Priest, in film, may refer to:

''Priest'' (1994 film), a film directed by Antonia Bird and scripted by Jimmy McGovern

''Priest'' (2011 film), a horror film starring Paul Bettany

See also

Priest (disambiguation)

{{infobox film |name

Priest |image Priest Poster.jpg |alt Paul Bettany in character, wearing priestly garb and having a Christian cross tattooed on his face, stands against the background of a futuristic city. |caption Theatrical release poster |director Scott Stewart |producer Michael DeLucaJoshua DonenMitchell Peck |writer Cory Goodman |based on |starring Paul Bettany |music Christopher Young |cinematography Don Burgess |editing Lisa Zeno Churgin |studio Tokyopop |distributor Screen Gems |released |runtime 87 minutes |country |language English |budget |gross }}

''Priest'' is a 2011 American supernatural action film starring Paul Bettany as the title character. The film, directed by Scott Stewart, is loosely based on the Korean comic of the same name. In an alternate world, humanity and vampires have warred for centuries. After the last Vampire War, the veteran Warrior Priest (Bettany) lives in obscurity with other humans inside one of the Church's walled cities. When the Priest's niece (Lily Collins) is kidnapped by vampires, the Priest breaks his vows to hunt them down. He is accompanied by the niece's boyfriend (Cam Gigandet), who is a wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess (Maggie Q).

The film first entered development in 2005, when Screen Gems bought the spec script by Cory Goodman. In 2006 Andrew Douglas was attached to direct and Gerard Butler was attached to star. They were eventually replaced by Stewart and Bettany in 2009 and filming started in Los Angeles, California, later in the year. The film changed release dates numerous times throughout 2010 and 2011. It was especially pushed back from 2010 to 2011 to convert the film from 2D to 3D. It was released in the United States and Canada on , 2011.

Plot

For centuries, a war has existed between the humans and the vampires. Locked in mortal combat for centuries, their war has saturated the planet's surface, making it unable to support life. The Church created the walled cities to protect mankind, ultimately creating an elite group of warriors to turn the tide against the vampires. They were dubbed "Priests", humans blessed by God who were capable of slaying vampires. The majority of the vampires were killed while the remainder were placed in reservations. With the war over, the Clergy, fearing what they had created, disbanded the Priests. Outside the cities, humans live free from the totalitarian control of the Church.

One day, a Priest is approached by Hicks, the sheriff of a nearby town called Augustine. Hicks tells him that his brother Owen was mortally wounded by a vamp-attack. His sister-in-law and ex-girlfriend Shannon was killed, and Priest's niece, Lucy, was kidnapped. Hicks asks for Priest's assistance in tracking down Lucy. Priest goes to the Clergy begging to have his authority reinstated, but the Head of the Clergy doesn't believe these claims and refuses. He goes further by threatening Priest not to take any action. Upset and disillusioned, Priest goes against the wishes of Monsignor Orelas, the Church's leader, to do so. Monsignor Orelas then sends a group of four other Priests led by Priestess, a former comrade to Priest, to track him down, capture him and bring him back, dead or alive.

After saying goodbye to his dying brother, Priest and Hicks arrive at a Nightshade Reservation where turned humans called Familiars (people infected with a pathogen that makes them subservient to the vampires) live. After a fierce fight against the Familiars and the remaining vampires, the pair discover that the vampires have taken shelter in Solar Minor, a vampire hive where Priest lost several of his comrade Priests in a botched/suicidal mission. There, they are joined by Priestess, who decides to help him because she is in love with him. The trio destroy a Hive Guardian, a large and vicious vampire, and then discover that the vampires have bred a new army, and dug a tunnel out of the mountain towards a town called Jericho. The other three Priests have arrived at Jericho, right as an armored train has arrived, unleashing hundreds of vampires upon the population, and all lead by a powerful and mysterious individual, who they recognize as a former Priest himself. However, the man, who wears a black hat, offers them a chance to join him, or die. The Priests refuse, and Black Hat defeats and kills them all, leaving them to hang on crosses for others to see.

