Judas Priest: Cultural Contributions and Future Frontiers

In a career spanning more than four decades, heavy metal band Judas Priest have influenced several generations of new rock bands and sold over fifty million copies of their albums worldwide. But why are they culturally important? This paper explores the origins of Judas Priest, the social criticism employed in their lyrics, their role in the public 1980's conflict over American music censorship, and the legacy of the band within the global music community. Consistent thematic elements in musical content, lyrics and general aesthetic are traced over the course of Judas Priest's career, providing evidence of cohesive artistic purpose and integrity.