Reviews
"Martin has the most thorough knowledge of heavy metal of anybody I've ever met." —Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman, "Martin Popoff has positioned himself as quite possibly the world's most prolific metal journalist. . . . In true Popoff fashion [this book] is utterly exhaustive." — Decibel magazine, "Popoff is a blast to read with an acute style as cerebral as it is from the gut . . . you can't help but be impressed by the furnace level of this wordsmith." --MaximumMetal.com, "A highly enjoyable book for any Judas Priest or heavy metal fan, and quite mandatory." —SeaofTranquility.org, "A highly enjoyable book for any Judas Priest or heavy metal fan, and quite mandatory." -SeaofTranquility.org, "Martin has the most thorough knowledge of heavy metal of anybody I've ever met." --Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman, "Martin has the most thorough knowledge of heavy metal of anybody I've ever met." -Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman, "Martin Popoff has positioned himself as quite possibly the world's most prolific metal journalist. . . . In true Popoff fashion [this book] is utterly exhaustive." -Decibelmagazine, "Martin Popoff has positioned himself as quite possibly the world's most prolific metal journalist. . . . In true Popoff fashion [this book] is utterly exhaustive." -- Decibel magazine, "A highly enjoyable book for any Judas Priest or heavy metal fan, and quite mandatory." --SeaofTranquility.org, "Popoff is a blast to read with an acute style as cerebral as it is from the gut . . . you can't help but be impressed by the furnace level of this wordsmith." —MaximumMetal.com
Synopsis
When the world thinks of heavy metal in its pure, undiluted form, it is none other than the metal gods, Judas Priest, that come to mind. Back stronger than ever with their acclaimed Angel of Retribution album, theirs is a story that is long overdue in the telling. Popoff examines the band's rich legacy album by album, anthem by anthem, recounting the band's shocking split with Halford in the mid 90s and his triumphant return in 2003. Accompanying the text is a full-colour cornucopia of images - photos, memorabilia shots and cover graphics., 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., The story of Metal Gods, Judas Priest, whose story is long overdue to be told! All manner of Priestly feast for the electric eye., When the world thinks of heavy metal in its pure, potent, undiluted form, it is none other than the Metal Gods, Judas Priest, that instantly come to mind. Chrome and black leather, studs and whips and chains, a chopper on stage ... these are the tools of the trade for Rob Halford and his legendary band of Birmingham bashers. Back stronger than ever, Judas Priest, in 2005, issued their acclaimed Angel of Retribution album. It is long overdue that their story be told. Published to coincide with a new album in fall 2007, Martin Popoff's book, Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers, examines the band's rich legacy album by album, anthem by anthem, recounting the band's shocking split with Halford in the mid '90s and his triumphant return in 2003. Having interviewed all the principals in the band repeatedly over the years, Popoff gives a firsthand account of the Priest's rocky, often comical ride through the '70s, through the gold and platinum records of the '80s, detailing the long road back to the status the band now enjoys as heavy metal's proudest ambassadors. Accompanying Popoff's lively text are more than 500 full-colour images, the band's gleaming steel imagery springing to life through a myriad of photos from the stage, memorabilia shots, cover graphics, and all manner of Priestly feast for the electric eye.