Priest, Priestess and Hicks arrive in Jericho while the sun is up, and discover the town empty and the three Priests crucified. Shocked and confused at what has happened, Priest eventually realizes that the vampires have been using the trains to travel by day and attack the towns by night. They also realize that the trainline ends at the walled cities. However, because of the factories producing massive amounts of smoke and ash clouds, there is no sun, even in the daylight. Realizing that it will be a slaughter, Priest and his partners head out after them in order to stop the train from reaching the city.

While Priestess plants a bomb on the railroad tracks in order to stop the train, Priest and Hicks board the train and confront Black Hat, the vampires, and familiars. Black Hat overpowers both Priest and Hicks. Black Hat reveals that the vampire Queen gave him her blood, turning him into the first vampire-human hybrid. He asks Priest to join him. Priest refuses and fights Black Hat, who reveals the truth of Lucy's parentage to the girl. Priestess meanwhile battles several Familiars who are trying to stop her from detonating the tracks, only to have the detonator be destroyed. She then places the explosives on her bike, and rams it into the train engine. The explosion kills the vampires and seemingly engulfs Black Hat in fire, but Hicks, Priest, Priestess and Lucy are able to escape.

Priest returns to the city and confronts Monsignor Orelas, telling him of the burnt train containing the vampires' bodies, which he proves by throwing a vampire head onto the floor. Monsignor Orelas doesn't believe him, declaring that the war is over and Priest's proof is trickery, only to have Priest tell him that it's just beginning as he walks out. Once he leaves the city and meets with Priestess, she reveals that the other Priests have been notified and will meet them at a rendezvous point. Priest sets off into the sunset to later meet up with other priests.

Cast

Paul Bettany as Priest

Karl Urban as Black Hat

Cam Gigandet as Hicks

Maggie Q as Priestess

Lily Collins as Lucy Pace

Brad Dourif as Salesman

Stephen Moyer as Owen Pace

Christopher Plummer as Monsignor Orelas

Alan Dale as Monsignor Chamberlain

Mädchen Amick as Shannon Pace

Jacob Hopkins as Boy

Dave Florek as Crocker

Joel Polinsky as Dr. Tomlin

Josh Wingate as Familiar

Production

, 2010 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5w4tQzOhf | archivedate=, 2010 }}}} ''Priest'' is directed by Scott Stewart and written by Cory Goodman. The film is based on the Korean comics ''Priest'' by Min-Woo Hyung. The project was first announced in March 2005 when the studio Screen Gems bought Goodman's spec script. In January 2006, Andrew Douglas, who directed ''The Amityville Horror'', was attached to direct ''Priest''. In June 2006, actor Gerard Butler entered negotiations to star as the title character, and filming was scheduled to start in Mexico on , 2006. By March 2009, Douglas was replaced by Stewart, who impressed Screen Gems with ''Legion''. Paul Bettany replaced Butler in the starring role. With a budget of $60 million, filming began in August 2009 in Los Angeles, California, and it concluded in November 2009. The film is the most expensive production from Screen Gems, to date.

Tokyopop flew Min-Woo Hyung to where production was taking place so the comics' creator could visit the art department and discuss the film with Stewart. The film diverges from the comics in following a different timeline of events. The director described ''Priest''s vampires as not being human in origin, and humans bitten by vampires became familiars instead. There are different forms of vampires, such as hive drones, guardians, and a queen. Since the vampires were intended to move quickly, they were fully computer-generated for the film. While vampires are harmed by sunlight in most lore, the film's vampires are instead photosensitive, being albino cave-dwellers. Stewart said, "They are the enemy we don't really understand, but we fought them for centuries. They are mysterious and alien, with their own culture. You sense that they think and communicate, but you don't really understand what they are saying." The director also called ''Priest'' an homage to ''The Searchers'' with the title character being similar to John Wayne's character and the vampires being similar to the Comanche.

