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One of the originators of heavy metal and the godfathers of speed metal, with Rob Halford's lead vocals notable for their high-pitched screams, they also feature an innovative two-lead-guitar sound and are particularly noted for their complex guitar duets courtesy of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.
Rob Halford left the band in the 1990s and was replaced by Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who was plucked from obscurity having previously sung in a Judas Priest tribute band. Rumors are that Halford's departure constituted the basis of the film Rock Star.
Judas Priest have released fifteen studio albums to date, the first being Rocka Rolla in 1974 and the latest being Demolition in 2001.
To the delight of their shrinking fan base however, and after more than twelve years apart, Judas Priest and original lead vocalist Rob Halford announced in July 2003 that they were reunited, with a "global" live concert tour planned for 2004. Judas Priest and 'Ripper' Owens parted amicably by mutual agreement.
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In 1990, the band was involved in a civil action that alleged they were responsible for the suicide attempts in 1985 of two Nevada boys (James Vance and Ray Belknap). The prosecution alleged a subliminal message of "do it" had been included in the song "Better by You Better Than Me" (from the Stained Class album) which triggered the suicide attempt. The band was eventually acquitted. In a television interview, they commented that if they wanted to insert subliminal commands in their music, killing their fans would be counterproductive, and they would prefer to insert the command "Buy more of our records."
Subliminal message trial
Discography
External links