Top 10 Judas Priest Songs

Judas Priest provide an epic slab of drama from their second album, 'Sad Wings of Destiny.' This was Judas Priest before their signature style was truly defined, but certainly no less powerful. The circular guitar riff propels the song along like a revved up Sabbath. The song breaks down into a mellow, almost psychedelic, break that is kicked back into gear by Rob Halford's vocals. He is the star here as he lets loose some of his most impassioned and dynamic vocals ever.

'Evening Star' is one of the band's great lost tracks and deserving of a spot in the Top 10 Judas Priest Songs. Shining from the middle of their 'Hell Bent for Leather ' album, the cut posses a true melodic sense and really falls on the hard rock rather than the metal side of things. Not unlike UFO in some respects here, the song has lots of killer changes and hooks. You should definitely give it another spin ... it's a real gem.

One of the highlights on the band's 'Stained Class' album, 'Exciter' is full force Priest. The song kicks in with some double time chugging riff action and features truly classic Rob Halford vocalizing. It's urgency is relentless and contagious. You'll be banging that head in no time! The song also provided the name for the Canadian speed metal band from the early '80s.

The title track from the band's 1990 album is a scorcher -- full on pedal to the metal stuff. Speed and power merge in one hell of a Priest ride on 'Painkiller.' Halford is at his most sinister sounding here, and the harmonies he provides are drama incarnate. The band is totally on fire here and the lead guitar break is one of their finest.

'The Hellion' provides the dramatic opening to a true Priest classic, making it a natural fit for the Top 10 Judas Priest Songs. A souped-up riff powers this cut and the simple but catchy chorus helps make this one of the band's best all around tracks. Glenn Tipton dishes out some pure fire lead work before launching back into that mighty riffage. It's pure Priest all the way!

One of the Judas Priest's strongest riffs kicks off this 1981 classic. Never at a loss for a hooky chorus, 'Heading Out to the Highway' provides one of the band's finest mid-sections to date. The track is one of the group's most simplistic and catchy songs, and definitely gets stuck in your head. It's total pop with hard rock action powering it, and yes, that's a good thing!

If there was ever a true lost classic from Judas Priest, this would have to be it. One of the best album openers ever, 'Delivering the Goods' kicks off their masterpiece' Hell Bent for Leather' with a perfect call to arms. And yes, they do deliver the goods here with all cylinders firing on. Riff heavy action and a killer lead guitar seal the deal. The song is simply phenomenal!

With a riff that is almost like 'Smoke on the Water' on speed, 'Breaking the Law' is one of Priest's most iconic songs. Blazing away in under three minutes, the urgency of punk with the finesse of metal crash head on to create one of the band's most enduring songs.

'Living After Midnight' is a must for the Top 10 Judas Priest Songs. It was their first big breakthrough in America, and helped push the 'British Steel' album over the top. It was the band's first gold record in America and the song remains popular to this day. Short, simple and to the point -- this is pure rock and roll. Powered by an almost Kinks-lke riff, the song surges in perfect headbanging style. It's one of their finest moments for sure.

Probably the band's most beloved song, thirty years on, it's power hasn't diminished one bit. In many ways, it's everything about Judas Priest's appeal boiled down into one song. Everyone is at the top of their game here and even though the record only made it to No. 67 on the Billboard charts, it's become a signature song for the band over time.