Theatrical release

''Priest'' was released in the United States and Canada on , 2011. The film's release date changed numerous times in 2010 and 2011. It was originally scheduled for , 2010, but it moved earlier to , 2010 to fill a weekend slot when another Screen Gems film, ''Resident Evil: Afterlife'', was postponed. When the filmmakers wanted to convert ''Priest'' from 2D to 3D, the film was newly scheduled for release on , 2011. It was delayed again to , 2011 so the film could attract summertime audiences.

''Priest'' was released outside the United States and Canada on , 2011 in four markets. It grossed an estimated over the weekend, with "decent debuts" of in Russia and in Spain. It performed poorly in the United Kingdom with under $700,000. The film was released in the United States and Canada on , 2011 in with 2,006 having 3D screenings. It grossed an estimated over the weekend, ranking fourth at the box office. Its performance was considered subpar compared to similar films in the ''Underworld'' series and ''Resident Evil'' series. To date, ''Priest'' has grossed an estimated in the United States and Canada and in other territories for a worldwide total of .

Critical reception

Priest was panned by critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 17% based on reviews from 69 critics and reports a rating average of 4 out of 10. It reported the overall consensus, "''Priest'' is admittedly sleek and stylish, but those qualities are wasted on a dull, derivative blend of sci-fi, action, and horror cliches." At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film received an average score of 41 based on 13 reviews, indicating ''mixed or average reviews''''.

See also

''Legion'' (2010 film), also directed by Scott Stewart and starring Paul Bettany

Vampire film, about vampires in cinema and other films featuring vampires

References

External links

Category:American horror films Category:English-language films Category:Films based on comics Category:Post-apocalyptic films Category:Vampires in film and television Category:Screen Gems films Category:Films shot in California Category:Films shot in Los Angeles, California Category:2010s 3-D films Category:2-D films converted to 3-D Category:2010s horror films

da:Priest es:Priest (película) fa:کشیش (فیلم) fr:Priest (film) gl:Priest it:Priest (film 2011) mn:Санваартан (2011 оны кино) ja:プリースト (映画) ro:Răzbunătorul (film din 2011) ru:Пастырь (фильм, 2011) fi:Priest (vuoden 2011 elokuva)

name	The Priests
background	group_or_band
origin	Northern Ireland
genre	ClassicalReligious
occupation	Roman Catholic priests
years active	2008 – present
label	Epic (2008–present)Sony (2008–present)RCA (2009–present)
website	Official Website
current members	The Reverend Father Eugene O'HaganThe Reverend Father Martin O'HaganThe Reverend Father David Delargy
notable instruments	}}

The Priests are a classical musical group made up of three Catholic priests all from Northern Ireland. Fr Eugene and his brother Fr Martin O'Hagan are originally from the village of Claudy, County Londonderry with the family now residing in Derry whilst Fr David Delargy is from Ballymena, County Antrim.

Early career

The trio have been singing together since they boarded as students at St MacNissi's College, Garron Tower, County Antrim. After signing a record deal with SonyBMG in April 2008 the priests, all from the Diocese of Down & Connor, recorded their debut album in Northern Ireland and Rome, with the unusual honour of having been allowed to record in St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican.

Career

2008: ''The Priests''

Their debut album was produced by Mike Hedges and Sally Herbert. Mike Hedges has worked with, amongst others, U2, Dido and Manic Street Preachers. The eponymous album was released in Ireland on 14 November 2008 by Epic Records and has since been released worldwide in over thirty countries and preceded by an ITV documentary and PBS special in the United States. The initial idea for making of an album involving a priest was put in motion by Hedges himself. The original idea developed into a project involving the three priests after he and Epic Records head, Nick Raphael, heard a demo recording of their singing the song "My Lovely Horse".

