**Review: Original Judas Priest Singer Al Atkins Reflects on Rob Halford’s Vocal Style**
In a candid and revealing reflection, original **Judas Priest** frontman **Al Atkins** recently admitted that he “didn’t like” **Rob Halford**’s high-range vocal style when he first heard it. Speaking in a new interview, Atkins—who fronted the band from its formation in 1969 until his departure in 1973—opened up about his initial reaction to Halford, the man who would go on to define Judas Priest’s sound and become one of heavy metal’s most iconic voices.
Atkins, known for his bluesy, more traditional rock tone, expressed surprise when Halford replaced him and brought a radically different approach. “It was a total shift in vocal direction,” Atkins said. “I was used to a lower, grittier sound—more in line with early Sabbath or Zeppelin. Rob came in with this operatic, high-pitched delivery. At first, I wasn’t sure it fit the band’s style.”
However, Atkins also acknowledged Halford’s undeniable talent and the eventual impact his vocal range had on Judas Priest’s success. “He made it work. Not only did he fit in, he transformed the band,” Atkins admitted. “That high-pitched scream became their signature. I just didn’t see it coming at the time.”
The former frontman, who went on to a solo career and continues to perform Judas Priest classics, doesn’t hold any animosity. Instead, he respects how the band evolved after his departure. “They took it to a new level. Rob’s voice became a cornerstone of the metal genre. It was different from what I envisioned, but it worked brilliantly.”
Atkins’ comments offer a rare, honest look at a pivotal transition in metal history—one that underscores how stylistic risks can redefine a band and help shape an entire genre.
