Judas Priest
United Kingdom, 1974–now
Birmingham band formed in 1969. Twin lead guitars, Rob Halford's high vocal range and the leather-and-studs stage dress became standard elements of heavy metal.
MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Judas Priest and 5 artists Judas Priest influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Judas Priest?
- Black Sabbath — Priest rose from the same Birmingham streets as Sabbath — Halford and Tipton have named them the foundation the band built upon.
Which artists did Judas Priest influence?
- Slayer — Priest's twin-guitar attack and metallic precision were the direct template for early Slayer sets.
- Megadeth — Priest's twin-guitar precision is the documented NWOBHM foundation of Mustaine's riff writing.
- Pantera — Priest's metallic precision was the model of Pantera's pre-groove years and Dimebag's riff school.
- Mercyful Fate — Judas Priest's twin-guitar heavy metal is a direct model for Mercyful Fate's melodic, hard-driving metal.
- Sum 41 — 'Maiden and Priest were the gods that we praised' — the band's own line in 'Fat Lip'.