In December 2008 they scooped the Guinness World Record for ‘Fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act’. The album has turned Platinum in Ireland, UK, Sweden, Norway as well as going Gold in New Zealand, Canada and Spain. The group's concert schedule will not follow the usual band format as clauses in their bespoke contract places the emphasis on them continuing their pastoral work in their respective Parishes and in the Diocese of Down & Connor. In the 21 March issue of The Tablet, it is claimed that the album has sold more than 1 million copies in Ireland alone.

2009 – present: ''Harmony'' and ''Noel''

In August 2009, they began recording their second album, entitled "Harmony", under the same production team. It was released in November 2009 and has reaped platinum awards in Ireland and Sweden, where the album reached the No 1 spot in the Swedish charts just before Christmas 2009.

The trio completed a very successful concert tour of UK & Ireland playing to packed houses and ending with a homecoming concert in Belfast's Waterfront Hall. Their concert itinerary also took in two concerts in the Millennium Forum in the City of Derry, the first concert coinciding with the release of the Saville Report on Bloody Sunday. They noted that it was an auspicious day for the City and for the future.

The trio have recently released their first Christmas album, ''Noel,'' which was released 2 November 2010. The album debuted at #3 on the US Top Classical Albums Chart and #18 on the Top Christian Albums Chart. In Canada, the album charted on #100 on the Canadian Albums Chart and #8 on the Canadian Classical Albums Chart.

Members

Fr Eugene O'Hagan is Administrator of the Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan with two churches: The Church of The Sacred Heart and the Church of The Holy Family. Diocese of Down and Connor.

Fr Martin O'Hagan is Parish Priest of the Parish of Newtownards and Comber with two churches: The Church of St. Patrick (Newtownards) and the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation (Comber). Diocese of Down and Connor.

Fr David Delargy is Parish Priest of the Parish of Hannahstown with two churches: The Church of St. Joseph and the Church of St. Peter, the Rock , Diocese of Down and Connor.

Discography

Studio albums

Year

Title

Chart positions

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*1st studio album

*Released: 14 November 2008

Epic">Music recording sales certifications

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*1st studio album

*Released: 14 November 2008

Epic

Ireland>IRE: Platinum

*UK: Platinum

Sweden>SWE: Platinum

Norway>NOR: Platinum

Canadian Recording Industry Association>CAN: Gold

New Zealand>NZ: Gold

*2nd studio album

*Released: 23 November 2009

RCA Records>RCA

*IRE: Platinum

*UK: Gold

Holiday albums

Year

Title

Chart positions

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*Holiday album

*Released: 2 November 2010

*Label: Epic/RCA

Cappella Caeciliana

The Priests are also members of Belfast-based choir Cappella Caeciliana, with whom they have recorded three albums:

2001 – ''Cantate Domino – Music of Celebration from Cappella Caeciliana''

2005 – ''Sing for the Morning's Joy''

2008 – ''O Quam Gloriosum''

See also

List of artists who reached number one in Ireland

References

External links

Official Website

Cappella Caeciliana Website

Category:Roman Catholic priests from Northern Ireland Category:Male singers from Northern Ireland Category:Vocal trios

de:The Priests es:The Priests fr:The Priests it:The Priests ru:The Priests sv:The Priests

Name	Maxi Priest
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Max Alfred Elliott
Born	June 10, 1961Lewisham, London, England
Instrument	Vocals
Genre	Reggae, Reggae fusion, Lovers rock
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter
Years active	1982-present
Associated acts	UB40
Label	CharismaVirginEMI
Performed with	Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sly & Robbie
Website	maxipriest.com }}

Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest (born 10 June 1961) is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B; influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all-time.

Career

Maxi Priest, the second youngest of ninety-nine children, was born in Lewisham, London. His parents moved to England from Jamaica to provide more opportunity for their family and he grew up listening to gospel, reggae, R&B;, and pop music. His music is sometimes closer to R&B;, and pop, than to reggae music itself. His uncle, Jacob Miller, a reggae icon, was the frontman in the popular reggae group Inner Circle and his son, Ryan Elliott, was a member of the boy band Ultimate Kaos.

