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)
Eulogy
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the even tide on mass
See them gather yet alas
They remain still as stained class
For they know only too well
That the story they will tell
Conjures up an ageless spell
So it goes forever more
Ever steady to the core
That the sign that they came for
Waves majestic from the floor
The first lines of Judas Priest's song Eulogy describe a group of people gathering for some sort of ceremony or ritual, as they stand still "as stained class." The repetition of "on mass" and "they remain still" creates an eerie and ominous tone, hinting at the seriousness of the occasion. The lyrics suggest that these people are aware of the power of the story they are about to tell, as it "conjures up an ageless spell" and is "guarded by the Sentinel." The "Sentinel" could refer to a guardian or gatekeeper of some sort, but it may also have a deeper meaning as a symbol of protection or guidance.
The final lines of the verse seem to suggest that the story and ceremony are timeless and unchanging, as they "go forever more" and are "ever steady to the core." The "sign" that the people came for is described as "majestic," implying that it is something of great significance or even religious importance. Without further context or information, it's difficult to determine exactly what the lyrics are referring to or what message they are trying to convey. However, the evocative language and images create a sense of mystery and awe, inviting the listener to imagine their own interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
And so now it comes to pass
The moment we've all been anticipating is finally happening
By the even tide on mass
This event is taking place at dusk with a large gathering of people
See them gather yet alas
Despite the excitement, there is a sense of sadness among the crowd
They remain still as stained class
The people are frozen in awe, like a preserved masterpiece
For they know only too well
The people are aware of what's going to happen next
That the story they will tell
The story that's about to unfold is well-known to the audience
Conjures up an ageless spell
The story has a mystical quality that transcends time
Guarded by the Sentinel
The story is protected by something or someone powerful
So it goes forever more
This story will be told for generations to come
Ever steady to the core
The story will never lose its steadfastness and significance
That the sign that they came for
The people came to witness and experience something of great importance
Waves majestic from the floor
The event or story is grand and magnificent, emanating from the ground up
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD, GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@henrikhyrup3995
A really, really underrated song, IMO.
@Panzermaschinen
Agreed.
@Brendini27
This has become one of my favorite Priest songs.
@ivailovelev4468
Beautiful and epic song! The whole album is perfect. One of my favourite metal albums 🎧🎶
@EnriqueHernandez-ot7ig
This song is awesome
@Sarraqin
In contrast to all the bullshit I'm reading in the comments, this song is everything heavy metal is about. Fans and their devotion to a band. The bonds that tie us all with the great heroes of our adolescence, the songs that became the soundtrack of the moments that turned us from boys to men. And no matter what happens, the feeling that we can always return to innocence, when "...the sign that we came for, waves majestic from the floor."
@airish1531
Great song.. Lower me into the earth as the song plays and fades in the distance
@tdnur
I can imagine playing this on my funeral
@manuelgioiosa7768
Anything can happen..
@Mr.77776
Underrated album. All great tunes.