Judas Priest
Welcome to a Wednesday Metal Rats.
Just one day after Alice Cooper weighed in on the GUNS N’ ROSES reunion wondering why founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin wasn’t a part of it, there is a rumor he will participate in a limited role. Cooper said yesterday, “I don’t know about drums, but certainly Izzy is viable. You’d think if Slash and Axl are working together — and Duff is one of those guys that gets along with everybody — then at least Izzy would be one of the guys who would be a shoo-in. And maybe he is, I don’t know.”
Blabbermouth is reporting that Izzy Stradlin will participate “for sure” in what has been described as a “limited” capacity. Stradlin seems like he will at least perform with the group at its two early April shows in Las Vegas. There was “still discussion” about original drummer Steven Adler participating in the reunion at some level, while the name of his replacement, Matt Sorum, did not come up in the conversation.
Happy Posthumous Birthday to METALLICA Bassist Cliff Burton. He would have been 54 today. In his teenage years, Burton had an interest in rock, classical and eventually heavy metal. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother. His parents quoted him as saying, “I’m going to be the best bassist for my brother.” He practiced up to six hours per day (even after he joined Metallica). Cliff died in 1986. R.I.P.
On this date in 1978, VAN HALEN released their debut album. Eventually, it would become regarded by fans and critics as one of rock and roll’s greatest debut albums. However, its initial critical reception was mostly negative, with one music critic writing, “This music belongs on an aircraft carrier” and a Rolling Stone critic who predicted, “In three years, Van Halen is going to be fat and self-indulgent and disgusting … follow[ing] Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin right into the toilet. In the meantime, they are likely to be a big deal.”
In other Van Halen news, former singer Sammy Hagar was asked what he would do if the group called him to come back. He responded, “no comment,” but also said, “We’ll see what happens when it happens — if it happens.” Oh boy.
Today in 1978, JUDAS PRIEST released “Stained Class.” It gained notoriety for its dark lyrics and themes, as well as a 1990 civil action trial where the band were accused of backmasking that led to the suicide attempts of two teenagers.
Also on this date in 1987, DOKKEN released the single “Dream Warriors,” written by guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson for the movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.”
Finaly, the heavy metal community was virtually celebrating in the streets on Feb. 10, 1999, when it learned that British legends IRON MAIDEN would be welcoming fan-favored vocalist Bruce Dickinson back into the fold after a six-year absence, and guitarist Adrian Smith after a decade.
That was a good day indeed and it’s always a great day for 80’s metal and hard rock. Rock on brothers and sisters and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP!
Time to kick Tuesday’s ass with 80’s metal and hard rock… Maiden, Priest, Metallica, DIO, Crue, Scorps, RATT, Megadeth, W.A.S.P., Dokken and more spin 24/7 on METAL SHOP.
Happy Birthday to SKID ROW founder and bassist Rachel Bolan (real name: James Richard Southworth). His stage name ‘Bolan’ is a tribute to one of his childhood idols, T. Rex frontman, Marc Bolan. Did you know Rachel Bolan sang back-up vocals on Mötley Crüe’s Dr. Feelgood album?
Late MOTÖRHEAD frontman, Lemmy Kilmister was a regular at The Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA. A memorial was held there on the day of Lemmy’s funeral on January 9th and a mural was painted on the bar’s wall as a mark of respect. Now, a life-size bronze statue of Lemmy will be erected outside the venue.
From the WTF file, former QUEENSRŸCHE Singer Geoff Tate Is Working On Jazz Album.
Dave Mustaine has discussed the possibility of re-recording MEGADETH’s debut ‘Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!’ with the band’s current lineup, saying “If I did go back and record any old songs, it would probably be like a brand new interpretation of our greatest hits, because I think that focusing on any one record and showing an interpretation of all of our great songs by a new lineup would be more exciting. You never know. We might do that.”
Really excited for IRON MAIDEN’s return to the states in two weeks. The Book Of Souls World Tour starts Feb. 24th in Sunrise, FL. Maiden posted the photo below on the band’s Facebook page yesterday with the caption “We’re still packing!! Glad it’s a big plane…”
Have a rockin’ day!
T.G.I.F. and Happy Birthday to Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, who turns 52 today. Until this year, Duff was noted as former GnR bassist, but he’s back with Axl and Slash for a three-fifths reunion. Hopefully, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler are part of this before the first show April 8th in Las Vegas. Axl’s 54th birthday is tomorrow (Feb. 6th).
Former Tesla guitarist Tommy Skeoch is also celebrating a birthday today (He is 53). Skeoch joined Tesla in 1984 when they were known as City Kidd and left in 2006 due to substance abuse.
On this date in 1974, KISS kicked off their first North American tour in Edmonton, Alberta Canada; In 1998 Judas Priest singer Rob Halford announced on MTV that he was gay; and on this date in 1971, Black Sabbath started recording what would be their third album, ‘Master Of Reality.’ Forced to postpone four Canadian gigs after Ozzy came down with a serious case of sinusitis, the Sabbath tour will resume tomorrow night (Feb. 6th) in Tacoma, WA.
I was in Tacoma with my teenage son this past Tuesday for AC/DC. I hope to have as much energy when I hit my 60’s as Angus and the boys… what a great show. Click Here for a recap with photos. AC/DC is in Las Vegas tonight (Feb. 5th) and Denver on Monday. How convenient it would be to make the short trip to San Francisco and play the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday… would much rather see that.
Enjoy the game and have a great weekend. Thanks for listening to METAL SHOP.
JUDAS PRIEST celebrates 40 years of heavy metal dominance with ‘Epitaph‘, a 23-song live concert Blu-Ray/DVD from the closing night of the “Epitaph World Tour” – the band’s final world tour – recorded at London’s HMV Hammersmith Apollo in May 2012.
This release contains live versions of at least one song from each of JUDAS PRIEST’S 14 classic albums from 1974 to 2008.
“Epitaph” track listing:
01. Battle Hymn
02. Rapid Fire
03. Metal Gods
04. Heading Out To The Highway
05. Judas Rising
06. Starbreaker
07. Victim Of Changes
08. Never Satisfied
09. Diamonds And Rust
10. Prophecy
11. Night Crawler
12. Turbo Lover
13. Beyond The Realms Of Death
14. The Sentinel
15. Blood Red Skies
16. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)
17. Breaking The Law
18. Painkiller
19. The Hellion
20. Electric Eye
21. Hell Bent For Leather
22. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
23. Living After Midnight
Who Are The Top 20 Metal Bands Of All Time?
Depends who you ask and how they define who is metal or just hard rock. For example, many agree that Metalica, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are metal, but KISS, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses are not metal.
That is how the authors of the new book ‘The Merciless Book of Metal Lists‘ see it in one of several indexes they compiled for this release set for April 9, 2013 by Abrams Image.
Howie Abrams and Sacha Jenkins’ book features numerous compilations of bests (songs, guitarists, album covers featuring goats) and worsts (embarrassing metal videos, metal fashion faux pas’).
80’s metal fans will also surely appreciate unconventional lists such as: ’10 Reasons Why EVERYONE Loves Slayer’s ‘Reign In Blood” and ’10 Accomplishments Iron Maiden Would Never Have Achieved had Paul Di’Anno Remained Their Singer’.
One of the lists sure to spark some debate is ’20 of the Greatest Metal Voices.’ They nailed the top three (my opinion) and Queensryche’s Geoff Tate certainly deserves a top five appearance:
1. Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath, Dio)
2. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
3. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
4. Eric Adams (Manowar)
5. Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
6. King Diamond (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond)
7. Tom Araya (Slayer)
8. John Bush (Armored Saint/Anthrax)
9. James Hetfield (Metallica)
10. Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly)
In an interview with the New York Times, Abrams said Dio was the unanimous choice for the top spot because he had a virtuosity that set him far apart from other top metal vocalists.
“If he needed to apply darkness, he could do it,” said Abrams. “If he needed to belt and go to a higher range, he could. He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, and I’m not sure there was a taller task for a vocalist. He did it with ease and grace, and he may have improved on what Oz did in the first place.”
‘The Merciless Book of Metal Lists’ is a fun read. I especially enjoyed viewing the artwork from ‘200 Embarrassingly Bad Album Covers’… Anthrax took the top two spots with ‘State of Euphoria’ and number one ‘Fistful of Metal.’
Emerging from the blues and psychedelic rock of the 1960s and ’70s, heavy metal has been a driving force in music for nearly 50 years — known for its massive sound, extended guitar solos, and unrelenting intensity.
Despite being critically reviled throughout its history, metal has stood the test of time with bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe achieving legendary status, unfathomable wealth and exerting a profound influence on generations of musicians and fans. Unlike many forms of popular music, whose followers are fickle and transitory, metalheads tend to embrace their favorite bands and follow them over decades. Metal is not only a pastime — it’s a lifestyle.
Written by veteran rock journalists Jon Wiederhorn and Katherine Turman, “Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal” (It Books; May 14, 2013; Hardcover; $32.50) was assembled from more than 300 interviews with members of Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Van Halen and many others, conducted over a 25-year span. Turman and Wiederhorn dug deep into their extensive list of contacts to uncover never- before-heard stories, eye-opening admissions and the truth behind metal’s most explosive legends. With an introduction by Scott Ian of Anthrax and an afterword by Rob Halford of Judas Priest, this is the book metal fans have been waiting for.