Priest's musical career began with him singing on the South London reggae soundsystem Saxon Studio International, after which some independent single releases followed. His first major album was the self-titled ''Maxi Priest'' (1988) which, along with his cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", established him as one of the top British reggae singers.

He is one of only two British reggae acts (along with UB40) to have an American Billboard number one: "Close to You" in 1990. A duet with Roberta Flack, "Set the Night to Music", reached the American Top Ten in 1991. His duet with Shaggy in 1996, "That Girl", was also a hit in the United States, peaking at number twenty.

In the latter half of his recording career, Priest has favoured working alongside other artists, both established and up-and-coming. He has worked with Sly & Robbie, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Jazzie B, Apache Indian, Roberta Flack, Shurwayne Winchester, Shabba Ranks and Lee Ritenour.

It was reported in some newspapers in the Birmingham area, including the Birmingham Mail on 13 March 2008, that Priest would be replacing Ali Campbell as the new lead singer of UB40, and that he had recorded a cover of Bob Marley’s "I Shot the Sheriff" with the band, based on information from "an unnamed source close to the band." Priest had joined UB40 on tour in 2007, culminating in sell out shows at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Solihull in December. Another local newspaper, the ''Express & Star'' that had reported that Priest would be the new UB40 frontman, included a statement from band spokesman Gerard Franklyn which contradicted the claim, stating "Maxi is collaborating with the band to record material but he won't be the new lead singer, that will be Duncan Campbell, the brother of Ali and Robin Campbell. He will only be appearing with them for this new recording."

Discography

Albums

''Intentions'' (1986) #96 UK

''Maxi Priest'' (1988) #108 US; #25 UK

''Bonafide'' (1990) #47 U.S.; #11 UK

''Fe Real'' (1992) #191 U.S.; #60 UK

''Man with the Fun'' (1996) #108 US

''CombiNation'' (1999)

''2 the Max'' (2005)

''Refused'' (2007)

Compilations

''Best of Me'' (1991) #23 UK

''Collection'' (2000)

Singles

! Year	! Song	Billboard Hot 100>US Hot 100	Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs>US R&B;	Adult Contemporary (chart)>US AC	! UK Singles Chart	! Album
	"Strollin' On"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
	''Intentions''
"In the Springtime"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
	''You're Safe''
"Crazy Love"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
	"Let Me Know"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
"Woman in You"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
"Some Guys Have All the Luck"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
	"Human Work of Art"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
"Just a Little Bit Longer"			align="center"
	"Space in My Heart"	align="center"
	align="center"
align="center"
"Set the Night to Music" (with Roberta Flack)				align="center"
''Set the Night to Music'' (Roberta Flack)
1992	"Groovin' in the Midnight"			align="center"
1993	"One More Chance"	align="center"
	align="center"
				align="center"
"Watching the World Go By"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
2009	"2 Play feat Maxi Priest - That's what the girls like (Sam Young & Jack Black Mix)"	align="center"
align="center"
align="center"
align="center"

References

External links

Official website

Fansite

Maxi Priest at Wenig-LaMonica Associates

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:British reggae musicians Category:Converts to the Rastafari movement Category:English male singers Category:English people of Jamaican descent Category:English Rastafarians Category:Charisma Records artists Category:Virgin Records artists Category:Lovers rock musicians Category:People from Lewisham Category:Reggae fusion artists Category:UB40 members

da:Maxi Priest de:Maxi Priest fr:Maxi Priest id:Maxi Priest nl:Maxi Priest ja:マキシ・プリースト no:Maxi Priest pl:Maxi Priest pt:Maxi Priest simple:Maxi Priest tr:Maxi Priest

name	Rob Halford
background	solo_singer
birth name	Robert John Arthur Halford
alias	Metal God
born	August 25, 1951Walsall, England
genre	Heavy metal, speed metal
instrument	Vocals, harmonica, guitar
associated acts	Judas Priest, Fight, 2wo, Halford, Bullring Brummies, Black Sabbath, Hear 'n Aid
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician
years active	1969–present
website	Official website }}

Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford (born 25 August 1951) is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band Judas Priest. He is nicknamed the "Metal God" as a tribute to his influence on metal, and after the Judas Priest song of the same name from 1980's ''British Steel''. He is considered one of the most consistently powerful singers in rock, having possessed a wide vocal range during his prime, and is particularly known for his high-pitched, operatic, soaring screams. In addition to his work with Judas Priest, he has been involved with several side projects, including Fight, 2wo and Halford. He is credited as the first openly gay mainstream heavy metal star, having come out in 1998.

Career

Early years

Halford was born in Sutton Coldfield, but raised in Walsall, which was then a part of Staffordshire [See Metal Hammer Issue 191, P. 55] a town to the northwest of Birmingham, in England's modern day West Midlands. He sang for numerous bands including Athens Wood, Lord Lucifer, Abraxas, Thark and Hiroshima.

Judas Priest

Halford was introduced to co-founding Judas Priest member Ian Hill by his sister who was dating Hill at the time. Halford, a former cinema manager, joined the band as singer, bringing with him drummer John Hinch from his previous band, Hiroshima. In August 1974, the band debuted with the single "Rocka Rolla", before releasing an album of the same name a month later. The next albums were ''Sad Wings of Destiny'' (1976), which included a variety of old material; 1977's ''Sin After Sin''; and 1978's ''Stained Class'' and ''Killing Machine'' (released in America as ''Hell Bent for Leather''), and 1979's live ''Unleashed in the East''.

In 1980, the band released ''British Steel''. The songs were shorter and more concisely structured, but retained the heavy metal feel. They released ''Point of Entry'' in 1981, featuring the song "Heading Out to the Highway". The 1982 album ''Screaming for Vengeance'' had a song, "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", which garnered strong US radio airplay, and the popular follow-up ''Defenders of the Faith'' was released in 1984. ''Turbo'' was released in April 1986, during the glam metal era. In May 1988, ''Ram It Down'' was released, showcasing re-recorded material that was scrapped from the ''Turbo'' years.

In September 1990, the ''Painkiller'' album dropped the 1980s-style synthesizers for almost all of the songs. Along with a change in musical style, the band's look changed as well. Halford emerged with all-new tattoos, including a bent Judas Priest cross on his right arm and ring around his other, as well as a few on his shoulders. He also began shaving his head for the first time, claiming that his receding hairline was getting annoying to keep up with.

During the tour for ''Painkiller'' in August 1991 at a show in Toronto, Halford rode onstage on a large Harley-Davidson motorcycle, dressed in motorcycle leathers, as part of the show. He collided with a half-raised drum riser and fell off the motorcycle, breaking his nose. After regaining consciousness, Halford returned and performed the whole concert. In the band's ''Behind the Music'' episode, Halford named the accident as one of the events that caused the rift between him and the rest of the band that would eventually force them apart. However, during an interview with Bernard Perusse of Montreal's ''The Gazette'' (1 August 2007), he is quoted as saying "And it absolutely did not [lead me to leaving the band]. It was just an accident."

After spending nearly 20 years with Judas Priest, Halford announced to the band on 4 July 1991 that he was leaving, and he also sued their label, Sony, for restrictive practices. Halford would leave the band in May 1992. During this period, Halford had recorded twelve studio and two concert albums with Judas Priest.

Fight, 2wo and Halford

He first formed the band Fight with Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis, bassist Jack "Jay Jay" Brown and guitarists Brian Tilse and Russ Parrish, recording two albums between 1993 and 1995: ''War of Words'' (1993) and, after Parish's departure and his replacement by Mark Chausee, ''A Small Deadly Space'' (1995). While the first one was a straightforward tough and solid metal record, the second record had a grungier sound, making it less appealing to fans who had developed a taste for his debut album.

