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)
Nostradamus
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause my heart was strong
They would justify
Condemnation by invitation
I will survive
Stood my ground till the end
Engaged the enemy
Nostradamus, Nostradamus
Tame the beast
They send to kill
The congregation never broke my will
Nostradamus, Nostradamus
He has overcome
He can take the throne
[Chorus]
Nostradamus, dedication
Nostradamus is avenged
Nostradamus, our salvation
Nostradamus is avenged
I walked through fire to justify
Their inquisitions now condemned to die
Nostradamus, Nostradamus
Adversity on which I thrived
Destroys the alter, now I'm vilified
Nostradamus, Nostradamus
He has seized the day
He is here to stay
[Chorus]
Vindication
Ha has been avenged
They never broke my will
Cause my heart was strong
they cannot justify
i will survive
He has overpowered
This his finest hour
[Chorus]
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Nostradamus
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song "Nostradamus" speak about the French doctor and seer who claimed to have foreseen future events in his prophetic writings. The lyrics suggest that the singer never succumbed to the pressure of those who tried to discredit him or his abilities, and he managed to keep faith in himself and his predictions. Despite attempts to condemn him, he stood his ground until the end and protected his friends.
The singer seems to have gone through difficult times and trials, fighting the beast that was sent to kill him or harm him. He walked through fire and faced the inquisitions but never faltered, emerging victorious in the end. The lyrics suggest that he has overcome the challenges and is now ready to take the throne and claim his place in history.
The chorus, with its repetition of the name "Nostradamus," serves as a rallying cry, emphasizing the singer's dedication and vindication in the face of adversity.
Overall, the song speaks to the human spirit and the power of faith and belief. It conveys a message of strength and resilience, encouraging listeners to stand up for themselves and their convictions.
Line by Line Meaning
They never broke my will
Despite their efforts, they were unable to break my strong spirit
'cause my heart was strong
My heart was resilient and stout, which helped me endure the trials
They would justify
They made attempts to rationalize their actions
Condemnation by invitation
Inviting criticism and dislike upon oneself
I will survive
I am strong enough to make it through this difficult situation
Stood my ground till the end
I remained steadfast and committed until the very last
Engaged the enemy
I confronted and fought against those who opposed me
Protect my friends
Defended and provided safety for those loyal to me
Nostradamus, Nostradamus
Referring to the legendary French astrologer and poet, as if calling for his prophetic abilities as an ally
Tame the beast
Overcoming and controlling threatening or dangerous forces
They send to kill
Sending assassins or other lethal threats
The congregation never broke my will
The group or followers were never able to weaken my resolve
He has overcome
Acknowledging someone who has successfully conquered their obstacles
He can take the throne
Empowered to take their rightful place of leadership or authority
Nostradamus, dedication
Continuing to show loyalty in the face of adversity, still calling upon Nostradamus for inspiration
Nostradamus is avenged
Seeking retribution on those who wronged or harmed us
Nostradamus, our salvation
Viewing Nostradamus as a savior or source of hope and light
I walked through fire to justify
Enduring a painful and difficult ordeal to prove something to myself or others
Their inquisitions now condemned to die
The investigations or questioning of my actions are now criticized and destined to fail
Adversity on which I thrived
Overcoming difficult situations that actually helped me prosper
Destroys the alter, now I'm vilified
Undermining and rejecting the values of those who oppose me, causing them to hate and isolate me
He has seized the day
Taking advantage of the present moment and savoring triumphs
He is here to stay
Asserting oneself and making a lasting impression or impact
Vindication
Feeling validated and proven right
Ha has been avenged
Celebrating success and revenge against one's enemies
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN TIPTON, GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, K.K. DOWNING, KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@caesarstrings
They never broke my will
Cause my heart was strong
They won't justify
Condemnation, my vindication
But I will survive
Stood my ground 'till the end
Engaged the enemy protect my friends
Nostradamus [x2]
Tamed the beast
They sent to kill
The congregation never broke my will
Nostradamus [x2]
He has overcome
He can take the throne
Nostradamus; vindication
Nostradamus; is avenged
Nostradamus; our salvation
Nostradamus; he's avenged
I walked through fire to justify
Their inquisitions all condemned to die
Nostradamus [x2]
Adversity on which I thrived
Destroys the altar now I'm vilified
Nostradamus [x2]
He has seized the day
He is here to stay
Nostradamus; vindication
Nostradamus; is avenged
Nostradamus; our salvation
Nostradamus; he's avenged
Vindication,
He has been avenged
They never broke my will
Because my heart was strong
They can't justify
I will survive
He has overpowered
It's his finest hour
Nostradamus; vindication
Nostradamus; is avenged
Nostradamus; our salvation
Nostradamus; he's avenged
Nostradamus [x4]
@movieman1556
Extremely underrated song from the band. It is literally a classic tune.
@davidknichal6629
Classic tune for few fans of course
@nsgobbi
What you mean “underrated” ?
Would you want a missile like this be “popular” outside the fans community ? If you ask most of JP fans will rate it among their top 10.
@adamsteele6148
@@nsgobbithis song is absolute fire. I don't care who knows it. Truth is truth.
@chasemathis2016
literally, not figuratively, literally a classic
@Piesito202cuatro
Porque será
@sageofsanity
One of the best concept albums ever created!!!!!!
@davidknichal6629
SSOSS and Operation Mindcrime are better, but did not expect Judas Priest to compose such a great concept album at all. For me they were back in the mid 80's lil bit cheesy ones
@jakn4sweetnlows238
Clever, clever
@aaronstark5060
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact that Rob Hanford was almost 60 when they recorded this and he could STILL belt out a scream like that?