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)
Sword of Damocles
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's danger to challenge the throne
Deceivers will rise and weave their web of stealth
Can you face them standing alone?
When men lead by words that are false as they preach
Fatality waits in the wings
Surrounded by fools behind walls that are breached
Stand tall rise up stay strong fighting your enemies
Truth will find it's reward
If you live and die by the sword
The whispers can't hide when the tongues are let loose
Then hiding the truth is absurd
A stab in the back or taste of the noose
Is when action speaks louder than words
Stand tall rise up stay strong fighting your enemies
Truth will find it's reward
If you live and die by the sword
Wield the spear of light
Guard it with your life
Wield the spear of light
Guard it with your life
Sword of Damocles, sword of Damocles
Stand tall rise up stay strong fighting your enemies
Truth will find it's reward
If you live and die by the sword
His truth will find its reward
If you live and die by the sword
The lyrics of Judas Priest's song Sword of Damocles speak of a challenge to the throne and the dangers that come with it. The singer questions if the listener would dare take up the challenge, knowing that deceivers will rise and weave their web of deceit around them. The song warns of being surrounded by fools and cautions against the jester that sings. The lyrics urge the listener to stand tall, rise up, and stay strong in the face of their enemies. The song emphasizes the importance of truth and warns that hiding it behind whispers is absurd. It encourages the listener to wield the spear of light and guard it with their life. The final lines state that truth will find its reward, as long as one lives and dies by the sword.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you take the dare if it ever was placed
Are you willing to take a risk if the opportunity arises?
There's danger to challenge the throne
It is risky to challenge those in power.
Deceivers will rise and weave their web of stealth
Those who deceive will use stealthy tactics to achieve their goals.
Can you face them standing alone?
Are you capable of confronting them by yourself?
When men lead by words that are false as they preach
When leaders preach falsehoods, fatal consequences await.
Fatality waits in the wings
Death is imminent.
Surrounded by fools behind walls that are breached
Being enclosed behind weak walls with foolish people may lead to danger.
Beware of the jester that sings
Be wary of those who use laughter as a weapon.
Stand tall rise up stay strong fighting your enemies
Stay strong and fight against your enemies.
Truth will find it's reward
The reward for being truthful will come.
If you live and die by the sword
If you live and die by the principles you believe in.
The whispers can't hide when the tongues are let loose
Secrets cannot be kept when people start gossiping.
Then hiding the truth is absurd
Concealing the truth is a senseless act.
A stab in the back or taste of the noose
Backstabbing or hanging will cause great harm.
Is when action speaks louder than words
Actions have more impact than words.
Wield the spear of light
Take up the weapon of truth.
Guard it with your life
Protect it at all costs.
Sword of Damocles, sword of Damocles
The sword of danger or threat.
His truth will find its reward
The one who speaks the truth will ultimately be recognized and rewarded.
If you live and die by the sword
If you live and die by the principles you believe in.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, RICHARD FAULKNER, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nate Beakley
I've read a lot of bad reviews of this album. I don't get what the fuss is all about. As a lifelong metalhead and Judas Priest fan, I am loving this album!!!
Debiruman1666
The problem of this album is the same that with Ram It Down, they(re too much of mixed bags, and the so-so songs dilute the impact of the whole...
Instead of 12 songs, they should have kept the 8 best songs and the whole would have sounded stronger.
Jill Bill
Nostradamus sucked, this one has some solid fucking songs
Crno Zlo
I like maybe half of the songs, but that I like really a lot. Hell & back is my favourite. Iron maiden's albums all sound pretty much a like and nobody will downplay them because of that.
lucian calin
It's awsome!
Judas Priest doesn't sing blues like in 1970!
Ronald Badke
I dont know where you heard this. Fake News. I thought the reviews were mostly favorable. It is considered a very strong album.
Blind Faith
I get goosebumps when he says "Truth will find its reward"!
Mil'Hades
yup the multi-layered harmonic vocals of Rob are truly spot on there, he really knows how to harmonize with himself.
Дмитрий Берсенев
Lol. I read yr comment exactly at that moment 1:18
Eric Stall
Cool