Judas Priest are pioneers of the heavy metal genre and were forerunners of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement, laying the groundwork for the speed and thrash metal of the 80s and 90s.

The band was formed in 1969 by guitarist John Perry (who died shortly after and was replaced by by Earnest Chataway), bassist Bruno Stapenhill, drummer John Partridge and singer Alan Atkins.
In 1970, guitarist Kenneth Downing and bassist Ian Hill join, and in 1972 Rob Halford and drummer John Hinch join too. A second guitarist, Glenn Tipton, was also added to the lineup in 1974 as compensation for their record company's (Gull Records) suggestion to add another instrument to the first album.

Atkins was replaced by singer Rob Halford and the band would go on to record 14 albums from 1974 through 1990. Their second album Sad Wings of Destiny is considered as one of the most influential album for metal, along with Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album.

Their "twin axe attack" was not particularly popular at the time, but became a trademark for the group and would inspire other bands to do the same.

Halford left the group in 1993, going in a new direction with his new, short-lived metal band, Fight.

With Halford gone, the future looked bleak for the band, but after numerous searches for a suitable replacement, they found something special in tribute band front man Tim "Ripper" Owens. This story forms the basic plot of the movie "Rock Star," which was originally to be completely about Judas Priest and the Ripper, titled "Metal God," but the script was altered after the failure to reach an agreement with the band. Judas Priest recorded 4 albums with Owens (2 studio, 2 live records) which were greeted with mixed reactions from fans.

In 2003, the Judas Priest's 1990 lineup was restored when Rob Halford returned to the group after rekindling the relationship during work on Judas Priest's 4-CD career retrospective "Metalogy." In 2004 the band played Ozzfest and released a CD of new studio material entitled "Angel of Retribution" and an accompanying live DVD in 2005, enjoying a successful world tour that year.

After an emotional reunion, extensive tour and new studio album, the band released their second "Halford era" studio album in June 2008, entitled "Nostradamus." This double CD has 23 tracks and is Judas Priest's first conceptual album based upon the life and predictions of Nostradamus. Following this album, the band is currently extensively touring worldwide..