |website=Rock and Roll Garage |title=Rob Halford recalls why Judas Priest started using leather |first=Rafael |last=Polcaro |date=December 10, 2020 |url=https://rockandrollgarage.com/rob-halford-recalls-why-judas-priest-started-using-leather/ }}</ref> After Halford's [[coming out]] as gay, modern listeners often identify Judas Priest as having queer themes in their lyrics and fashion.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 6, 2019 |website=Kerrang |first=Sam |last=Moore |title=We Need To Talk About The Queerness Of Judas Priest|url=https://www.kerrang.com/we-need-to-talk-about-the-queerness-of-judas-priest }}</ref>

== Legacy and influence==
Judas Priest have influenced a great deal of metal music since the late 1970s. The band's popularity and status as one of the exemplary and influential heavy metal bands has earned them the nickname "Metal Gods" from their [[Metal Gods|song of the same name]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Berelian |first=Essi |title=The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal |year=2005 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn= 1-84353-415-0 |page=172}}</ref> They were ranked by [[MTV]] as the second "Greatest Metal Band" of all time (after [[Black Sabbath]]), and [[VH1]] named them the 78th greatest artist of all time in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |work=MTVNews.com |title=The Greatest Metal Bands Of All Time – 2. Judas Priest |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index3.jhtml |publisher=MTV |date=9 March 2006 |access-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905065314/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index3.jhtml |archive-date=5 September 2011}}</ref> They were nominated for induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2018, but were passed over despite placing among the top five fan-voted nominees.<ref>{{cite news|author=Blabbermouth |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bon-jovi-to-join-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-judas-priest-fails-to-make-the-cut/ |title=BON JOVI To Join ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME; JUDAS PRIEST Fails To Make The Cut|work=Blabbermouth |date=13 December 2017|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> In May 2022, it was announced that the band were to be among the 2022 inductee class for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref name=":2" />

The band have sold over 50 million albums,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=JUDAS PRIEST Celebrates Over 50 Million Album Sales Worldwide |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-celebrates-over-50-million-album-sales-worldwide |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> including eleven top 30 albums in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wearesonylegacy.com/news/jas-priest-story-original-metal-gods |title=Story Original Judas Priest |access-date=11 January 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> In the United States, the band had eleven consecutive albums to be certified [[Music recording certification|gold]], [[RIAA certification|platinum]] or higher by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], starting with 1977's ''[[Sin After Sin]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.riaa.com/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Several metal bands have named themselves after classic era Judas Priest songs and albums, including [[Sinner (band)|Sinner]], [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]], [[Running Wild (band)|Running Wild]], [[Steeler (American band)|Steeler]] and Tyrant.

