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)
Invader
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw a seering flash of light erupt and skyward go
I staggered back in dazed surprise
What was it I had seen?
And as I stood there mesmerized I heard my spirit scream
Invader, invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
This is the first of more to come in carefully planned attacks
If it is so we must prepare defenses to fight back
The call is out throughout the world
United we must stand
To build a line, strategic force, they will not take a man
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
When they come to take control every man must play his role
They won't take our world away when the children we leave
Will have to believe in today
We warn you now you things out there
Whatever you may send
We won't give in without a fight, a fight until the end
With vigilance by day and night our scanners trace the sky
A shield is sealed upon this earth, a shield you won't get by
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
Invader invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
Judas Priest's "Invader" is a song that is believed to be about an alien invasion from outer space. The song is open to interpretation and can be related to many other themes like fear, war, or even political conflict. The opening lines describe a smoking field and a flash of light that seems to go skyward. This creates a high level of ambiguity and fear, as the singer is unsure of what is happening in front of them. The singer is mesmerized by what they see but also scared as they hear their "spirit" scream.
The song describes a carefully planned attack in which an invader is preparing to take over the world. The call is out to unite the world and prepare defenses to fight back. The singer warns the invaders, whoever or whatever they are, that they will not give in without a fight. They are willing to defend the planet at all costs. The lyrics seem to suggest that the aliens are trying to take control of the entire Earth and must be stopped.
In conclusion, "Invader" by Judas Priest is a timeless sci-fi classic. The song narrates the story of a fearless hero who is ready to fight back against an extraterrestrial invasion. The song, which is a mix of traditional metal and sci-fi themes, has been appreciated by both Judas Priest fans and science fiction enthusiasts alike.
Line by Line Meaning
I came across a smoking field, pulsating afterglow
I stumbled upon a site that was still smoldering and emitting a bright glow.
I saw a seering flash of light erupt and skyward go
A sudden and intense burst of light arose and traveled into the sky before my eyes.
I staggered back in dazed surprise
What was it I had seen?
The events that had just occurred astonished me and caused me to question what I had witnessed.
And as I stood there mesmerized I heard my spirit scream
I became hypnotized by the spectacle as my inner being cried out in fear.
This is the first of more to come in carefully planned attacks
If it is so we must prepare defenses to fight back
These attacks are only the beginning, and we must be ready to defend ourselves if we are to survive.
The call is out throughout the world
United we must stand
To build a line, strategic force, they will not take a man
The warning has been sounded, and the entire world must come together as one to construct a fortified front that will ensure our continued existence.
When they come to take control every man must play his role
They won't take our world away when the children we leave
Will have to believe in today
Each of us must be willing to do our part when the time comes to resist the would-be conquerors, so that future generations will have a chance to thrive in a world of possibilities.
We warn you now you things out there
Whatever you may send
We won't give in without a fight, a fight until the end
We offer this warning to those who seek to enslave us, no matter what weapons you bring to bear, we will fight on until we achieve victory at all costs.
With vigilance by day and night our scanners trace the sky
A shield is sealed upon this earth, a shield you won't get by
We're constantly on the lookout, surveilling the sky around the clock and with our superior technology, we've forged an impenetrable barrier which will defeat any invasion attempt.
Invader, invader nearby
Invader, invader is nigh
The invaders are here or on their way, and they are a threat that can't be ignored.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT HALFORD, IAN HILL, GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind