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)
Battle Cry
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honor bound from whence he roamed
Fortitude and skill
Call of duty all alone
Lead the nation for the crown
Serve the orders coming down
Charge ahead with pride
Those forsaken reawakened with my battle cry
Indestructible by choice
Valor rings out with the voice
Rail the consequence
Destiny's the flag you hoist
Your endeavor lives forever with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Never die
Cast this sorrow to the wind
Let tomorrow be the light you're made to herald in
Like a master of the seven seas
Your reputation's grown
This eternal flame's been sown
Praise for sacrifice that's done
Well deserved you carried on
Let your hearts be full
For those heroes every one
Restitution absolution with my battle cry
Exoneration condemnation with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Battle cry
The lyrics of Judas Priest's Battle Cry describe a hero returning to his home country after being away, presumably fighting in a war. The hero is praised for his honor, fortitude, skills, and chivalry. He is expected to lead the nation, serve the orders from his leaders, and charge ahead with pride. The hero's battle cry awakens and inspires those who have been forsaken. The hero is praised for his valor and his act of carrying on with his sacrifice, which is viewed as deserving of praise and absolution.
The chorus emphasizes the hero's strength and fearlessness in battle. The hero is declared "indestructible by choice," suggesting that he chooses to be strong and resilient in the face of danger. The battle cry is said to make his endeavor live forever, implying that his bravery and sacrifice will be remembered forever. The final lines of the song suggest that the hero's sacrifice has led to the eternal flame being sown, likely a metaphor for the creation of a better future as a result of the hero's efforts.
Overall, the song presents a heroic, almost mythic image of a soldier fighting for his country, willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. The hero is praised for his bravery, skill, and honor, and his battle cry is presented as a powerful force that inspires others to join the fight.
Line by Line Meaning
Hail the hero coming home
Welcome home to the hero who is returning.
Honor bound from whence he roamed
The hero is bound to his duty wherever he goes.
Fortitude and skill
Courage and expertise
Call of duty all alone
The hero is answering the call of duty alone.
Lead the nation for the crown
Lead the nation for the king/queen and country.
Serve the orders coming down
Follow the orders given to you.
Charge ahead with pride
Move forward with confidence.
Guard the chivalry you've shown
Protect the honor and bravery you've demonstrated.
Those forsaken reawakened with my battle cry
My battle cry will awaken those who have been abandoned.
Indestructible by choice
I am invincible because I choose to be.
Valor rings out with the voice
My courageous voice echoes proudly.
Rail the consequence
Face the consequences without fear.
Destiny's the flag you hoist
Destiny is the banner you raise.
Your endeavor lives forever with my battle cry
Your efforts will be remembered in my battle cry.
Battle cry
The cry of battle.
Death defy
Risking your life to face death.
Never die
Fighting until the end.
Cast this sorrow to the wind
Let go of sadness and accept the present.
Let tomorrow be the light you're made to herald in
Look forward to the future with positivity and hope.
Like a master of the seven seas
Like a skilled captain on the ocean.
Your reputation's grown
Your reputation for bravery and honor has spread.
This eternal flame's been sown
This flame of passion and bravery has been ignited.
Praise for sacrifice that's done
Praise for the sacrifices you have made.
Well deserved you carried on
You deserve recognition for your efforts and perseverance.
Let your hearts be full
Be proud and content with what you've accomplished.
For those heroes every one
For all heroes, no matter who they are.
Restitution absolution with my battle cry
My battle cry brings restoration and forgiveness.
Exoneration condemnation with my battle cry
My battle cry both frees and condemns.
Battle cry
The sound of the battle cry.
Death defy
Courage in the face of death.
Battle cry
The cry of battle.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Glenn Raymond Tipton, Richard Faulkner, Robert Halford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phantasm ~ ᛈᚺᚨᚾᛏᚨᛋᛗ
Battle Cry
By Judas Priest
Hail the hero coming home
Honor bound from whence he roamed
Fortitude and skill
Call of duty all alone
Lead the nation for the crown
Serve the orders coming down
Charge ahead with pride
Guard the chivalry you've shown
Those forsaken reawakened with my battle cry
Indestructible by choice
Valor rings out with the voice
Rail the consequence
Destiny's the flag you hoist
Your endeavor lives forever with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Never die
Cast this sorrow to the wind
Let tomorrow be the light you're made to herald in
Like a master of the seven seas
Your reputation's grown
This eternal flame's been sown
Praise for sacrifice that's done
Well deserved you carried on
Let your hearts be full
For those heroes every one
Restitution absolution with my battle cry
Exoneration condemnation with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Battle cry
Quetzal Ulises Orion
Hail the hero coming home
Honour bound from whence he roamed
Fortitude and skill
Call of duty all alone
Lead the nation for the crown
Serve the orders coming down
Charge ahead with pride
Guard the chivalry you've shown
Those forsaken reawakened with my battle cry
Indestructible by choice
Valour rings out with the voice
Rail the consequence
Destiny's the flag you hoist
Your endeavor lives forever with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Never die
Cast this sorrow to the wind
Let tomorrow be the light you're made to herald in
Like a master of the seven seas
Your reputation's grown
This eternal flame's been sown
Praise for sacrifice that's done
Well deserved you carried on
Let your hearts be full
For those heroes every one
Restitution absolution with my battle cry
Exoneration condemnation with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Battle cry
E. Dean Thomas
At 63, Rob's vocal range is greater than most at TWENTY-three. The man is one-of-a-kind!
ArtBellJr
Have you seen the documentary when he sings in court ? That to me was proving ground live and on key.
William Hathaway
I am 63 wish I could play like that
Tenebris Angelus
74 yo now and he still performing incredibly
Nogy
Thank you Judas Priest for all your music that you made. You are one of my most favourite music interpretes.
Phantasm ~ ᛈᚺᚨᚾᛏᚨᛋᛗ
Battle Cry
By Judas Priest
Hail the hero coming home
Honor bound from whence he roamed
Fortitude and skill
Call of duty all alone
Lead the nation for the crown
Serve the orders coming down
Charge ahead with pride
Guard the chivalry you've shown
Those forsaken reawakened with my battle cry
Indestructible by choice
Valor rings out with the voice
Rail the consequence
Destiny's the flag you hoist
Your endeavor lives forever with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Never die
Cast this sorrow to the wind
Let tomorrow be the light you're made to herald in
Like a master of the seven seas
Your reputation's grown
This eternal flame's been sown
Praise for sacrifice that's done
Well deserved you carried on
Let your hearts be full
For those heroes every one
Restitution absolution with my battle cry
Exoneration condemnation with my battle cry
Battle cry
Death defy
Battle cry
Battle cry
christos ps
Phantasm thenx :P
Orlando Martino
debastating rob God Halford
Josie
Tekr45 yeah, but you see, we're lazy. this is a welcome addition to me, for example, on mobile
p mj
J