Metal Gods

I woke up this morning with a persistent urge to pull out my Judas Priest records. It has been a while since any of them have been on the table, but they assumed the responsibility as if they never left. That is where they lived while I was in high school, after all.

When I was in my teenage years my Saturday ritual was quite similar: wake up, grab some coffee, and set out to check the record stores for any Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Rush, or Yes. Those four bands were the bulk of my collection early on. I remember cataloguing my collection on construction paper (pre-Discogs account creation). After each successful trip I would come home, drop the needle, and disassociate. I would crank the speakers and tune out the outside world; I can't imagine what my parents thought at the time. I was listening to the music of their generation, except this was no Peter Gabriel or Rick Springfield - Judas Priest was for those who resisted conformity. Did that correlate with petty crime, pot, and reckless behavior? Possibly, but not in my case. I was a square who just appreciated the rawness and brutality of the band.

I vividly remember my brother and I waking up at 5 in the morning and listening to Judas Priest's Hell Bent for Leather while playing NHL on the XBOX 360 before school. This occurred for roughly a month. Why? I couldn't tell you, but it was a great time in my life. I frequently think about that memory and wish for simple times like that again.

In 2015 I got the chance to see the Metal Gods perform. My mom and I took a trip to Wisconsin for a 4-day rock festival; I think Judas Priest played on the second night, and Lynyrd Skynyrd played right before them. Don't you just love festival lineups? I lost my voice - what little I had left after singing along to Alice Cooper the night before - and smiled the biggest grin throughout the performance. To see Halford cruise out onto the stage on his motorcycle, donning a full-leather get-up, and hit his signature high notes was an incredible spectacle. (See below for a bonus picture of me at the show).

Listening to the blast beats and ripping guitar of "Painkiller" brings back great memories. Now if you will excuse me, I have a few more records to get through.