Biblical: Rob Halford's Heavy Metal Scriptures

by Rob Halford Narrated by Rob Halford

Overview

The Metal God, himself, Rob Halford-lead vocalist of Judas Priest and author of the critically acclaimed and reader-beloved autobiography,*Confess-delivers yet again, now with the bible of hard rock and heavy metal, all in his enlightening, hilarious, and one-of-a-kind voice.

Rob Halford has long been known for his legendary voice. As the front man of Judas Priest, his vocals have been tremendous, and tremendously influential. In 2020, he brought his voice to the page with a glorious autobiography. Fans and readers loved Halford's frank and open narrative, as well as his terrific insight and sense of humor. In an ideal follow-up, Halford runs his lively eye over all facets of the hard rock history and the heavy metal world. Biblical is an encyclopedia and manifesto in which Halford shares his opinions, memories, and anecdotes regarding every element of the rock and roll work and lifestyle from tours to tattoos, riffs to riders, and drugs to devil horns. In Halford's relaxed and honest tone, the book mixes serious and in-depth pieces with whimsical reflections on lessons learned during his fifty years of a life in music. Biblical is a handed-down-from-on-high holy tome that transports fans behind the scenes and back into their record collections, to the almighty ways of rock.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Rob Halford…is back with another fascinating and insightful book….Rob delivers the scriptures of his life’s work with a clever and unique twist….He shares these ‘gospel truths’ with humor and open candor without leaving out any risqué details….Biblical…is told in Rob’s relaxed tone, as if he is speaking directly to you one-on-one while mixing serious and in-depth topics with whimsical reflections on life’s lessons.”—Sonic Perspectives

“Fans can rightfully think of [this] as ‘The Book of Halford.’ A fast and fun read…There are plenty of funny moments.”—Antimusic.com

"[Biblical is the perfect companion piece [to Confess], looser and even more wry and humorous…. Halford’s ‘sermons from the mount of heavy metal’ will attract even the non-hardcore Judas Priest fan.”—The Houston Press

“Halford’s honest and warm recollections give the feeling of hanging out with an elder rock statesman who never fails to entertain. He shows the same humility and sensitivity as in his previous book, and readers will find that he is never far from his roots as a kid from Walsall, England. Rock-music readers who enjoyed Halford’s first book will enjoy his second just as much, if not more.”—Library Journal

“Aspiring metal gods…will enjoy these sermons from the mic.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Confess

"For nearly half a century, Halford has been the voice of Judas Priest, screaming for vengeance against nonbelievers."
—Rolling Stone

"Raw and searingly moving, Confess will delight metal heads and music fans alike."—GQ

"Confess can't be reduced to a collection of salacious gay encounters, cocaine binges or romanticized rock'n'roll horror stories. It's a cautionary tale that offers redemption through courage and the changing of times. It's a treasure-trove of heavy metal nuggets and anecdotes that any rock-blog dork would lose their mind over. But most importantly, it's a beautiful exploration of the human condition and one man's capacity for love and self-love."—Forbes

“Salacious revelations….The most hotly anticipated hard-rock autobiography of the year, Rob Halford’s Confess is gossipy, good natured, and hilarious, often unintentionally. It’s also gloriously and relentlessly filthy….With a breezy, down-to-earth frankness…Confess is much more personal story than music memoir…Halford is winningly unpretentious and self-deprecating….In its final stretches, Confess becomes a moving meditation on family, friendship, personal growth, and social progress…[a] revealing and entertaining book.”—Classic Rock Review

"[Halford] didn't pull any punches and he didn't leave anything out. I thought that was very courageous...very heartfelt and very real."—Buzz Osborne, Melvins

"Rob Halford led Judas Priest, and heavy metal itself, out of the Midlands and into the bigtime."
—The Guardian

"Deliciously readable...Confess is a warts-and-all rock'n'roll confessional."—Esquire

"A unique and deeply revealing insight into the extraordinary life he has led."
—Metal Talk

Library Journal

11/01/2022

Is one book enough for a heavy-metal god? Heavens, no! Legendary Judas Priest lead singer Halford, whose unmistakable voice and style have reigned over the metal scene for five decades now, was not done when he released his first book, 2020's Confess. As befitting a deity of his stature, Halford's second book presents his memories, thoughts, experiences, and advice in the form of scripture for his beloved "heavy metal maniacs" to consume. It is organized into "books," loosely resembling the books of the Bible. There is the "Book of Psalms and Testaments" (about songwriting), the "Book of Vestments" (about stage attire), and so on. Despite these themes, the author is prone to tangents, but Halford's honest and warm recollections give the feeling of hanging out with an elder rock statesman who never fails to entertain. He shows the same humility and sensitivity as in his previous book, and readers will find that he is never far from his roots as a kid from Walsall, England. VERDICT Rock-music readers who enjoyed Halford's first book will enjoy his second just as much, if not more.—Brett Rohlwing

Kirkus Reviews

2022-07-13
The amiable lead singer of Judas Priest serves up a heavy metal liturgy.

“You don’t go fifty years as a metal god without getting to know every last thing about what it’s like to be in a band,” writes Halford (b. 1951). To that end, he ventures commandments, parables, proscriptions, and occasional curses. The key to getting to Madison Square Garden, or, for that matter, the local pub? “When you’re starting out in a band,” he writes, “there are three things that are so crucial that you do them every single minute that you can: rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals.” Not that MSG is a be-all and end-all. Just getting in front of a crowd is payback enough, and thanks to the overly exuberant behavior of some fans, Judas Priest has been banned from MSG since 1984. These days, his post-gig routine involves a cup of tea rather than vodka and cocaine. Blending choice bits from his earlier memoir, Confess, Halford discusses the pitfalls and pleasures of life on the road. One cardinal rule: “YOU. NEVER. SHIT. ON. THE. TOUR. BUS....You don’t want to spend the morning speeding down a US freeway with your nostrils full of the drummer’s breakfast dump.” (As for drummers and bassists, so often the brunt of rock jokes, Halford counsels that they’re indispensable.) Rock is like religion in that schisms are inevitable, requiring either Spinal Tap–ish moments of free jazz or hiring some kid a third your age. The author is a grizzled—literally, sporting a “big fuck-off Gandalf beard”—veteran whose bad-boy youth is well past him. Even so, in his sermons on groupies, Halford, one of the few openly gay metal singers, allows that every now and again some young woman gropes him, which is good for a laugh.

Aspiring metal gods, or even rhythm section players, will enjoy these sermons from the mic.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175674980
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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