The band's membership has seen much turnover, including a revolving cast of drummers in the 1970s and the departure of singer Rob Halford in 1992. Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Winter's Bane, replaced Halford in 1996 and recorded two albums with Judas Priest, before Halford returned to the band in 2003. The current line-up consists of Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis. The band's best-selling album is 1982's Screaming for Vengeance, with their most commercially successful line-up featuring Ian Hill, Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, guitarist K. K. Downing, and drummer Dave Holland. Tipton and Hill are the only two members of the band to appear on every album.
Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of Downing and Tipton have been a major influence on heavy metal bands. Judas Priest's image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing were widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s. The Guardian referred to British Steel as the record that defines heavy metal. Despite a decline in exposure during the mid-1990s, the band has once again seen a resurgence, including worldwide tours, being inaugural inductees into the VH1 Rock Honors in 2006, receiving a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2010, and having their songs featured in video games such as Guitar Hero and the Rock Band series. In 2022, Judas Priest were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest
Studio albums
Rocka Rolla (1974)
Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
Sin After Sin (1977)
Stained Class (1978)
Killing Machine (1978)
British Steel (1980)
Point of Entry (1981)
Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
Defenders of the Faith (1984)
Turbo (1986)
Ram It Down (1988)
Painkiller (1990)
Jugulator (1997)
Demolition (2001)
Angel of Retribution (2005)
Nostradamus (2008)
Redeemer of Souls (2014)
Firepower (2018)
Invincible Shield (2024)
As God is my Witness
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Thoughts of death lead me astray
Prying eyes reveal a lost illusion
I shall resist when evil comes my way
When minds collide
War of the worlds
Speaking in tongues of the unholy
As God is my witness
I swear there'll be hell to pay
As God is my witness
I will prevail until the end of days
Defiance makes me climb the highest mountain
To freely breathe the air that I demand
If I can crush the nightmares of oblivion
The tide will turn and bring me back to land
Man's destiny invokes heresy
Speaking in tongues that spit out fire
As God is my witness
I swear there'll be hell to pay
As God is my witness
I will prevail until the end
As God is my witness
I swear there'll be hell to pay
As God is my witness
I will prevail until the end of days
Zadkiel's unholy war begins
They crawl to Jacob's ladder
No forgiveness for their sins
(Sins, sins, sins, sins)
Man's destiny invokes heresy
Feeding the minds of the unholy
When minds collide war of the worlds
Speaking in tongues that spit out fire
As God is my witness
I swear there'll be hell to pay
As God is my witness
I will prevail until the end
God is my witness
I swear there'll be hell to pay
As God is my witness
I will prevail until the end of days
The lyrics of Judas Priest's "As God is my Witness" depict a tumultuous inner struggle and defiance against malevolent forces. The singer is trapped in a "ball of confusion," overwhelmed by thoughts of death that lead them astray. Despite prying eyes revealing their lost illusions, they declare their determination to resist evil when it comes their way. The imagery of minds colliding and a war of worlds symbolizes the intense conflict within the singer's psyche, exacerbated by speaking in tongues of the unholy, hinting at a battle between good and evil.
The repeated refrain of "As God is my witness, I swear there'll be hell to pay, I will prevail until the end of days" underscores the singer's unwavering commitment to overcoming adversity, no matter the cost. There is a sense of defiance and determination as they proclaim their intent to climb the highest mountain and demand the freedom to breathe the air they seek. Crushing the nightmares of oblivion is seen as a pivotal step towards regaining stability and finding solid ground in the chaos.
The lyrics further delve into themes of destiny, heresy, and unholy war, portraying a grim and apocalyptic scenario where forgiveness is scarce and sins weigh heavily on all. The mention of Zadkiel's unholy war and crawling to Jacob's ladder adds a biblical and esoteric dimension to the narrative, intensifying the gravity of the singer's internal and external struggles. The evocative language of speaking in tongues that spit out fire underscores the intensity of the conflict and the stakes involved in the battle between light and darkness.
In conclusion, "As God is my Witness" is a powerful declaration of resilience, defiance, and a steadfast resolve to overcome challenges and prevail against all odds. Through vivid imagery, intense symbolism, and evocative language, Judas Priest crafts a narrative of inner turmoil, external threats, and the unyielding spirit of a protagonist determined to endure until the end of days. The lyrics resonate with themes of faith, perseverance, and the eternal battle between good and evil, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Glenn Raymond Tipton, Richard Faulkner, Robert Halford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roboz-zp9dj
I first heard Judas Priest in high school. I’m 60 years old now. Forever Judas Priest - time is not their enemy!
@davek8427
The new Priest is amazing !!!
@archbishoprichardforceginn9338
Excellent 🌠🔥✋😎👑
@fkfakemusic3172
after 50 years they better get it right lol
@a8anasios666
@@fkfakemusic3172broooo they been getting it right for half a century now😂😂❤❤❤
@fkfakemusic3172
@@a8anasios666 dont think so they used to wear womans clothes and do heavy drugs
@Micha-th8fb
Yes but the guitar melody was already Heard somewhere before . .
@user-so8ei2td1d
THE PRIEST IS BACK, AS ALWAYS...
@miguelcastro1248
Judas Priest somehow manages to keep its essence and still sound as a 2024 production. True legends 🤘
@altrn0
Credits producer andy sneap (jp, saxon, accept work it)