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)
Trial By Fire
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't know my name
No one understood
So I took the blame
Where I left my mark
When the system fell
You were in my grasp
Hid behind your veil
Bound and abused
Branded a liar
I have endured
Trial by fire
Hang me out to dry
I broke every rule
Fell right in your trap
Played me for a fool
Catch you safe and sound
Tried to make you mine
Took this holy vow
Then you crossed the line
Burden of guilt
Branded a liar
Falsely accused
Trial by fire
Committed no crime
In my innocence
I have endured trial by fire
Life is so cruel and unbearable
I can't let you get in my way
What I need now is a miracle
To get to the end of each day
Burden of guilt
Branded a liar
Whipped and abused
Trial by fire
Committed no crime
In my innocence
I have endured trial by fire
Trial by fire
Trial by fire
"Trial By Fire" by Judas Priest is a song that delves into the experience of being unjustly accused and persecuted. The lyrics tell a story of a person who finds themselves in a difficult situation where they are wrongly blamed for something they didn't do. The opening lines, "Shot down in cold blood, didn't know my name, no one understood, so I took the blame," suggest a sense of helplessness and isolation, as no one supports or understands the singer.
As the system collapses, the person has an opportunity to confront those responsible. The lyrics mention leaving a mark when the system fell, indicating the singer's attempt to seek justice. However, the ones hiding behind a veil of deceit would rather deflect blame onto the person, who is then bound, abused, and branded a liar. This imagery emphasizes the oppressive nature of the situation, as the singer endures this trial by fire, or intense adversity and suffering.
The second verse shifts focus to a personal betrayal, where someone close to the singer plays them for a fool. By breaking every rule and falling into a trap, the singer realizes this person's true intentions. They confront their betrayer, swearing an oath to them, only to have that trust shattered when the line is crossed. The burden of guilt weighs heavily on the singer, as they are once again branded a liar, falsely accused, and subjected to further abuse.
In the final verse, the narrative takes a more introspective turn. The singer reaffirms their innocence, emphasizing that they committed no crime. They express the overwhelming pain and suffering caused by the injustice, using the metaphor of trial by fire. Life becomes unbearable, the person feels constantly burdened by the guilt and the circumstances. They long for a miracle to overcome the obstacles and get through each day.
Ultimately, "Trial By Fire" captures the emotions of someone who has been unjustly accused and persecuted, shedding light on the frustration, despair, and desire for justice. The lyrics highlight the resilience of the singer, who endures the trials and tribulations they face, clinging onto their innocence and hoping for a reprieve from their unjust circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot down in cold blood
I was maliciously attacked without warning
Didn't know my name
They didn't recognize or understand who I truly am
No one understood
There was a lack of empathy and comprehension
So I took the blame
Instead of defending myself, I accepted responsibility for something I didn't do
Where I left my mark
The impact I made in the past
When the system fell
During a time of chaos and collapse of the established order
You were in my grasp
I had control over you
Hid behind your veil
You concealed your true intentions and motives
Bound and abused
I was restrained and mistreated
Branded a liar
They labeled me as dishonest
I have endured
I have suffered and persevered
Trial by fire
A test of my strength and resilience through intense challenges
Hang me out to dry
Expose my actions or mistakes to public shame
I broke every rule
I disregarded and violated all the established guidelines
Fell right in your trap
I naively and willingly fell into the cunning trap you set
Played me for a fool
You deceived and manipulated me, taking advantage of my vulnerability
Catch you safe and sound
I aimed to capture you unharmed and secure
Tried to make you mine
I attempted to possess or control you
Took this holy vow
I made a sacred promise or commitment
Then you crossed the line
But you went beyond acceptable limits or boundaries
Burden of guilt
The weight and responsibility of feeling guilty
Falsely accused
Wrongly blamed for something I didn't do
Committed no crime
I didn't engage in any wrongdoing
In my innocence
With a pure and untainted nature
Life is so cruel and unbearable
Existence can be harsh and intolerable
I can't let you get in my way
I cannot allow you to hinder or obstruct my progress
What I need now is a miracle
I require an extraordinary event or assistance
To get to the end of each day
To successfully reach the conclusion of every day
Whipped and abused
Subjected to physical punishment and mistreatment
Trial by fire
An ordeal that tests my fortitude and determination
Trial by fire
Trial by fire, emphasizing the theme of enduring challenges
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Glenn Raymond Tipton, Richard Faulkner, Robert Halford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thefonzkiss
@@BillBlazejowski When I was just a baby
Stanley sat me on his knee
He told me, "My throat’s busted and I cannot sing in key
A lot of songs need synchin’ in every single town
So fake the words and dress up like a funny lookin’ clown!”
Sync on! That’s what he told me
Sync on! Keep on synchin’
Sync on! Whoa whoa whoa
Sync on! Cos KISStards will always pay!
@leokimvideo
A band that's from the core foundry roots of heavy metal. This is impressive for such a mature band
@thefonzkiss
I live for this
@charlysonoman
@@thefonzkiss NADA PERSONAL ✌️👍🇺🇾
@kitzo84
😊
@BillBlazejowski
@@thefonzkiss No you don't, you live to expose Gene and Paul.
@thefonzkiss
@@BillBlazejowski When I was just a baby
Stanley sat me on his knee
He told me, "My throat’s busted and I cannot sing in key
A lot of songs need synchin’ in every single town
So fake the words and dress up like a funny lookin’ clown!”
Sync on! That’s what he told me
Sync on! Keep on synchin’
Sync on! Whoa whoa whoa
Sync on! Cos KISStards will always pay!
@chrisrock4428
I’m hearing the YOU STILL GOT IT chant in the back of my head. They sound great. These cats formed in 1969 for Christ sake. That’s insane. I’ll always and forever be a fan!! Priest!!!
@ChrisReinheimer
As if there was any doubt at all. I'm 61 and for me....Priest FOREVER
@palliare-carpediemz.u.pall569
Those youngsters will go places trust me
@kushking949
Why can't music be this good anymore?