Icons of the genre offer candid and confessional commentary, including: Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Dickinson, Eddie Van Halen, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Lita Ford, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Axl Rose, Slash, Dave Mustaine, King Diamond, Kerry King, Philip Anselmo and more. The many musicians interviewed offer their take on their influences, touring, the music business and songwriting, as well as their often-traumatic upbringings, battles with substance abuse and bizarre sexual exploits. Industry insiders (including managers, record label executives, family members, friends, scenesters, groupies, journalists and porn stars) provide additional insight.
“Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History Of Metal” explores the transformation of metal culture, with stories and anecdotes straight from the mouths of the most infamous and successful bands. Filled with hundreds of revealing interviews representing every type and era of heavy metal — from metal progenitors such as Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, and the MC5 to current day innovators — “Louder Than Hell” is the ultimate look behind the curtain at one of our most dynamic, controversial and enduring musical genres.
Alice Cooper: “This is the book every metal fan should own. A fascinating high-octane chronicle of metal mayhem that takes readers on a wild ride, from metal’s earliest days to the headbanging present. I’m not saying this just because I’m in the book, but . . . if you love metal, great stories, and music history told by the people who made it, then ‘Louder Than Hell’ is a must-read.”
Guitarhoo.com: What led to the formation of Judas Priest?
KK Downing: As I have said many times, Judas Priest were a very fine blues band led mainly by Al Atkins, but after tragically losing their guitarist, they disbanded. I auditioned for the job, but I wasn’t a blues player. Later, Al was at the rehearsal rooms and saw what me, Ian Hill and drummer John Ellis were doing. Al consented to joining so, Judas Priest #2 was born. Al was excellent as he never tried to push us in the blues direction but instead got right on board with us, going forward to the new direction we were pursuing.
Guitarhoo.com: Who came up with the name for the band and why?
KK Downing: I think the original Judas Priest took the name from a Bob Dylan song.
Guitarhoo.com: Was Judas Priest referred to as a heavy metal band since the beginning, if not what genre title was the band associated with?
KK Downing: To start with I think we were known as progressive blues, then progressive, then rock, then hard rock, then heavy rock, then heavy metal. All in a space of about five years.
Guitarhoo.com: On a lot of Priest songs you either traded off solo’s with Glenn Tipton, but occasionally one of you would handle the entire solo. How did the two of you work out who does what and where?
KK Downing: I think usually Glenn would indicate some of the solos he had a fancy for, and I would then do the remainder. It was all very amicable.
Guitarhoo.com: After being one of the founding members of Priest and having a long successful career with the band, you retired in 2011. What brought about your decision?
Downing: There had been an ongoing breakdown in working relationships between myself, elements of the band and management for some time.
Guitarhoo.com: Looking back at your career so far, what are some of your fondest memories?
Downing: I can’t really list the highs or lows as there have been too many to mention. Except for getting to where I am, and it is all thanks to the loyal fans.
Caller.com: Before everyone was carrying around thousands of songs in their pockets on their iPods, music fans who wanted to hear their favorite tunes on the go or in their car were forced to make do with cassette tapes. These bygone audio artifacts, along with vinyl records, were the formats of choice in 1982. That was the year Judas Priest unleashed an album that would unwittingly steer heavy metal right into the mainstream.
On the 30th anniversary of its original release, the band has reached back into its archives for an impressive set of rarities as well as a definitive live concert performance that all make “Screaming for Vengeance: Special 30th Anniversary Edition” (Legacy/Columbia), a blast from the past well worth revisiting.
This updated version not only features an appropriately amped-up remastering job, but it also includes a handful of rare live tracks from a 1982 San Antonio show. There’s also a DVD that chronicles the group’s 1983 U.S. Festival performance in front of an audience of 375,000 people. Both die-hard fans and casual admirers will enjoy this impressive, expanded version of the album that retains all of its original metallic fury but sounds way better than that worn out cassette ever did.
Excitement is building for the special 30th Anniversary Edition of Judas Priest’s signature record ‘Screaming For Vengeance’. The CD/DVD combo contains not only the remastered original album with bonus tracks, but also a live performance from the 1983 US Festival, filmed in San Bernadino, CA on May 29, 1983.
You may have heard Judas Priest announce recently their 2011-12 Epitaph world tour would be the last… ever. The roadtrip will end, but fortunately, not the band. In fact, Priest is working on a new album right now.
Checking the official Judas Priest website, we found the message – “The guys are working together on writing new material – all is going really well”.
In another post, Guitarist Glenn Tipton also explained further his group’s future plans: “To put everyone’s mind at rest, 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.”
The Epitaph world tour begins June 7th in Eindhaar, Tilburg, Holland.
