Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Atkins will forever be associated with the self-proclaimed Metal Gods. But how did it all happen?
During the 1960s when the popular Brum Beat era produced band after band (such as The Move and The Band Of Joy,) Atkins played in various local outfits some of which laid the blue print for the heavier progressive sounds of early Judas Priest. And so it was in 1969 that a disillusioned Atkins decided to have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was JUDAS PRIEST.
Judas Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Unfortunately Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins formed yet another line-up of Priest in 1970 with guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. At Atkins’ behest Downing and Hill ditched the name Freight and resurrected the mighty Judas Priest. Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Line-up changes continued until May, 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day.
Atkins is the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the band’s first two albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic ‘Victim Of Changes’ which was a combination of Rob Halford’s song ‘Red Light Lady’ and Atkins’ own ‘Whisky Woman.’ He also co-wrote the fan classics ‘Winter,’ ‘Never Satisfied,’ ‘Dreamer Deceiver’ and ‘Caviar And Meths.’ His autobiography contains very rare archive photos and memorabilia from Judas Priest’s past circa 1969-1973. Also included are interviews with various members of Priest’s history and Atkins’ solo career.
Dawn Of The Metal Gods includes a foreword by Judas Priest bassist IAN HILL as well as contributions from:
Bruno Stapenhill (Judas Priest Mark I)
Ernie Chataway (Judas Priest Mark I)
John Ellis (Judas Priest Mark II)
Trevor Lunn (ex-Judas Priest roadie)
David Howells (Gull Records)
Dave Corke (ex-Judas Priest manager 1970-‘76)
Norman Hood (IMA Agency)
Atkins’ debut solo album Judgement Day was released to great acclaim in 1989. But it was Heavy Thoughts and Victim Of Changes (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently, Atkins has released his fifth solo opus Demon Deceiver and formed the Midlands heavy metal band The Holy Rage. They’ve shared the bill with ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, the NYC band Warrior Soul and legendary rockers Skid Row.
In Dawn Of The Metal Gods Atkins share’s his entertaining life story with the reader. This is not just a book for Priest fans but a bible for anybody wishing to form a band in the tumultuous world of heavy metal.
Written in a style that represents Al’s working class Birmingham roots, Dawn Of The Metal Gods will set the story straight on the roots of the world’s most revered and dedicated heavy metal band. Celebrating 40 years of (Judas Priest style) heavy metal!
PRAISE FOR AL ATKINS: “He’s a lovely geezer with a great voice…” – Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden/Praying Mantis)
“Al is the co-writer of an absolute metal classic…” – Brian Tatler (Diamond Head)
“Al’s in your face…his voice is in command.” – Graham Bonnet (ex-Rainbow)
“Al's songs influenced heavy metal from the sixties to today.” – Jess Cox (ex-Tygers Of Pan Tang/Metal Nation Records)
“Al is one of metal’s all time greats.” – Simon Lees (ex-Budgie)
“Al is a great metal singer…” – Taz Taylor (The Taz Taylor Band)
“Al Atkins has written great songs, past, present, and future …” - Juan Garcia (Agent Steel)
“Priest are simply one of the all time greats of metal.” – Paul Dianno (ex-Iron Maiden)
"Al is a great singer and a nice guy." - Johnny Lokke (Kansas USA)
Al’s book is OUT SOON! Further details can be found at
Al Atkins ex singer in Judas Priest and
Neil Daniels -Welcome To The Official Website.
Title: Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest & Heavy Metal
Authors: Al Atkins & Neil Daniels
Publisher: Iron Pages (distributed in the UK via Gazelle Books)
Details: Paperback with lots of archive material, unseen photos, memorabilia, tour dates and discographies…
Release Date: spring 2009
A MUST FOR JUDAS PRIEST & HEAVY METAL COLLECTORS/ARCHVISTS!
Available to pre-order from AMAZON and directly from IRON PAGES:
IRON PAGES.
PRAISE FOR THE STORY OF JUDAS PRIEST: DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH: “Neil Daniels is great on the early years of Brummie metal legends Judas Priest…”
Geoff Barton (Classic Rock Magazine)
“There’s no faulting the author’s painstaking research…”
Caren Gibson (Metal Hammer)
“…this is a thoroughly researched and well-written chronology of Priest’s career…”
Suzy West (Record Collector)
“…this is a long overdue and fascinating story of the Brummies…Essential reading.”
Ronnie Kerswell (Rock Sound)
PRAISE FOR ROBERT PLANT: LED ZEPPELIN, JIMMY PAGE & THE SOLO YEARS:
“…a fine job…profiling the high-pitched troubadour in great detail.”
Joel McIver (Classic Rock Magazine: Led Zeppelin Special)
“…this is a well-timed tome…there’s a great deal of info here for the seasoned and not so seasoned fan…”
Joe Geesin (Get Ready To Rock.com)
“The book also has a curious appendices exploring – among other things – Percy’s interest in folklore and mythology.”
James McNair (Mojo)
"...startlingly up-to-date - As an overview of what Plant did and when ... is useful for reference ..."
William Pinfold (Record Collector)
“With this book we get an insight into the trails and tribulations and the tears and laughter that actually goes into making the music we’ve come to adore.”
Allan Bannerman (Powerplay)
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NEW BOOK – DAWN OF THE METAL GODS: MY LIFE IN JUDAS PRIEST & HEAVY METAL by AL ATKINS
Re: NEW BOOK – DAWN OF THE METAL GODS: MY LIFE IN JUDAS PRIEST & HEAVY METAL by AL ATKINS