Judas Priest's music has been cited as both influential and inspirational to many bands, including [[Accept (band)|Accept]],<ref name="accept givememetal">{{cite web |title=Accept Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/heavymetaltrees/accept-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]],<ref name="annihilator radiometal">{{cite web |last1=Gricourt |first1=Nicolas |date=April 13, 2010 |title=Annihilator, interview with Jeff Waters |url=https://www.radiometal.com/article/annihilator-interview-with-jeff-waters-2,1573 |website=radiometal.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]],<ref name="national loudwire">{{cite magazine |date=January 30, 2016 |title=Anthrax Profiled in National Museum of American History |url=https://loudwire.com/anthrax-smithsonian-institute-national-museum-american-history/ |magazine=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> [[Cannibal Corpse]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal">{{cite web |title=Judas Priest Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/heavymetaltrees/judas-priest-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=28 July 2020 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]],<ref name="darkangel voicesfromthedarkside">{{cite web |title=Voices From The Darkside |url=https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interview/dark-angel/ |website=voicesfromthedarkside.de |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Death (metal band)|Death]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Death Angel]],<ref name="deathangel blabbermouth">{{cite web |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Death Angel's Mark Osegueda On Judas Priest's Rob Halford: 'He's My Biggest Inspiration' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/death-angels-mark-osegueda-on-judas-priests-rob-halford-hes-my-biggest-inspiration |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Def Leppard]],<ref name="def leppard loudersound">{{cite web |date=23 September 2023 |title="I said to my mates, 'Can you believe this record is going to come out on the same label as Thin Lizzy?'": the unlikely birth of Def Leppard and the story of their debut album On Through The Night |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/def-leppard-on-through-the-night-story-behind-album |website=loudersound.com |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]],<ref name="destruction ocweekly">{{cite web |date=May 24, 2012 |title=Destruction Explains the Legacy of Teutonic Metal |url=https://www.ocweekly.com/destruction-explains-the-legacy-of-teutonic-metal-6579245/ |website=[[OC Weekly]] |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Dokken]],<ref name="dokken metalshockfinland">{{cite web |date=10 April 2021 |title=Dokken's George Lynch Discusses His Understanding With The Late Guitarist Randy Rhoads |url=https://metalshockfinland.com/2021/04/10/dokkens-george-lynch-discusses-his-understanding-with-the-late-guitarist-randy-rhoads/ |website=metalshockfinland.com |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Dream Theater]],<ref name="dreamtheater givememetal">{{cite web |title=Dream Theater Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/progressivemetaltrees/dream-theater-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=18 November 2021 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> Exciter,<ref name="exciter earofnewt">{{cite web |title=Guitarists from Exodus, Exciter, and Metal Church weigh in on the heaviness of metal in 1985 |url=https://earofnewt.com/2015/08/02/guitarists-from-exodus-exciter-and-metal-church-weigh-in-on-the-heaviness-of-metal-in-1985/ |website=earofnewt.com |date=2 August 2015 |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]],<ref name="exodus getreadytorock">{{cite web |title=Get Ready to ROCK! Interview with Tom Hunting and Gary Holt of Thrash metal rock band Exodus |url=https://www.getreadytorock.com/pure_metal/exodus.htm |website=getreadytorock.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Fates Warning]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]],<ref name="thrash albums revolver">{{cite magazine |date=August 4, 2022 |title=25 Essential Thrash Albums |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/25-essential-thrash-albums |magazine=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Heathen (band)|Heathen]],<ref name="heathen givememetal">{{cite web |title=Heathen Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/thrashmetaltrees/heathen-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=21 September 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Helloween]],<ref name="helloween blabbermouth">{{cite web |title=Michael Kiske Is Happy And At Peace During Helloween's Historic Reunion: 'You Can Only Write Stories Like This' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/features/michael-kiske-is-happy-and-at-peace-during-helloweens-historic-reunion-you-can-only-write-stories-like-this |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=26 August 2025 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Iced Earth]],<ref name="icedearth blabbermouth">{{cite web |title=Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer: 'The Reason I Do This Is Kiss' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/iced-earths-jon-schaffer-the-reason-i-do-this-is-kiss |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=9 February 2020 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Iron Maiden]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /><ref name="ironmaiden wpdh">{{cite web |date=18 March 2022 |title=Glenn Tipton Says Iron Maiden Are Influenced by Judas Priest |url=https://wpdh.com/glenn-tipton-interview-2022/ |website=[[WPDH|WPDH.com]] |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Kreator]],<ref name="kreator blabbermouth">{{cite web |date=April 15, 2017 |title=Kreator Frontman: 'I Try Not To Sound Like Anyone Else' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/kreator-frontman-i-try-not-to-sound-like-anyone-else |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Megadeth]],<ref name="megadeth revolver">{{cite web |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=August 3, 2010 |title=Exclusive Excerpt From Dave Mustaine's Autobiography: Meeting Lars Ulrich |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/uncategorized/exclusive-excerpt-from-dave-mustaines-autobiography-meeting-lars-ulric.