My Life As A Historian: Sabaton History Talks Judas Priest in "Gods of Heavy Metal"

We take this break from me talking about RPGs to talk about the history of heavy metal from that collaboration of historian collective Time Ghost and Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton, and today they're talking about Judas Priest.

First, let me link you Razorfist's excellent Metal Mythos on the band from 2017.

Second, are we at all surprised that this band's story follows the very common Rock and Roll narrative? More-or-less working class roots, grind away at the local scene and get a following but due to pop culture trends aren't there yet, are in the perfect position when the zeitgeist changes to get noticed by a major label, explode with the vigor of youth backed by said label's finances, take up booze and drugs to cope with the relentless stress to produce commercial product and satisfy the label on top of their audience, get caught up when the labels decide to fire the current trend/genre for cheaper new talent (the metal-grunge shift), and almost collapse entirely coping with it.

Only, in Priest's case, they came back as strong as ever. Not quite the survival story of Iron Maiden, but a fantastic one nonetheless. They will be missed when the time comes, whatever else their collective and personal faults, as they were a band that was all about tenacity in adversity and that is admirable whatever else may be said about them.

And no one can sing like Halford can, not even Geoff Tate of Queenryche at his peak (and he came very close). Much like Heart's Ann Wilson, Halford is a singular singer and will be remembered long after he is gone- and with him Judas Priest.

Influnces being the oft-indirect things that they are, don't be surprise if you're a young man now to see Judas Priest show up in unexpected places down the road--like, say, in a popular manga series or two--before you follow Halford beyond this life.