Judas Priest

When the world thinks of heavy metal in its pure, potent, undiluted form, it
is none other than the Metal Gods, Judas Priest, that instantly come to mind.
Chrome and black leather, studs and whips and chains, a chopper on stage ?
these are the tools of the trade for Rob Halford and his legendary band of
Birmingham bashers. Back stronger than ever, Judas Priest, in 2005, issued
their acclaimed Angel of Retribution album. It is long overdue that their
story be told. Published to coincide with a new album in fall 2007, Martin
Popoff's book, Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers, examines the band's rich
legacy album by album, anthem by anthem, recounting the band's shocking split
with Halford in the mid '90s and his triumphant return in 2003. Having
interviewed all the principals in the band repeatedly over the years, Popoff
gives a firsthand account of the Priest's rocky, often comical ride through
the '70s, through the gold and platinum records of the '80s, detailing the
long road back to the status the band now enjoys as heavy metal's proudest
ambassadors. Accompanying Popoff's lively text are more than 500 full-colour
images, the band's gleaming steel imagery springing to life through a myriad
of photos from the stage, memorabilia shots, cover graphics, and all manner of
Priestly feast for the electric eye.