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120220741/http://www.revolvermag.com/uncategorized/exclusive-excerpt-from-dave-mustaines-autobiography-meeting-lars-ulric.html |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |work=Revolver |publisher=NewBay Media}}</ref> [[Mercyful Fate]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Metal Church]],<ref name="metalchurch therockpit">{{cite web |date=December 6, 2018 |title=INTERVIEW: Mike Howe - Metal Church - The Rockpit |url=https://www.therockpit.net/2018/interview-mike-howe-metal-church-2018/ |website=therockpit.net |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Metallica]],<ref name="guitarworld2">{{cite web |title=30 on 30: The Greatest Guitarists Picked by the Greatest Guitarists |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/30-30-greatest-guitarists-picked-greatest-guitarists?page=0,7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505131334/http://www.guitarworld.com/article/30_on_30_the_greatest_guitarists_picked_by_the_greatest_guitarists?page=0%2C7 |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2010 |publisher=guitarworld.com}}</ref> [[Mötley Crüe]],<ref name="motleycrue alt77">{{cite web |date=29 August 2024 |title=The Motley Crue Controversy: Why Is a Stadium Filling Band, so Utterly Hated |url=https://alt77.com/motley-crue-hated-heavy-metal-band/ |website=alt77.com |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Nuclear Assault]],<ref name="jp metalcrypt">{{cite magazine |date=May 22, 2020 |title= The Metal Crypt - 50 Years of British Fuckin' Steel - Tribute to Judas Priest Interview |url=https://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviews.php?intid=673 |website=metalcrypt.com |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]],<ref name="onslaught givememetal">{{cite web |title=Onslaught Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/thrashmetaltrees/onslaught-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]],<ref name="overkill loudersound">{{cite web |date=December 21, 2016 |title=Overkill's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth - The 10 Records That Changed My Life |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/overkills-bobby-blitz-ellsworth-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life |website=loudersound.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Pantera]],<ref name="loudersound 2020">{{cite web |date=December 3, 2019 |title=These were Dimebag Darrell's 10 favourite songs, according to Vinnie Paul |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/dimeradio-dimebag-darrells-top-tracks-as-chosen-by-vinnie-paul |access-date=June 21, 2023 |publisher=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound]]}}</ref> [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]],<ref name="jp metalcrypt" /> [[Queensrÿche]],<ref name="queensryche loudersound">{{cite web |date=21 December 2024 |title=Queensryche: the story behind Operation: Mindcrime |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/queensryche-operation-mindcrime-story-behind-album |website=loudersound.com |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]],<ref name="sacrifice voicesfromthedarkside">{{cite web |title=Voices From The Darkside |url=https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interview/sacrifice/ |website=voicesfromthedarkside.de |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Savatage]],<ref name="savatage nolifetilmetal">{{cite web |title=No Life 'til Metal - CD Gallery - Savatage |url=https://www.nolifetilmetal.com/savatage.htm |website=nolifetilmetal.com |date=9 February 2020 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Sepultura]],<ref name="sepultura hysteriamag">{{cite magazine |date=March 28, 2018 |title=SEPULTURA // Albums That Helped Shape A Band (Part One) |url=https://www.hysteriamag.com/sepultura-albums-helped-shape-band-part-one/ |magazine=hysteriamag.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref><ref name="sepultura loudersound">{{cite web |date=May 29, 2022 |title=Sepultura's Andreas Kisser: 10 Albums That Changed My Life |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/andreas-kisser-sepultura-10-albums |website=loudersound.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]],<ref name="skidrow sleazeroxx">{{cite web |date=22 September 2017 |title=Skid Row: 'B-Side Ourselves' |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/skid-row-b-side-ourselves/ |website=sleazeroxx.com |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Slayer]],<ref name="knac">{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Brian |date=July 26, 2004 |title=Exclusive! Interview With Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman |url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010337/http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3153 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=May 7, 2013 |publisher=[[KNAC]]}}</ref> [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]],<ref name="sodom nolifetilmetal">{{cite web |title=No Life Til Metal - CD Gallery - Sodom |url=https://nolifetilmetal.com/sodom.htm |website=nolifetilmetal.com |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Testament (band)|Testament]],<ref name="testament givememetal">{{cite web |title=Testament Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/thrashmetaltrees/testament-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=8 April 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> [[Twisted Sister]],<ref name="twistedsister givememetal">{{cite web |title=Twisted Sister Family Tree — The Metal |url=https://www.givememetal.com/heavymetaltrees/twisted-sister-family-tree |website=givememetal.com |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> [[Venom (band)|Venom]],<ref name="judasppriest givememetal" /> [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]],<ref name="voivod maximummetal">{{cite web |title=Voivod Drummer Talks About Making Of New Album 'Target Earth' |url=https://metalassault.com/Interviews/2013/01/25/voivod-drummer-talks-about-making-of-new-album-target-earth/ |website=metalassault.com |date=25 January 2013 |access-date=January 13, 2024}}</ref> and [[W.A.S.P. (band)|W.A.S.P]].<ref name="wasp riffology">{{cite web |date=26 September 2024 |title=The Headless Children: W.A.S.P.'s Evolutionary Leap |url=https://riffology.co/2024/09/26/the-making-of-the-headless-children-by-w-a-s-p/ |website=riffology.co |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>

