Judas Rising
Judas Rising is a song by Judas Priest and the opening track on their 2005 album Angel of Retribution. It was released on March 1, 2005, and was recorded from October to December 2004. The track runs 4 minutes and 15 seconds and is in the heavy metal genre. It was released by Columbia and written by Rob Halford, K. K. Downing, and Glenn Tipton, with Roy Z as producer.
The song references the Judas Priest Messiah seen on the cover art of Sad Wings of Destiny, Painkiller, and Angel of Retribution. It also appears on The Essential Judas Priest and A Touch of Evil: Live. Downing says the idea dates back to the 1980s but was finished for Angel of Retribution. Halford explains that the title isn’t a strict statement of intent, but a flexible expression about the angel returning from the Sad Wings of Destiny era to a more majestic, energetic, and hopeful world. The track was well received by fans and has been a regular part of live shows since its release.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:21 (CET).