While we’re banging on about the origins of heavy metal it would be remiss of me not to mention Judas Priest. As a band Judas Priest formed in 1969 (the same year Black Sabbath formed). I would argue Judas Priest were not “metal” when they formed. Again, this is a point I’ve discussed over beers with a few people, some agree with me, others don’t.
Judas Priest formed with a bunch of guys, none of whom lasted long enough to record on the first album. The band played a few shows and were even managed by Tony Iommi in their early days for a bit. The then Singer Al Atkins who co-wrote a few songs which would be the first of the material that would make it to an album. Eventually Ian Hill and KK Downing joined the band and things started to get serious. The band embarked on a European tour in 1974.
An early photo of Judas Priest in the Rocka Rolla / Sin after Sin era of the mid 70’s before the band adoped their famous leather look.
September 1974 saw the recording of their first album Rocka Rolla. By this point they had found Rob Halford on vocals and Glenn Tipton on guitar along with mainstays KK Downing and bass player Ian Hill. I have to say I quite like this album but I don’t see it as “metal”. It’s a rock album with some pretty nifty distortion on the guitars, and some of the signs of Halfords greatness on vocals. It’s also important to note that by this point Black Sabbath were Five albums into their career and selling out massive venues. I’ll also point out none of the songs off this album have been played in any live recordings I’ve heard of the band in a long time.
Next up Sad Wings of Destiny in 1975. This is where I believe the band was more “metal” than Rock. The guitars started to show off the shredding guitar riffs and solos despite the band still looking like a bunch of lost hippies. For my money the songs sounded a lot more focused, Most of the songs had a much more coherent and heavier edge. It’s also important to note this album has a few songs which are still played live to this day and form part of the Judas Priest identity.
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I guess what I’m trying to say is while Judas Priest formed right after Black Sabbath, I don’t think they were metal until their second album came out. Some would argue that second album still wasn’t really even metal. Others would say they weren’t metal until British Steel came out in 1980 but imma give the band a little more credit and pay it from 1975. For my money 1975 is the point where Judas Priest were effectively trading punches with Black Sabbath (Even if they weren’t selling anywhere near the units).
STAINED CLASS AND HEAVY METAL IMAGE
While the First few Judas Priest records were great listens, I think the band really hit its stride on their 1978 release Stained Class. This was their most coherent and heavy record up until this date. It’s also where the band really started to use the double kick drumming technique and twin guitars to full effect. Stained Class was also the first time the band was able to make any serious dents in the UK charts and some minor inroads into the American Charts.
It’s also the point where the band introduced their “Heavy Metal” image with the band adopting the leather / Biker look which has since become a big part of the Heavy Metal dress code, even to this day.
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Stained Class was the 4th Release and where I think the band really cemented the Heavy Metal sound they pioneered. |
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