Halford

Rob Halford established the archetype of the heavy metal frontman through his commanding presence as the lead singer of Judas Priest. Following an acrimonious exit from the U.K. powerhouse, he launched Fight alongside the band’s drummer Scott Travis. The group issued three hard-hitting albums while Halford sought to maintain his position at the vanguard of the aggressive rock style he had helped pioneer. A collaboration with Trent Reznor yielded the electro-tinged Two, yet the follow-up Voyeurs marked an unfortunate misstep. Returning to his foundational sound, Halford assembled a fresh lineup billed simply as Halford, featuring guitarists Patrick Lachman and Mike Chlasciak, bassist Ray Riendeau, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek. At the dawn of the new millennium the outfit delivered Resurrection, a direct statement of purpose from the veteran metal icon. The band supported Queensrÿche and Iron Maiden before mounting its own headlining trek, preserved on the concert album Live Insurrection. Crucible appeared in 2002 shortly after the tour concluded, incorporating a pair of bonus tracks that had not initially been slated for release. The next year brought a welcome reunion with Judas Priest, whose renewed lineup issued Angel of Retribution in 2005 and Nostradamus in 2008. Halford’s solo venture remained inactive throughout this period. Nearly seven years later he resumed recording under his own name, unveiling the holiday-themed Halford III: Winter Songs in 2009. The following year saw the arrival of Halford IV: Made of Metal, succeeded in 2011 by the live album and concert film Live at Saitama Super Arena.