==Band members==
{{Main|List of Judas Priest band members}}
<gallery widths="180" heights="180" class="center">
File:Judas Priest With Full Force 2018 13.jpg|[[Ian Hill|Hill]]
File:Judas Priest With Full Force 2018 03.jpg|[[Richie Faulkner|Faulkner]]
File:Judas Priest With Full Force 2018 32.jpg|[[Rob Halford|Halford]]
File:Glenn Tipton en 2008 au Luxembourg.jpg|[[Glenn Tipton|Tipton]]
File:Judas Priest With Full Force 2018 08.jpg|[[Scott Travis|Travis]]
File:Andy Sneap au Hellfest 2022.jpg|[[Andy Sneap|Sneap]]
</gallery>

;Current members
* [[Ian Hill]] – bass (1970–1992, 1996–present)
* [[Rob Halford]] – lead vocals (1973–1992, 2003–present)
* [[Glenn Tipton]] – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards (1974–1992, 1996–present)
* [[Scott Travis]] – drums, occasional backing vocals (1989–1992, 1996–present)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/judas-priest-albums-without-kk-downing/ |title=Why K.K. Downing is 'Surprised' by Judas Priest's Recent Output |date=2 September 2021 |publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref>
* [[Richie Faulkner]] – guitars, backing vocals (2011–present)

;Touring musicians
* [[Andy Sneap]] – guitars, backing vocals (2018–2022, 2022–present){{efn|He briefly departed for 5 days in 2022.}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://shop.spotify.com/en-us/artist/2tRsMl4eGxwoNabM08Dm4I/product/war-pigs-cd-single?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=app-release&utm_term=00a4666b1ebf66e7417e497bc5236330bcffd76c177174beb08380 |title=War Pigs (Ozzy and Judas Priest Charity Single) |date=26 September 2025 |publisher=Judas Priest}}</ref>

;Timeline
{{transcluded section|source=<!-- List of Judas Priest members -->List of Judas Priest band members}}{{#tag:timeline|ImageSize=width:960 height:auto barincrement:20 
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  id:lvocals value:red         legend:Lead_vocals
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  id:guitar  value:green       legend:Guitars
  id:bass    value:blue        legend:Bass_guitar
  id:keys    value:purple      legend:Keyboards,_synthesizers
  id:drums   value:orange      legend:Drums
  id:tour    value:yellow      legend:Touring/session
  id:studio  value:black       legend:Studio_albums
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  layer:back
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  at:17/09/1979
  at:08/06/1987
  at:22/04/1998
  at:28/09/1998
  at:08/04/2003
  at:14/07/2009
  at:01/07/2010
  at:24/03/2016
  layer:back
  color:studio
  at:06/09/1974
  at:23/03/1976
  at:08/04/1977
  at:10/02/1978
  at:09/10/1978
  at:14/04/1980
  at:26/02/1981
  at:17/07/1982
  at:04/01/1984
  at:15/04/1986
  at:17/05/1988
  at:03/09/1990
  at:28/10/1997
  at:31/07/2001
  at:28/02/2005
  at:17/06/2008
  at:14/07/2014
  at:08/03/2018
  at:08/03/2024

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  bar:Atkins text:Al Atkins
  bar:Rob    text:Rob Halford
  bar:Tim    text:Tim "Ripper" Owens
  bar:Perry  text:John Perry †
  bar:Ernie  text:Ernie Chataway †
  bar:KK     text:K. K. Downing
  bar:Richie text:Richie Faulkner
  bar:Glenn  text:Glenn Tipton
  bar:Andy   text:Andy Sneap
  bar:Bruno  text:Bruno Stapenhill
  bar:Ian    text:Ian Hill
  bar:John   text:John Partridge
  bar:Fred   text:Fred Woolley
  bar:Ellis  text:John Ellis
  bar:Alan   text:Alan Moore
  bar:Chris  text:Chris Campbell
  bar:Hinch  text:John Hinch †
  bar:Simon  text:Simon Phillips
  bar:Les    text:Les Binks †
  bar:Dave   text:Dave Holland †
  bar:Scott  text:Scott Travis

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  bar:Atkins from:start      till:15/04/1970
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  bar:Rob    from:15/05/1973 till:15/05/1992
  bar:Tim    from:15/05/1996 till:14/07/2003
  bar:Rob    from:15/07/2003 till:end

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  bar:Perry  from:start      till:14/11/1969
  bar:Ernie  from:15/11/1969 till:15/04/1970
  bar:KK     from:15/10/1970 till:15/05/1992
  bar:KK     from:15/05/1996 till:21/04/2011
  bar:Glenn  from:01/04/1974 till:15/05/1992
  bar:Glenn  from:15/05/1996 till:12/02/2018
  bar:Glenn  from:13/02/2018 till:end        width:7      
  bar:Richie from:22/04/2011 till:end   
  bar:Andy   from:13/02/2018 till:10/01/2022
  bar:Andy   from:15/01/2022 till:end

