43 Years In, Judas Priest Storms The Charts
More than 43 years after the band’s inception, Judas Priest is riding an unprecedented wave of chart success with its 18th studio album, Fire Power. The album is their first Top 10 entry in the U.K. in 39 years, debuting at No. 5, according to Music Week. It charted at No. 1 in Sweden, a first for the band and, in Germany, it has a new record, debuting at No. 2, the magazine said.
It is also their first Top 20 album in the Netherlands, opening at No. 16, and has Top 10 debuts in Flanders, Norway and Japan.
The heavy metal quintet was formed in West Bromwich, releasing its debut album, Rocka Rolla, in 1974. Founding members Glenn Tipton, Ian HIll and Rob Halford are 70, 67 and 66 years old, respectively.
Also notable: David Byrne scored his highest-charting solo album ever in the U.K., with American Utopia debuting at No. 16, as well as debuting at No. 18 and No. 19 in Ireland and Flanders, according to Music Week.
