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)
White Heat
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deliver us from all the fuss and give us sanctuary
Lead us all into arena, magnificent in death
Well let us serenade the sinner, we'll follow in his step
White heat, red hot burns deep, white heat red hot
The fury songs, venomous wrongs so rich in tragedy,
An overture forever more to senseless victories
So we avoid the wrath and all the almighty fire of
White heat, red hot burns deep, white heat red hot
The heat's hot burns a lot who are not cut out to fight this day will surely fall
The few who stand to take command forever and ever are men
Prepare to fight, unsheathe your scythe a ghastly beam of ill
To slice the life with blinding light and seventh dimensional skill
The centuries of dedication inherited till at last
From years of solar gladiation can only end in
White heat, red hot, burns deep, white heat red hot
The heat's hot burns a lot who are not cut out to fight this day will surely fall
Few who stand to take command forever and ever are men
White heat
Red hot
White heat
Red hot
The lyrics of Judas Priest's song "White Heat Red Hot" can be interpreted as a call to arms of sorts for those who are willing to fight and take command. The opening lines, "The father's son, thy kingdom come, electric ecstasy, Deliver us from all the fuss and give us sanctuary" can be seen as a plea for divine intervention and salvation. The next two lines, "Lead us all into arena, magnificent in death, Well let us serenade the sinner, we'll follow in his step" imply a willingness to fight and die for one's beliefs. The reference to the arena possibly alludes to the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome, indicating a willingness to fight to the death for one's cause.
The chorus, "White heat, red hot burns deep, white heat red hot" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the intensity of the battle and the passion that drives it. The following lines, "The fury songs, venomous wrongs so rich in tragedy, An overture forever more to senseless victories" suggest that this fight is fueled by anger and a sense of injustice. The "venomous wrongs" may refer to whatever oppression or tyranny the fighters are facing. The "senseless victories" could imply that even if they win, the cost will be high and the violence and death will have been for nothing.
The final verse, "Prepare to fight, unsheathe your scythe a ghastly beam of ill, To slice the life with blinding light and seventh dimensional skill" is a call to arms for the fighters to be prepared for battle and to use all of their skill to defeat their enemies. The reference to the "ghastly beam of ill" suggests a weapon of some sort, possibly a laser or other advanced technology. The final lines, "The centuries of dedication inherited till at last, From years of solar gladiation can only end in, White heat, red hot, burns deep, white heat red hot" suggest that this fight spans generations, and that those who have come before have passed down the dedication to fight and the will to carry on even in the face of death.
Line by Line Meaning
The father's son, thy kingdom come, electric ecstasy,
Asking for deliverance and the promise of eternal life through an electrifying experience.
Deliver us from all the fuss and give us sanctuary
Desiring an escape from worldly distractions and a place of safety.
Lead us all into arena, magnificent in death
Asking to be guided towards a glorious end, even if it means dying.
Well let us serenade the sinner, we'll follow in his step
Embracing those who are considered sinners and living life on their terms.
The fury songs, venomous wrongs so rich in tragedy,
Acknowledging the violent and tragic nature of certain actions and behaviors.
An overture forever more to senseless victories
An endless cycle of meaningless triumphs.
Give to us this day of glory the power and the kill
Asking for strength to achieve a glorious victory over enemies.
So we avoid the wrath and all the almighty fire of
Seeking to avoid the punishment that may come from a godly force.
The heat's hot burns a lot who are not cut out to fight this day will surely fall
Only the strong and capable will succeed in the battle ahead.
Prepare to fight, unsheathe your scythe a ghastly beam of ill
Get ready for battle, and be ready to cause harm with a weapon of death.
To slice the life with blinding light and seventh dimensional skill
Being able to take life swiftly and with great precision.
The centuries of dedication inherited till at last
Carrying on a tradition of devotion for generations until it finally ends.
From years of solar gladiation can only end in
The result of being tested and refined through challenging experiences.
White heat, red hot burns deep, white heat red hot
The intensity of the emotions felt during battle.
Few who stand to take command forever and ever are men
Only the strongest leaders will rise to power and hold it for eternity.
White heat
The intensity of emotions.
Red hot
The passion and energy of battle.
White heat
The intensity of emotions.
Red hot
The passion and energy of battle.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind