Even though he doesn’t appear on any Priest CDs, Atkins received songwriting credit on songs from early Judas Priest albums, including several on Priest’s 1974 debut Rocka Rolla and “Victim Of Changes” from Sad Wings Of Destiny.
Atkins relates his upbringing in Birmingham, England in the 1950s and early 1960s in an area that spawned some other very talented musicians such as members of Black Sabbath, Jeff Lynne (ELO), Blaze Bayley and Atkins’ eventual replacement, Rob Halford. Atkins got into music in the mid ‘60s and was in a string of blues/rock bands until forming Judas Priest in 1969.
Only a member of Priest for a few years, Atkins went on to have a long career in music, and those ups and downs are chronicled in the book. Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest And Heavy Metal is written in a very informal style, with Atkins giving his opinions on the music of the day as he is telling his own story. There are interesting insights, although it can get a bit rambling.
Atkins is still making music, and his recent solo albums have been well received. Fans of Judas Priest will find this book about the earliest days of the band compelling, but Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life in Judas Priest And Heavy Metal is also an interesting tale of a working musician whose former band went onto riches and fame. Atkins could easily be bitter and angry, but in this book he seems gracious and is still a fan of his former band.