In between both albums, Fight released an EP, ''Mutations'', featuring ''War of Words'' studio versions, live cuts and alternate mixes. Immediately before this, Halford had recorded a track called "Light Comes Out of Black" for the 1992 movie ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. The song featured music provided by Pantera, although their contribution is uncredited.

After Fight, he collaborated with guitarist John Lowery in an industrial-influenced project called 2wo which was executively produced by Trent Reznor and released on his Nothing Records label.

Halford returned to his metal roots in 2000 with his band Halford and the widely acclaimed album ''Resurrection'' (2000), produced by Roy Z. A live album in 2001 was followed up by 2002's ''Crucible''.

Reunion with Judas Priest

Halford's reunion with Judas Priest had been speculated about when he was no longer in the line-up, at least since the release of the ''Resurrection'' album, which some critics claimed sounded more like Judas Priest than the band's previous album ''Jugulator'' (1997). Halford himself had never ruled it out, claiming in 2002 that "Gut instinct tells me that at some point it will happen".

In July 2003, Halford returned to his former band, and they released ''Angel of Retribution'' in 2005. The world tour that accompanied the release marked the band's 30th anniversary.

In 2008, Halford recorded ''Nostradamus'' with Judas Priest, and appeared with the band on the Metal Masters Tour. Long in the works, ''Nostradamus'' fuses heavy metal and operatic elements while relating events in the life of the 16th century French prophet of the same name.

In 2011, Judas Priest will embark upon their final tour as a group, titled the "Epitaph" tour. Subsequent to the tour's announcement, Halford stated that he will continue to move forward with his solo band.

Other activities

Halford has performed as the vocalist for Black Sabbath at three shows. He replaced Ronnie James Dio for two nights in November 1992, when Dio elected not to open a show for Ozzy Osbourne. Halford also replaced Osbourne in Black Sabbath on 25 August 2004 (Halford's 53rd birthday) at an Ozzfest show in Camden, New Jersey, since Osbourne could not perform due to bronchitis.

In early 2008, Halford expressed a desire in making a black metal album, citing encouragement from former Emperor frontman Ihsahn. He said he'd "...love to but it's all about finding the time".

He provides his voice to the video game ''Brütal Legend'', released in October 2009, where he voices General Lionwhyte, as well as the leader of the Fire Barons, he also heavily influenced the appearance of the latter.

In 2002, Halford had a small role in the film ''Spun'' in which he played a sex store clerk.

Halford developed the clothing line Metal God Apparel with plans to develop retail sales through 2010.

Halford had a brief cameo in a recent commercial for Virgin Mobile, appearing as a priest.

Personal life

In 1998, Halford came out as gay publicly on an interview with MTV News.

}}

It is revealed in ''Behind the Music'' that hiding his sexuality during Priest's career caused him a lot of depression and isolation which led to his alcohol and drug abuse.

This event was the subject of the song "Hats Off to Halford" by Atom and His Package (released on ''Making Love'', No Idea Records, 1999).

He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, US, though he also maintains residences in San Diego, California, US and Amsterdam, Netherlands, as well as a home in his native Walsall, United Kingdom. Although he is able to play several instruments (including guitar, bass, harmonica and drums), he does not consider himself enough of an accomplished instrumentalist to play while performing on stage. In an interview with Motor Trend, he revealed that he has owned a variety of classic cars, including a 1970's Aston Martin DBS, a Chevrolet Corvette and a Mercury Cougar, although he didn't pass his driving test until he was 38 years old; his current daily driver is a 2006 Cadillac DTS.

He has been clean and sober since going to rehab in 1986, stating that, before that point, he heavily abused drugs and alcohol. He was born and raised in a Christian home, and states the following about his upbringing: "On a religious, more spiritual foundation, that really, for me, has become more important since I became clean and sober on Jan. 6, 1986. That was 25 years ago and I think that’s probably more important to me now, on a daily basis."

