Top 10 Judas Priest Songs
#10: “Beyond the Realms of Death” Stained Class (1978)
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Early drummer Les Binks’ most significant contribution to the band’s catalogue, this drum-heavy song also features standout guitar solos, and singer Rob Halford’s haunting lyrics. While “Beyond the Realms of Death” and others from 1978’s Stained Class became the unfortunate target in a 1990 trial that claimed subliminal musical messages, its status as one of Priest’s most melodic and multilayered songs has endured.
#9: “Turbo Lover” Turbo (1986)
One of the band’s more straightforward hits, this song is about two things: love and speed. The tune was accompanied by this psychedelic music video complete with a stop-motion skeleton and—of course—lots and lots of bikes. This song is also a fantastic racing video game song, as proven by its appearance in “Gran Turismo 3,” which helped the track earn even more new fans 15 years after its release.
#8: “Hell Bent For Leather” Killing Machine (1978)
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1978 was a banner year for Priest. Having already released the highly influential Stained Class earlier in the year, this album, known as Hell Bent for Leather in the States, defined the band’s iconic leather-studded image for decades to come. And it was this feverish number that led the charge. Adopting a phrase deep from the annals of bad-assery for biker paraphernalia, the band henceforth appeared primarily dressed in leather in concerts, often with Halford riding a Harley on stage.
#7: “Victim Of Changes” Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) One of the most fascinating songs in the Priest catalogue, the first song from the band’s great sophomore effort is actually a mixture of two songs: one by Halford—and one by briefly serving original singer, Al Atkins. The song also features multiple slowdowns and buildups, solos by guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, and is punctuated by one of Halford’s trademark screams.
#6: “The Sentinel” Defenders of the Faith (1984)
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One of the many larger-than-life characters in the Judas Priest catalog, “The Sentinel” is a lone soldier fighting for revenge in a nightmarish—possibly post-apocalyptic—wasteland. Arriving via the platinum recording Defenders of the Faith at the height of the band’s popularity, this song is noted for its relentless pacing and another of Halford’s trademark screams. “All fear the Sentinel,” indeed.
#5: “Living After Midnight” British Steel (1980)
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One of the Priest songs with the most mainstream appeal, this song from the seminal British Steel album is about…well…exactly what the title suggests: partying. It features a classic rock and roll drum groove made all the more awesome by this air-drumming video; as well as one of guitarist Glenn Tipton’s best solos, accompanied by a crowd of air guitarists. The song doesn’t contain the best advice for the kids out there, but its catchiness made it a radio hit in the UK.
#4: “The Hellion/Electric Eye” Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
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Found on 1982’s Screaming for Vengeance, the 3-and-half-minute “Electric Eye” is preceded by an epic instrumental intro titled “The Hellion.” Together, the two tracks combine to form one of the band’s most beloved songs—and the one that most frequently opens their live shows. And, if you were lucky enough to see the band at the height of its fame, you got to see this:
#3: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
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This is probably the song you’re most likely to hear on classic rock radio. And, for a band known for darker subject matter—it’s also one of their most uplifting. Their only song to chart on both the British and American charts, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” propelled the band to newfound heights of mainstream success and has been included in a number of multimedia formats.
#2: “Breaking the Law” British Steel (1980)
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From the opening duel-guitar riff to the broken glass and siren after the last verse—this one is pure Priest. Though it may at first seem like just an homage to criminal activity, the song is actually a critique of the circumstances that cause someone to…well, you know, break the law. It was also accompanied by one of the most badass music videos of all time, in which the band holds up a London bank using just their guitars in order to steal a gold copy of their record British Steel. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - “All Guns Blazing” Painkiller (1990) - “(Take These) Chains” Screaming for Vengeance (1982) - “Ram It Down” Ram It Down (1988) - “A Touch of Evil” Painkiller (1990) - “The Ripper” Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
#1: “Painkiller” Painkiller (1990)
Heavier than anything the band had done before, this 6-minute number served as an epic send-off for Halford, who subsequently left the band following their 12th record’s supporting tour. After two less-than-successful albums to finish out the ‘80s, Painkiller—with its speed metal title track—re-established the band members as the metal gods they are. Not only for the truest Priest fans, “Painkiller” was also recognized by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a Grammy nod for Best Metal Performance. Do you agree with our list? What Judas Priest songs make you want to scream for vengeance? For more entertaining top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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