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  bar:Bruno  from:start      till:15/04/1970
  bar:Ian    from:15/10/1970 till:15/05/1992
  bar:Ian    from:15/05/1996 till:end

 color:keys
  bar:Glenn  from:01/04/1974 till:15/05/1992 width:7
  bar:KK     from:01/06/1985 till:15/05/1992 width:7
  bar:Glenn  from:15/05/1996 till:12/02/2018 width:7

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  bar:John   from:start      till:14/03/1970
  bar:Fred   from:15/03/1970 till:15/04/1970
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  bar:Alan   from:15/06/1971 till:14/06/1972
  bar:Chris  from:15/06/1972 till:14/05/1973
  bar:Hinch  from:15/05/1973 till:14/10/1975
  bar:Alan   from:15/10/1975 till:14/01/1977
  bar:Simon  from:15/01/1977 till:15/03/1977
  bar:Les    from:16/03/1977 till:15/07/1979
  bar:Dave   from:15/08/1979 till:15/10/1989
  bar:Scott  from:15/11/1989 till:15/05/1992
  bar:Scott  from:15/05/1996 till:end

  color:bars
  bar:Rob    from:15/05/1973 till:15/05/1973
  bar:Hinch  from:15/05/1973 till:15/05/1973
  bar:Alan   from:14/01/1977 till:14/01/1977
  bar:Rob    from:15/07/2003 till:15/07/2003
  bar:Andy   from:10/01/2022 till:15/01/2022
  bar:Andy   from:10/01/2022 till:15/01/2022 width:3
  bar:Andy   from:10/01/2022 till:15/01/2022 width:7

  color:bvocals width:3
  bar:KK     from:15/10/1970 till:15/05/1992
  bar:KK     from:15/05/1996 till:21/04/2011
  bar:Glenn  from:01/04/1974 till:15/05/1992
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  bar:Richie from:22/04/2011 till:end
  bar:Scott  from:01/01/2014 till:end
  bar:Andy   from:13/02/2018 till:10/01/2022
  bar:Andy   from:15/01/2022 till:end

  color:tour width:3
  bar:Simon  from:15/01/1977 till:15/03/1977
  bar:Andy   from:13/02/2018 till:10/01/2022 width:7
  bar:Andy   from:15/01/2022 till:end        width:7}}

==Discography==
{{main|Judas Priest discography}}
'''Studio albums'''
*''[[Rocka Rolla]]'' (1974)
*''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'' (1976)
*''[[Sin After Sin]]'' (1977)
*''[[Stained Class]]'' (1978)
*''[[Killing Machine]]'' (1978)
*''[[British Steel (album)|British Steel]]'' (1980)
*''[[Point of Entry]]'' (1981)
*''[[Screaming for Vengeance]]'' (1982)
*''[[Defenders of the Faith]]'' (1984)
*''[[Turbo (Judas Priest album)|Turbo]]'' (1986)
*''[[Ram It Down]]'' (1988)
*''[[Painkiller (Judas Priest album)|Painkiller]]'' (1990)
*''[[Jugulator]]'' (1997)
*''[[Demolition (Judas Priest album)|Demolition]]'' (2001)
*''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' (2005)
*''[[Nostradamus (album)|Nostradamus]]'' (2008)
*''[[Redeemer of Souls]]'' (2014)
*''[[Firepower (album)|Firepower]]'' (2018)
*''[[Invincible Shield]]'' (2024)

==Tours==
{{div col start}}
* Rocka Rolla Tour (1974–1975)
* Sad Wings of Destiny Tour (1976)
* Sin After Sin Tour (1977)
* Stained Class Tour (1978)
* Hell Bent For Leather Tour (1979)
* [[British Steel Tour]] (1980)
* [[World Wide Blitz Tour]] (1981)
* [[World Vengeance Tour]] (1982–1983)
* [[Metal Conqueror Tour]] (1984)
* [[Fuel for Life Tour]] (1986)
* [[Mercenaries of Metal Tour]] (1988)
* [[Painkiller Tour]] (1990–1991)
* [[Operation Rock & Roll]] (1991)
* Jugulator/'98 Live Meltdown Tour (1998)
* Demolition Tour (2001–2002)
* [[Reunited Tour]] (2004)
* [[Ozzfest]] (2004)
* [[Retribution Tour]] (2005)
* [[Metal Masters Tour]] (2008)
* [[Nostradamus World Tour]] (2008–2009)
* [[Epitaph World Tour|Epitaph/Farewell Tour]] (2011–2012)
* [[Redeemer of Souls Tour]] (2014–2015)
* [[Firepower World Tour]] (2018–2019)
* 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour (2021–2022)
* Invincible Shield Tour (2024–2025)
* Shield of Pain Tour (2025)
{{div col end}}

