The song is about The Painkiller. The Painkiller himself is one of a series of fictional messiahs created by Judas Priest. He is described as a metal messiah sent to the world to destroy evil and rescue mankind from destruction. He is believed to be inspired by the fallen angel from the Sad Wings of Destiny album cover that Judas Priest recorded early in their musical years. The most noticeable feature of the Painkiller, besides his metal body is that he rides the metal monster: a motorcycle with a dragon for the chassis and two circular saws for wheels.
The song was covered by death metal band Death on their 1998 album Sound of Perseverance. This version also appeared on the Judas Priest tribute album Legends Of Metal - A Tribute To Judas Priest Volume II. The brazilian power metal band Angra has covered the song too on the album Freedom Call, released in 1996. Also, more recently, the British thrash/power metal band Biomechanical did a cover of the song, featuring Chris Tsangarides, who produced the Painkiller album.
The first guitar solo in the song is played by Tipton, and the second final guitar solo is played by Downing.
Rob Halford sings Painkiller exclusively in a screeching falsetto.
The song is featured in the video game Rock Band 2 and is considered to be one of the hardest tracks in the game, being ranked in the last group of songs on the setlist for all instruments; it is also the final song in the "Rolling Stone Rock Immortal Setlist". The vocal part of the song is particularly difficult due to a section in the final phrase where the singer has to hold a note for a full 19 seconds.
Painkiller
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Terrifying scream
Enraged and full of anger
He is half man and half machine
Rides the metal monster
Breathing smoke and fire
Closing in with vengeance soaring high
This is the Painkiller
Planets devastated
Mankind's on its knees
A savior comes from out the skies
In answer to their pleas
Through boiling clouds of thunder
Blasting bolts of steel
Evils going under deadly wheels
He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller
Faster then a laser bullet
Louder than an atom bomb
Chromium plated boiling metal
Brighter than a thousand suns
Flying high on rapture
Stronger free and brave
Nevermore encaptured
They've been brought back from the grave
With mankind resurrected
Forever to survive
Returns from Armageddon to the skies
He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller
Wings of steel Painkiller
Deadly wheels Painkiller
Ah
He is the Painkiller (killer)
This is the Painkiller (killer)
He is the Painkiller (killer)
This is the Painkiller (killer)
Pain, pain, killer, killer
Pain, pain, killer, killer
Can't stop the Painkiller
Pain (pain)
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song "Painkiller" describe a powerful, unstoppable force that comes to Earth to save humanity. The Painkiller is described as being both man and machine, with the ability to ride a "metal monster" while breathing smoke and fire. The song depicts the Painkiller as a savior who arrives to answer the pleas of mankind in their time of need, and who is able to devastate planets and defeat evil with ease. The song's lyrics also emphasize the Painkiller's speed and power, calling it "faster than a bullet" and "louder than an atom bomb."
Overall, "Painkiller" is a song that celebrates strength, power, and resilience. The Painkiller represents an unstoppable force that can triumph over evil and rescue humanity from the brink of destruction. The song's lyrics focus on themes of heroism and empowerment, with the Painkiller serving as a symbol of hope and inspiration for those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Faster than a bullet
The Painkiller is incredibly fast and speedy.
Terrifying scream
The Painkiller's scream is so horrifying that it instills fear in others.
Enraged and full of anger
The Painkiller is filled with rage and anger which fuels their mission.
He is half man and half machine
The Painkiller is part human and part machine, symbolizing his relentless nature.
Rides the metal monster
The Painkiller rides a powerful machine, unstoppable and fierce.
Breathing smoke and fire
The Painkiller's machine exhales exhaust and fire, emphasizing its danger.
Closing in with vengeance soaring high
The Painkiller is approaching with his anger soaring high to exact his revenge.
He is the Painkiller
The character is identified as the Painkiller, embodying his mission and power.
This is the Painkiller
The context being established and repeated that the character is the Painkiller.
Planets devastated
The Painkiller has wreaked havoc on planets in his pursuit of justice.
Mankind's on its knees
Humanity is vulnerable and at the mercy of the Painkiller.
A savior comes from out the skies
The Painkiller is a hero appearing out of the sky when humanity is in dire need.
In answer to their pleas
The Painkiller responds to the desperate cries for help from humanity.
Through boiling clouds if thunder
The Painkiller travels through dangerous weather, highlighting their bravery.
Blasting bolts of steel
The Painkiller uses destructive force to defeat their enemies.
Evils going under deadly wheels
The Painkiller crushes evil under the wheels of his powerful machine.
Faster then a laser bullet
The Painkiller is even faster than high-speed laser bullets.
Louder than an atom bomb
The Painkiller's impact is louder than an atomic explosion, emphasizing their power.
Chromium plated boiling metal
The Painkiller's machine is made of high-quality material, evoking the image of a deadly weapon.
Brighter than a thousand suns
The Painkiller is so powerful that his radiance is even greater than that of a thousand suns.
Flying high on rapture
The Painkiller is on a high from the thrill of battle and victory.
Stronger free and brave
The Painkiller's strength, freedom, and courage allow them to fight valiantly.
Nevermore encaptured
The Painkiller will never be held captive or imprisoned again, indicating their liberation.
They've been brought back from the grave
Humanity has been given a new lease on life, hence why they've been "brought back from the grave."
With mankind resurrected
Humanity is revived and renewed, emphasizing their second chance at life.
Forever to survive
Humanity will continue to persist indefinitely, despite danger and hardship.
Returns from Armageddon to the skies
The Painkiller will always return to save humanity, even after any apocalyptic event.
Wings of steel Painkiller
The Painkiller's machine possesses metal wings, adding to its majestic, powerful image.
Deadly wheels Painkiller
The Painkiller's machine has wheels that crush its enemies.
Ah
An interjection that adds emphasis to the preceding lyrics.
He is the Painkiller (killer)
The Painkiller's mission is to destroy his enemies, emphasizing his power and dominance with the addition of 'killer.'
This is the Painkiller (killer)
Reiterating the Painkiller's character and his prowess by using the suffix 'killer' twice.
Pain, pain, killer, killer
Repeating the keywords of the song to resonate with the audience and encapsulate the Painkiller's message.
Can't stop the Painkiller
The Painkiller's power is unstoppable, emphasizing his supernatural abilities.
Pain (pain)
Emphasizing that pain is an element of the Painkiller's style and message.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glenn Raymond Tipton, Kenneth Downing, Rob Halford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickgutierrez6328
there's enough metal in this song to build the fucking death star
@samsmith6892
Rick Gutierrez and cover that GD 2 meter hole
@benjaminwalkenhorst9670
Couldn't have said it better! ;-)
@rickgutierrez6328
James Smith twas
@LilyS1031
Lol!
@filthydwarf
top comment
@JackMcLeodJr
This album grabs you by the balls with one hand and by the throat with the other - and does NOT let go. Absolutely phenomenal.
@davidknichal6629
Well this is probably one of the coolest description of this song ever. I often say this song is like Tsunami that wont let you go, but your is better
@facepalmer1580
sounds non hetero
@JackMcLeodJr
@@facepalmer1580 Rob will appreciate that 🤣