The iconic heavy-metal band JUDAS PRIEST will be inducted into The Hall Of Heavy Metal History at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany on August 2. Hosted by Hall board members Whitney Alyson Ribbins and Steve Göldby, the private ceremony will take place prior to the band’s headlining appearance at the annual festival as part of their “Firepower” world tour.
If you’ve seen JUDAS PRIEST live you’ll know the powerful force of their dual guitar attack, driving riffs, soaring operatic vocals, the unapologetic sound of heavy metal played at its absolute best. They are a band whose message of being yourself and loving the music you love – regardless of trends – resonates all over the world. Having endured a number of line-up changes over the years they are still performing today with their 2018 album “Firepower” topping the charts. After almost 50 years, they are still at the top for their game with intense live performances and commitment to a genre they helped define.
“We have made sure that Judas Priest finally gets the Induction and respect they truly deserve”; says Pat Gesualdo, Founder/CEO of The Hall of Heavy Metal History. “We thank them for the decades of hard work and dedication to Heavy Metal, an art form they helped establish.”
In a statement the band commented “Judas Priest are thrilled and honored to accept induction into the Hall Of Heavy Metal History and be amongst so many of our friends. This also sends a great message of inclusion for the Metal community around the world and keeps us defending the Metal faith together.”
Wacken Open Air (W:O:A), is the world’s largest heavy metal music festival. Over 80,000 metal fans attend the annual event, which takes place in the village of Wacken, in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. The festival was first held in 1990 as a small event for local German bands with about 800 fans. W:O:A is usually held at the beginning of August and lasts four days.
The Hall of Heavy Metal History is a non-profit organization dedicated to enshrining forever, those Iconic musicians and music industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring Heavy Metal fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
The Hall of Heavy Metal History does an Annual Celebrity Benefit Gala in January, in Anaheim CA. The Hall also has does a European annual on-stage Induction Ceremony at Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest heavy metal music festival. The Hall of Heavy Metal History is part of the non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities).