==Awards, nominations, and critical reception==
Despite their huge, loyal fanbase, Judas Priest have never been well-received by much of the music press, partially because their late 1970s rise coincided with the [[punk rock]] and [[new wave music|new wave]] movements, which occupied much of the music press's attention at the time. The first edition of ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' gave their first three albums one star each and described the band as "for lovers of stolen [[Led Zeppelin]] riffs only". The second edition of the guide a few years later also panned their entire discography. ''[[Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] was notably disdainful of the band, refusing to outright review any of their albums and relegating them to his "Meltdown" list (referring to artists he did not consider having any material worth listening to). In 2018, they were nominated for the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], but not inducted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-rob-halford-on-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-we-just-want-to-see-some-more-metal-in-there/|title=JUDAS PRIEST's ROB HALFORD On ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: 'We Just Want To See Some More Metal In There'|date=25 March 2018}}</ref> In the same year, they were inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History at the [[Wacken Open Air|Wacken festival]]. Founder/CEO Pat Gesualdo thanked them "for the decades of hard work and dedication to heavy metal, an art form they helped establish." The band then stated that their induction "also sends a great message of inclusion for the metal community around the world, and keeps us defending the metal faith together."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-judas-priest-inducted-into-hall-of-heavy-metal-history-at-germanys-wacken-open-air-festival/|title=Video: JUDAS PRIEST Inducted Into 'Hall Of Heavy Metal History' At Germany's WACKEN OPEN AIR Festival|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> In 2022, the band was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the recipients of the committee-selected "Award for Musical Excellence".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/judas-priest-0|title=Rock Hall 2022 Nominee : Judas Priest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203065632/https://www.rockhall.com/judas-priest-0 |access-date=14 July 2024|archive-date=3 February 2022 }}</ref> Despite this, many outlets, including [[MetalSucks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/05/04/judas-priest-arent-among-the-2022-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inductees-but-will-receive-the-musical-excellence-award/ |title=Judas Priest Won't Get Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Will Receive the 'Musical Excellence Award'|website=Metalsucks.net |date=4 May 2022}}</ref> and ''[[Loudwire]]'',<ref name="loudwire.com">{{cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/judas-priest-rock-hall-of-fame-musical-excellence-award/ |title=Opinion: Rock Hall Inducting Judas Priest for 'Musical Excellence' is Actually a Backhanded Compliment |website=[[Loudwire]]|date=4 May 2022 }}</ref> were critical of the band being inducted via the "Award for Musical Excellence" rather than in the "Performer" category. Halford, after originally expressing excitement about the honour,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/its-official-judas-priest-to-be-inducted-into-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame |title=It's Official: JUDAS PRIEST to be Inducted into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME |date=4 May 2022}}</ref> shared this sentiment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/rob-halford-isnt-thrilled-about-judas-priests-rock-hall-induction-via-the-musical-excellence-award |title=ROB HALFORD Isn't Thrilled About JUDAS PRIEST's Rock Hall Induction Via the Musical Excellence Award |date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

'''Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2005 || Judas Priest || The Metal Guru<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-knocked-out-by-metal-guru-award-at-classic-rock-roll-of-honour/|title=JUDAS PRIEST 'Knocked Out' By 'Metal Guru' Award At CLASSIC ROCK ROLL OF HONOUR|date=8 October 2005|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Grammy Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 1991 || ''Painkiller'' || [[Best Metal Performance]] || {{nominated}}
|-
| 1999 || "Bullet Train" || Best Metal Performance || {{nominated}}
|-
| rowspan= "2" | 2009 || "Visions" || [[Best Hard Rock Performance]] || {{nominated}}
|-
| "Nostradamus" || Best Metal Performance || {{nominated}}
|-
| 2010 || "Dissident Aggressor" || Best Metal Performance || {{won}}
|-
| 2025 || "Crown of Horns" || Best Metal Performance<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ | title=Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Complete List | first=Katie | last=Atkinson | magazine=Billboard | date=November 8, 2024 | access-date=November 8, 2024}}</ref> || {{nominated}}
{{end}}

