Judas Priest launched themselves into the mainstream with their decade defining British Steel 41 years ago today.
After a climactic ending to their endeavours 70’s run, the band grasped commercial success. Other bands from the same region were mounting the infamous NWOBHM movement including Iron Maiden and Saxon.
The quartet surpassed many of the best in the subgenre while retaining the edge that movement brought to the forefront.
Singles like “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight” propelled their status with radio-friendly anthems.
Unlike their previous albums, British Steel took a different direction from their aggressive speed metal roots and embraced their melodic side in terms of songwriting.
Despite the commercial success, there was plenty of variety on the album from the reggae influence on The Rage to the crowd chanting hard rock of United. Many of the staples were still found including the thrash style of Rapid Fire to the triumphant conclusion of Steeler.
KK Downing detailed the recording process in his insightful Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest. “That Was The Album For Judas Priest That Consolidated Everything” said the guitarist “We didn’t really know it at the time, but the album cover… metal… And then we had the look. So everything came together.”
After that milestone, the band’s leather attire became the spectacle of genre and the heavy music wasn’t far behind.
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