Rock/metal journalist Neil Daniels has contacted BW&BK; with details on his upcoming book Dawn Of The Metal Gods - My Life In JUDAS PRIEST And Heavy Metal, written with original Judas Priest frontman AL ATKINS.

The text from the book's back cover reads:

"Al Atkins is the former lead singer and founder of the multi-million selling British metal band Judas Priest. But where and when did it all begin?

During the sixties when the highly lauded Brum Beat era produced bands such as The Move and The Band Of Joy, Atkins played in various local outfits some of which laid the blue print for the heavier progressive sounds of early Judas Priest. And so it was in 1969 that a disillusioned Atkins decided to have a go at forming yet another band with his childhood friend Bruno Stapenhill. The band in question was JUDAS PRIEST.

Judas Priest quickly built up a reputation in the Midlands as a powerful live act and even secured a record deal with Immediate, which was owned by ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Unfortunately Immediate folded and so did Priest. Undeterred, Atkins formed yet another line-up of Priest in 1970 with guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. At Atkins’ behest Downing and Hill ditched the name Freight and resurrected Judas Priest. Through the early seventies Priest supported many bands including Slade, Status Quo and Black Sabbath. Line-up changes continued until May, 1973 when Atkins finally decided to call it a day.

Atkins is the co-writer of several Priest songs which are included on the band’s first two albums - Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny - both of which eventually went Gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic 'Victim Of Changes' which was a combination of Rob Halford’s song 'Red Light Lady' and Atkins’ own 'Whiskey Woman'. He also co-wrote 'Winter', 'Never Satisfied', 'Dreamer Deceiver' and 'Caviar And Meths'.

In 1989 Atkins released his debut solo album Judgement Day to great acclaim. But it was Heavy Thoughts and Victim Of Changes (the latter being his collaborative album with ex-Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland) that brought him strong sales and critical acclaim around the world. Recently Atkins has formed The Holy Rage and has shared the bill with ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet in California. In Dawn Of The Metal Gods Atkins share’s his entertaining life story with the reader. This is not just a book for Judas Priest fans but a bible for all those wishing to form a band in the tumultuous world of heavy metal."