'''Kerrang! Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2007 || Judas Priest || Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a73558/kerrang-awards-2007-the-winners/|title=Kerrang Awards 2007: The Winners|date=24 August 2007|website=Digitalspy.com|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| 2015 || Judas Priest || Inspiration<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priests-rob-halford-you-need-inspiration-in-rock-and-roll/|title=JUDAS PRIEST's ROB HALFORD: 'You Need Inspiration In Rock And Roll'|date=12 June 2015|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Loudwire Music Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="7"|2015 || ''Redeemer of Souls'' || Metal Album of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards">{{Cite web |url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=B9DC35AA-688F-42B0-A7EB-85E2A65C3D2B |title=JUDAS PRIEST nominated multiple times for the 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards |date=8 January 2015 |website=JudasPriest.com}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"|Judas Priest || Metal Band of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| Live Act of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| "Halls of Valhalla" || Metal Song of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| rowspan="2"|Rob Halford || Rock Titan of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| Vocalist of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| Richie Faulkner || Guitarist of the Year || {{nom}}<ref name="loudwire awards" />
|-
| 2017 || Rob Halford || Lemmy Lifetime Achievement Award || {{won}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-stone-sour-iron-maiden-win-big-at-the-2017-loudwire-music-awards-2/|title=2017 Loudwire Music Awards Complete Winners List + Photos|first=Chad|last=Childers|website=Loudwire.com|date=25 October 2017 }}</ref>
{{end}}

'''Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' || Best Album<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-slipknot-mot-rhead-honored-at-golden-gods-awards-photos-available/|title=BLACK SABBATH, SLIPKNOT, MOTÖRHEAD Honored At GOLDEN GODS AWARDS: Photos Available|date=14 June 2005|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}

|-
| 2011 || rowspan="3"| Judas Priest || Icons<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/award-show-battles/%E2%80%98metal-hammer-golden-gods%E2%80%99-winners-revealed|title='Metal Hammer Golden Gods' Winners RevealedMetal Insider|date=14 June 2011|website=Metalinsider.net|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| 2018 || Best British Band<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/golden-gods-2018-judas-priest-code-orange-maynard-james-keenan-amongst-winners|title=Golden Gods 2018: Judas Priest, Code Orange, Maynard James Keenan amongst winners|first=Luke Morton11|last=June 2018|website=Metal Hammer Magazine|date=11 June 2018|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| 2024 || Best International<ref name=an2024>{{cite web|title=Alle Nominierten der Metal Hammer Awards 2024 im Überblick |url=https://www.metal-hammer.de/alle-nominierten-der-metal-hammer-awards-2024-im-ueberblick-2244535/|date=9 August 2024|website=metal-hammer.de|access-date=20 October 2024}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Invincible Shield]]'' || Best Album<ref>{{cite web|title=Das waren die Metal Hammer Awards 2024: Rudolf Schenkers schönster Geburtstag |url=https://www.metal-hammer.de/rudolf-schenker-das-ist-mein-bester-geburtstag-die-metal-hammer-awards-2024-2262607/|date=1 September 2024|website=metal-hammer.de|access-date=20 October 2024}}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| 2024 || ''Panic Attack'' || Metal Anthem 2024<ref name=an2024/> || {{nom}}
{{end}}

'''Metal Storm Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2005 || ''Angel of Retribution'' || Best Heavy Metal Album<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2005|title=Metal Storm Awards 2005 – Metal Storm|website=Metalstorm.net|access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref> || {{won}}
|-
| 2008 || ''Nostradamus'' || Best Heavy Metal Album<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2008|title=Metal Storm Awards 2008 - Metal Storm|website=Metalstorm.net|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
| 2018 || ''Firepower'' || Biggest Surprise<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/index.php|title=Metal Storm Awards 2018 – Metal Storm|website=Metalstorm.net}}</ref> || {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Planet Rock Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2019 || ''Firepower'' || Best British Album<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/the-rocks-2019-winners-revealed/|title=The Rocks 2019 winners revealed|website=Planet Rock}}</ref> || {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Rock and Roll Hall of Fame'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2018 || Judas Priest || Performers<ref>{{cite news|last=France|first=Lisa Respers|title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2018 nominees announced|date=5 October 2017|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2020-nominees|website=CNN|access-date=6 February 2022}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
| 2020 || Judas Priest || Performers<ref>{{cite web|title=Congratulations to All 16 nominees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2020|date=10 September 2019|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2020-nominees|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=15 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015124647/https://www.rockhall.com/2020-nominees|archive-date=15 October 2019}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
| 2022 || Judas Priest || Performers<ref name="hof2022">{{cite web|title=ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2022 INDUCTION|date=2 February 2022|url=https://www.rockhall.com/rock-roll-hall-fame-foundation-announces-nominees-2022-induction|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=6 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202152532/https://www.rockhall.com/rock-roll-hall-fame-foundation-announces-nominees-2022-induction|archive-date=2 February 2022}}</ref> || {{nom}}
|-
| 2022 || Judas Priest || Award for Musical Excellence<ref name="loudwire.com"/> || {{win}}
{{end}}

