Chris Atkins

This collection encapsulates Judas Priest's debut (ROCKA ROLLA) and a majority of their classic sophomore album (SAD WINGS OF DESTINY) for Gull Records, along with an early version of "Diamonds and Rust," and mixes them all up in the running order. Seeing as it's missing "Epitaph," "Island of Domination" and the immortal "Ripper" from SAD WINGS, this CD does not allow one to get the band's first two albums in one package. However, the ROCKA ROLLA tracks have been remixed (some fans argue that they are better) and the title track re-edited, and those changes along with the track arrangement and fantasy-inspired cover art make this package worthwhile for obsessive collectors, even though the gatefold vinyl edition was actually more visually striking…

Judas Priest's METALOGY, an impressive four-CD behemoth of a box set that also includes a bonus DVD, proved a fitting tribute to a band celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2004. Kudos to the creative team whose use of studded trim and faux leather texture in the packaging is fitting for a group whose visual legacy is inextricably linked to their own S&M/biker apparel. As impressive as the outside of this package is, the music contained within is more important, especially when you consider that this Birmingham outfit laid down many of heavy metal's stylistic touchstones…

Tim "Ripper" Owens, who had previously sung in a Judas Priest tribute band called British Steel, was hired in 1996 as Judas Priest's new singer. This line up released two albums, Jugulator and Demolition, as well as two live double-albums – '98 Live Meltdown and Live in London…

The legacy of the father of fetish rock has finally been reviewed! With the cream of the music industry on hand with their insights, we present the music, the sex, the leather and the scandals! "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law" are just two of the classic heavy metal songs that British rockers Judas Priest are best known for. This entry in the Music in Review series takes a look at the band's remarkable achievements and some of the controversy they have generated over the years.

Johnny Cash was one of the most imposing and influential figures in post-World War II country music. With his deep, resonant baritone and spare percussive guitar, he had a basic, distinctive sound. Cash didn't sound like Nashville, nor did he sound like honky tonk or rock & roll. He created his own subgenre, falling halfway between the blunt emotional honesty of folk, the rebelliousness of rock & roll, and the world-weariness of country. Cash's career coincided with the birth of rock & roll, and his rebellious attitude and simple, direct musical attack shared a lot of similarities with rock. However, there was a deep sense of history – as he would later illustrate with his series of historical albums – that kept him forever tied with country. And he was one of country music's biggest stars of the '50s and '60s, scoring well over 100 hit singles…

Judas Priest was one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the '70s, spearheading the New Wave of British Heavy Metal late in the decade. Decked out in leather and chains, the band fused the gothic doom of Black Sabbath with the riffs and speed of Led Zeppelin, as well as adding a vicious two-lead guitar attack; in doing so, they set the pace for much popular heavy metal from 1975 until 1985, as well as laying the groundwork for the speed and death metal of the '80s.