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)
Steeler
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let chances pass you by
Always someone at your back
Biding their time for attack
Check for decoys, stay sharp edged
Double-crossers get your head
Carpet-baggers bluff and strike
Waiting like jackals to sneak up and trick you
Wolves in sheep's clothing, so deft in consoling
Lurking in shadows, they pounce least expected
When you come to, they'll have gone right through you
Tricksters, jilters, play their game
Sleight of handers, all the same
Masquerader in his lair
Wants to tangle in your hair
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song Steeler are a warning to listeners about the dangers of being too trusting and vulnerable. The song opens with a call to action - to not let chances pass you by and to keep your eyes open at all times. The line "always someone at your back, biding their time for attack" is a reflection of how there are always those waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of someone who is not paying attention. The lyrics go on to warn against double-crossers and carpet-baggers who bluff and strike when you least expect it. The "Kiss of Judas, spider like" is a biblical reference to Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus with a kiss. In this context, it is a warning that those who appear friendly could actually be plotting against you.
The chorus describes those who are waiting to take advantage of the unsuspecting - waiting like jackals to sneak up and trick you, wolves in sheep's clothing, lurking in shadows and pouncing when least expected. The song also warns against the tricksters, jilters, sleight-of-handers and masqueraders who want to tangle in your hair. These lyrics are a warning to be careful and not let your guard down - there are those who will take advantage of you if given the chance.
Overall, "Steeler" is a cautionary tale about the importance of being vigilant and not trusting those who may seem friendly but have hidden intentions. It is a warning against being naive and highlights the importance of always being aware of your surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
Catch the play now, eye to eye
Be aware of what is happening; don't look away
Don't let chances pass you by
Take advantage of opportunities as they arise
Always someone at your back
There are always those who would try to take advantage of you
Biding their time for attack
Waiting for the right moment to strike
Check for decoys, stay sharp edged
Be vigilant for distractions and stay focused
Double-crossers get your head
Be wary of those who would deceive you
Carpet-baggers bluff and strike
Watch out for those who pretend to be on your side but are really your enemy
Kiss of Judas, spider like
A reference to betrayal and deception, likening it to a venomous spider bite
Waiting like jackals to sneak up and trick you
The enemy is waiting for an opportunity to deceive you
Wolves in sheeps clothing, slow death in consoling
Those who appear to be kind and helpful may actually be leading you to your doom
Lurking in shadows, they pounce least expected
The enemy is hidden, waiting for a moment of vulnerability to strike
When you come to, they'll have gone right through you
By the time you realize what has happened, it will be too late
Tricksters, jilters play their game
Those who deceive and betray others are playing a dangerous game
Sleight-of-handers, all the same
All deceivers are alike in their methods
Masquerader in his lair
The enemy is hiding, pretending to be something he is not
Wants to tangle in your hair
The enemy wants to ensnare you
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
HinjuRock
Dave Holland's drums sound like cannons on this album, and he plays with machine-like power and precision, but with groove - he's my favorite metal drummer ever.
Bobby Blenio
Blasting the Cannons thru each Man of this Earth💥🦾
HinjuRock
@Bobby Blenio
Definitely. Rapid Fire is one of my favorite Priest songs too.
Keith Holbrook
Pretty sure that's Les Binks on drums.
HinjuRock
@Keith Holbrook
Nope. British Steel was Dave's first album with Judas Priest.
Mr. Timebomb Man
Nope
Dave A
How can there be so many great songs on one album?!
JSchneider
It's Judas Priest.
thewhiteelephant
Same with all Roth era Van Halen
The Reverend Craig J. Davies
It's called talent my good boy...talent.