'''Sweden GAFFA Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2019 || Judas Priest || Best Foreign Band<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gaffa.se/nyhet/134691/gaffa-priset-2019-haer-aer-artisterna-som-ligger-baest-till|title=GAFFA-priset 2019 – här är artisterna som ligger bäst till|work=GAFFA|access-date=3 September 2019|location=Sweden|language=sv|archive-date=23 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223163743/https://gaffa.se/nyhet/134691/gaffa-priset-2019-haer-aer-artisterna-som-ligger-baest-till|url-status=dead}}</ref> || {{nom}}
{{end}}

== In popular culture ==
The American director [[Rob Reiner]] went to see Judas Priest in concert as part of his preparation for making the film ''[[This Is Spinal Tap]]'' (1984), which spoofs British heavy metal bands.<ref name="mastropolo" />

The drama-comedy film ''[[Rock Star (2001 film)|Rock Star]]'' (2001), starring [[Mark Wahlberg]], is loosely based on the story of how Tim "Ripper" Owens replaced Rob Halford as the vocalist in Judas Priest.

On 5 January 2014, the band appeared in the episode "[[Steal This Episode]]" of comedy cartoon show ''[[The Simpsons]]'' playing a parody of their song "[[Breaking the Law]]". Their music was referred to as "[[death metal]]",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/14/simpsons-apologise-judas-priest-death-metal|date=14 January 2014|access-date=27 January 2014|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas|title=The Simpsons apologise to Judas Priest for calling them 'death metal'|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> for which the producers subsequently apologised by having [[Bart Simpson]] write "Judas Priest is not 'Death Metal{{'"}} in the opening sequence [[chalkboard gag]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/bart-simpson-apologizes-for-calling-judas-priest-death-metal-99510/ |title=Bart Simpson Apologizes for Calling Judas Priest 'Death Metal' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=13 January 2014 |access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>

In 2025, a voice-over recording made by [[Toronto|Toronto's]] WILDsound Film Festival contained a quietly read set of unknown song lyrics directly written for [[Rob Halford]] and Judas Priest titled "Dark Elder".<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/dark-elder|title=Poetry Reading: Dark Elder|publisher=WILDsound|date=23 July 2025|access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Works cited ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book
|last      = Bowe
|first     = Brian J.
|title     = Judas Priest: Metal Gods
|url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=-hIN6L4zyTgC
|year      = 2009
|publisher = Enslow Publishers
|isbn      = 978-0-7660-3029-9
|postscript=; pbk. ISBN 978-0-7660-3621-5
}}
* {{cite book
|last      = Cope
|first     = Andrew L.
|title     = Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music
|url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=ft-hAgAAQBAJ
|year      = 2013
|publisher = Ashgate Publishing
|isbn      = 978-1-4094-9398-3
}}
* {{cite book
|last       = Daniels
|first      = Neil
|author-link = Neil Daniels
|title      = The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith
|url        = https://books.google.com/books?id=qRTEsW44NDQC
|year       = 2007
|publisher  = [[Omnibus Press]]
|isbn       = 978-0-85712-239-1
}}
* {{cite book
|last       = Popoff
|first      = Martin
|author-link = Martin Popoff
|title      = Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers—An Illustrated History
|year       = 2007
|publisher  = ECW Press
|isbn       = 978-1-55022-784-0
}}
* {{cite web
|last        = Wang
|first       = K. S.
|title       = Celebrity Drive: Judas Priest Bassist Ian Hill mourns the demise of the British car industry
|work        = [[Truck Trend]]
|date        = 9 July 2008
|url         = http://www.trucktrend.com/news/163-0807-ian-hill-celebrity-drive/
|access-date  = 2018-01-15
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160120074447/http://www.trucktrend.com/news/163-0807-ian-hill-celebrity-drive/
|archive-date = 2016-01-20
}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q83468|c=category:Judas Priest|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* [https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/my-love-thanks-judas-priest-18019835 Judas Priest frontman sends message to West Midlands Police]

{{Judas Priest|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Judas Priest
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance}}
{{2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Fight}}
{{Halford}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Judas Priest Band Members, List Of}}
[[Category:Judas Priest| ]]
[[Category:1969 establishments in England]]
[[Category:CBS Records artists]]
[[Category:English heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:English musical quintets]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerrang! Awards winners]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:RCA Victor artists]]