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List Price: $24.95 | | Publisher: Ecw Press
Salesrank: 303260
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| Our Price: $16.47 |
| Used Price: $13.99 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
With the 2005 release of their acclaimed new album Angel of Retribution, a comprehensive biography of the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest was long overdue. Packed with full-color photos from the stage, album covers, and memorabilia shots, each album is recounted song by song alongside interviews that span the rocky, often comical ride of heavy metal’s proudest ambassadors in this definitive biography. Covering all the major moments—from Rob Halford's outing as gay, to their notorious subliminal message trial, to the fan who inspired the Mark Wahlberg film Rockstar by becoming the lead singer—this collector’s item is sure to satisfy true metalheads and rock aficionados alike.
Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers-An Illustrated History Reviews:
As comprehensive as you're gonna get with Priest... 
2009-07-06 - This book is good enough and thorough enough that I don't feel I would need to seek out any other written work on Priest to connect the dots. Unless of course, when it's all over Priest actually writes their own tale, as their level of secrecy could only be cracked from the inside.
When a writer tackles an entire history of a band whose been around as long as Priest, I prefer that they primarily focus on the music. Popoff does this in spades. The chronological, album by album structure ties everything into the particular time frame of the albums. Thus, Popoff sticks to the music, the making of the albums, and what was going on with the band at the particular time.
I LOVE that this book in not sensationalized in any way. I'm not sure if this is because Priest keeps their inner workings so shrouded in mystery or because Popoff truly does not prefer to spend chapters on the PMRC, the Reno suicides, Dave Holland's extracurricalar activities, or Rob Halford's coming out. Ultimately, I like that these more gossipy tidbits are covered briefly and relevantly within the context of the time frame at hand.
Popoff is smart to start off with the disclaimer that Priest are quite protective of their legacy and their inner workings, and that they often do not give a lot of the grit in their responses to questions. I think this is a strength of Priest. They do not give us the Dirt as it were. This keeps a healthy element of mystery to them, which intrigues me and keeps me interested in what they do. Priest do load their interviews with metal cliches and are smoothly protective in defending their work. Somehow, Popoff still manages to give us a great deal of insight and history into the band.
Popoff does an excellent job of letting the band, or those involved with the band, tell the story, while injecting a nice balance of his own views and opinions. This is top-rate journalism.
As for his opinions, I agree with many and disagree with quite a few as well. I agree with Popoff's disappointment with the album British Steel, which is probably the most overrated album in Priest's catalog. I am a bit more partial to most of Priest's 80's (Screaming, Defenders, even Turbo and Ram It Down) work, while Popoff is more impressed with the 70's output, which is fantastic in it's own right.
Like many, I find the debate and argument over the song Loch Ness most fascinating. Popoff clearly does not like the song. It is one of my favorite Priest songs. There are many who do not have the tolerance for this epic song, feeling that it meanders on too long and doesn't really grab you anywhere. I was more in agreement with KK's take on the song. It is a great mood piece. It takes you on a long journey, which you can really sit and get into, rather than the song ending just after you catch the wave. Like another reviewer said, it is to Popoff's credit in this instance and with many others, that he presents opposing opinions to his. Debating over songs and albums is part of what makes metal the joy that it is.
Lastly, I appreciate that Popoff gives detailed attention to the Ripper years as well as the bands outside projects (Glenn Tipton, Fight, Two, Halford). He could've easily brushed over those quickly, or not even included some of it. Also, the visual elements of the book are top notch! You really get the feel of each particular era through the inclusion of the photos and visuals (ticket stubs, singles, t-shirts). This is great stuff!
Another winner by Popoff 
2009-06-16 - Well, since the guys from Judas probably will not release an official biography soon and (as Popoff himself states) they are not very generous about the quality of the informations the give in interviews, this book is simply the best book in the market about Judas Priest.
Following Popoff's tradition of analysing album by album, you will read this book in a flash if you're a Judas Priest fan. The photos are also top-notch, a lot of them never seen before.
The only reason (albeit a strong one!) I rate this book three-stars is simply because Popoff could write better. By now, I'm getting a little bit tired of his writing style and the errors in phrase construction. I think he should hire a better editor (or hire any editor at all, if he does not use one) and make the already high quality of his work to be upgraded immensely.
Must Have Book For The True Priest Fan(and Serious Metalhead)
2009-01-27 - Martin Popoff,the ultimate Metalhead,follows up his mighty book on Black Sabbath with the next obvious classic Metal act:Judas Priest.
Popoff gives an entire history of the band from there permutations in the late 60s through there glory years in the 70s through the 80s,through Halford's departure through his replacement by the "Ripper" to his triumphant return in 2004.
He even includes chapters on the solo record of Halford and Tipton,as well!
What's great about this book is the author's obvious knowledge and enthuiasm for the band,which remains more critical and open minded than other writings on the band.
For example,alot of love is given the 70s Metal releases(rightfully)while more popular,but lesser works like Screaming for Vengeance(1983) is dissected properly,revealing the anemic release it actually was.
This reads like a real life long fan,and MAN is that refreshing!
The pictures included are rare and interesting including some awesome advertisements("Priest has got sin for sale"...(Sin After Sin(1977)"If this one didn't kill you(Stained Class),this one will!"-Advertisement for Killing Machine(1978)being a few examples)
and some great on stage pics including my favorite,Halford on stage blasting away with a sub-machine gun!
Get this book if your a Serious fan of the band and of course,if your a Metalhead and rocker and need to learn more about one of the genre's greatest acts,than buy this instant classic from Martin Popoff.
Trust me.
It will be delivering the goods....
Judas Priest Rules
2008-12-29 - The books by Martin Popoff are excellent. This book will not disappoint. If you want to learn some JP history, look no further. Also look at Martin's other books. They are just as good.
Judas Popoff!!!!
2008-02-16 - Very well done mate... and THANK YOU! A ton of memorabalia, photos, and informed writing make this a MUST for every Priest and Metal fan on the the planet! Martin does a wonderful job chronicling the Priest's career album by album and remains subjective throughout, as every REAL fan can appreciate.
Of course, Priest are the world's second and purest Metal band there has ever been! After Sabbath..it was Rob Halford and this slicing Heavy Metal that really defined the genre better than any other band, including Black Sabbath!
Simply...a real feast of Priest is served here.
