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)
The Tyrant
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whose grip controls you all
Resist me not, surrender
I'll no compassion call
(Tyrant) Capture of humanity
(Tyrant) Conqueror of all
(Tyrant) Hideous destructor
Your very lives are held within my fingers
I snap them and you cower down in fear
You spineless things who belly down to slither
To the end of the world you follow to be near
(Tyrant) Capture of humanity
(Tyrant) Conqueror of all
(Tyrant) Hideous destructor
(Tyrant) Every man shall fall
Mourn for us oppressed in fear
Chained and shackled we are bound
Freedom choked in dread we live
Since Tyrant was enthroned
I listen not to sympathy
Whilst ruler of this land
Withdraw your feeble aches and moans
Or suffer smite from this my hand
(Tyrant) Capture of humanity
(Tyrant) Conqueror of all
(Tyrant) Hideous destructor
(Tyrant) Every man shall fall
Mourn for us oppressed in fear
Chained and shackled we are bound
Freedom choked in dread we live
Since Tyrant was enthroned
My legions faithful unto death
I'll summon to my court
And as you perish each of you
Shall scream as you are sought
(Tyrant) Capture of humanity
(Tyrant) Conqueror of all
(Tyrant) Hideous destructor
(Tyrant) Every man shall fall
The lyrics of Judas Priest's song "Tyrant" depict a powerful, ruthless leader who controls his subjects with an iron grip. The opening lines make it clear that this is a figure of great authority, one whose every command must be followed without question. The lyrics suggest that this tyrant is not a benevolent ruler, but rather someone who takes pleasure in the suffering of others. He boasts of his ability to destroy any who oppose him, and describes his subjects as "spineless things who belly down to slither." The song includes a powerful call to action for those who have been oppressed by this tyrant, urging them to rise up against their oppressor and fight for their freedom.
The lyrics are written in a generally straightforward style, with a strong emphasis on the power dynamic between the tyrant and his subjects. The language is forceful and confrontational, reflecting the anger and frustration of those who have been subjugated by this leader. Despite the heavy subject matter, however, the song's melody and instrumentation are energetic and powerful, creating an atmosphere of strength and determination that is clearly meant to inspire those listening.
Line by Line Meaning
Behold 'tis I the commander
I am the leader and in charge of all
Whose grip controls you all
My influence and power are in control of all of you
Resist me not, surrender
Do not fight against me, give in and submit
I'll no compassion call
I have no mercy or pity for you
(Tyrant) Capture of humanity
I am taking over and enslaving all of mankind
(Tyrant) Conqueror of all
I have defeated and triumphed over everything and everyone
(Tyrant) Hideous destructor
My actions are cruel and destructive
(Tyrant) Every man shall fall
All of humanity will eventually succumb to my power
Your very lives are held within my fingers
I have complete control over your lives
I snap them and you cower down in fear
If I choose to harm you, you will be scared and submissive
You spineless things who belly down to slither
You are weak and cowardly, willing to grovel and crawl
To the end of the world you follow to be near
You will blindly follow me to the edge of the earth to be close to me
Mourn for us oppressed in fear
We are sorrowful and afraid because of what you have done to us
Chained and shackled we are bound
We are imprisoned and restricted by you
Freedom choked in dread we live
We are not truly free and live in constant fear
Since Tyrant was enthroned
Since you have taken control and become ruler
I listen not to sympathy
I do not care about your feelings or emotions
Whilst ruler of this land
As the leader of this territory
Withdraw your feeble aches and moans
Stop complaining and expressing your weakness
Or suffer smite from this my hand
Or face the punishment and wrath of my power
My legions faithful unto death
My devoted followers who will die for me
I'll summon to my court
I will gather them to me
And as you perish each of you
As you die one by one
Shall scream as you are sought
You will cry out in agony as I pursue you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GLENN TIPTON, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind