Top 5 Judas Priest Songs by Judas Priestess

Posted January 12 by Jeanne F.

New York City’s Judas Priestess are not the kind of girls you want to take home to mother… because mother would likely ditch dear ol’ dad and run away with this bunch of leather-clad heathens. The all-female cover band already has props from Rob Halford himself, and with good reason. These babes do not fuck around when it comes to praising the metal gods. Each of the five members picked their ultimate Priest track, which should shed a little light on their individual personalities. Be sure to catch them at their upcoming shows. Bring your mom.

Jan. 23 - Rose's Cantina Backstage Rock Bar - Groton, Connecticut
Jan. 29 - Brooklyn Bowl - Williamsburg, New York
Feb. 06 - Seaside Tavern - Stamford, Connecticut

The Top 5, and a clip of the band after the jump.

1. VICTIM OF CHANGES from Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

VICTIM is a crowning achievement in the history of Judas Priest, and in all of metal/hard rock in my opinion. This incredible song, which brings together so many musical elements, directions and forces, has to be one of the most dramatic and passionately delivered songs ever created by a rock group. It’s very essence: “Victim Of Changes” is something all fall prey to constantly. Rob Halford’s stunning vocals cannot be beat as they sear and rip through this brilliant and timeless work, setting a new standard for excellence and pure artistry in 1976! It is a dazzling enduring song that separates the wheat from the chaff to this very day.
- D Mercedes, guitar

2. RAPID FIRE from British Steel (1980)

This is probably the TOUGHEST song ever written. It's thick with layers of intense imagery and textures of power, jam-packed into one mean thrill ride. The consonants fly like bullets, hence the name!!! Halford's delivery is so theatrical, it's damn near Shakespearian with his rolling r's and plosive rhythms. Not to mention, he invented a freggin word: Desolisating?? Awesome... Dueling guitar solos that rip your face off, drums like a jackhammer, and Halford's signature high note at the end. It don't get any more metal than this!
- MilitiA, vocals

3. PAINKILLER from Painkiller (1990)

Released in 1990 with the addition of Scott Travis on drums this Judas Priest song took the band’s sound and musicianship to a whole new level of hardcore metal. Every instrument and vocal in this song is on full throttle from Travis’ unparalleled opening drum solo to Halford’s last astounding note. Twenty years later this song is still the standard to which any real metal drummer should be held. "Painkiller" is truly a timeless, mind shattering, metal masterpiece!
- Jo Tubeato, drums

4. STARBREAKER from Sin After Sin (1977)

A pioneering tune for Priest. With a drum intro similar to “Living After Midnight,” this song was the forerunner of the hit singles they would become famous for. Priest were still developing their sound in the ‘70s, but by Sin After Sin they really hit their stride. The rhythm is powerful, the guitars growl, the vocals hook you instantly. A forgotten classic.
- Grace Maiden of Metal, guitar

5. DEEP FREEZE from Rocka Rolla (1974)

One minute, 21 seconds of pure stoner/doom bliss that I wish had been developed into a full-length tune. Part of a trilogy of songs off their '74 debut album Rocka Rolla, you can clearly hear the Black Sabbath/Pink Floyd influence. A slow descending bluesy riff reaches a climax with vocals straight from the wells of the soul: "I still get this, awful feeling!" Reminds me of Pentagram, one of my faves.
-Gyda Gash, bass

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