Discography

Judas Priest

''Rocka Rolla'' (1974)

''Sad Wings of Destiny'' (1976)

''Sin After Sin'' (1977)

''Stained Class'' (1978)

''Killing Machine'' (1978) (released as ''Hell Bent for Leather'' in the USA 1979)

''Unleashed in the East'' (1979)

''British Steel'' (1980)

''Point of Entry'' (1981)

''Screaming for Vengeance'' (1982)

''Defenders of the Faith'' (1984)

''Turbo'' (1986)

''Priest...Live!'' (1987)

''Ram It Down'' (1988)

''Painkiller'' (1990)

''Angel of Retribution'' (2005)

''Nostradamus'' (2008)

''A Touch of Evil: Live'' (2009)

''British Steel - 30th Anniversary - Live'' (2010)

Fight

''K5 – The War of Words Demos'' (1992) (released in 2007)

''War of Words'' (1993)

''Mutations'' (1994)

''A Small Deadly Space'' (1995)

2wo

''Voyeurs'' (1998)

Halford

''Resurrection'' (2000)

''Live Insurrection'' (2001)

''Crucible'' (2002)

''Halford III: Winter Songs'' (2009)

''Live in Anaheim'' (2010) (recorded in 2003)

''Halford IV: Made of Metal'' (2010)

Guest appearances

Krokus – ''Headhunter'' – vocals on "Ready to Burn" (1983).

Surgical Steel – ''Surgical Steel'' (demo)- vocals on "Smooth And Fast" (1984).

''Hear 'n Aid'' (1986).

With Stryper on the ''Against the Law'' tour in Toronto, Canada, performing "Breaking The Law" (1990).

Ugly Kid Joe – ''America's Least Wanted'' – backing vocals on "Goddamn Devil" (1992).

Skid Row – ''B-Side Ourselves'' – vocals on "Delivering the Goods" in a live version (1992).

* the same outfit also performed for a live-in-studio session on the MTV show ''Headbanger's Ball'' (1992).

Black Sabbath – on 14 and 15 November 1992 Halford took over vocals for Sabbath, who played a double performance at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, California, USA (1992). This was part of Ozzy Osbourne's "final" solo tour, prompting former Sabbath vocalist Ronnie James Dio to refuse to play and subsequently leave the band for a second time.

Background vocals on the song "Hex 'n' Sex" for the album with the same title by the German band Brings (1993).

Bullring Brummies, a studio session line-up that came together to contribute to the ''Nativity in Black'' tribute compilation album of Black Sabbath cover songs (1994).

Recorded the song "Light comes out of Black" with Pantera for the ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' soundtrack (1992).

While playing their concert in Miami, FL, Metallica asked Halford on stage to perform a version of "Rapid Fire", originally recorded by Judas Priest. on ''British Steel'' in 1980 (1994).

Queens of the Stone Age – ''Rated R'' – vocals on "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" (2000).

Performing a live medley with Sum 41 and Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe, MTV's 20th Anniversary (2001).

Furious IV – ''Is That You?'' (2002).

''Spun'' motion picture (2002) – "Pornclerk" character.

''Brütal Legend'' – Voicing the main villain Lord Doviculus' minion General Lionwhyte, who is strongly based on the culture of glam metal. Also voiced the leader of the Fire Barons, who was directly modeled after his younger appearance.

Black Sabbath – Halford filled in for an ill Ozzy Osbourne during the Ozzfest stop in Camden, New Jersey, USA on 26 August 2004.

References

External links

Rob Halford interview @ Metalpaths.com 2010

Judas Priest official website

Metal God Apparel, Halford's clothing line

Halford's MySpace discussion group

Interview @ Chaos Control

Rob Halford Interview on Music Business Radio

glbtq profile

Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:English songwriters Category:English male singers Category:English rock singers Category:English heavy metal singers Category:People from Walsall Category:LGBT musicians from the United Kingdom Category:LGBT people from England Category:Judas Priest members Category:English expatriates in the United States Category:English tenors Category:Musicians from Birmingham, West Midlands

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