(TheBRHM.com) Do you have a favorite band or musical group that broke up, went on hiatus, are between albums, or released an essential member of their sound? I believe we all do. Three acts I love—Judas Priest, Slayer and Immortal—had at least one of these occur and the artist released went on to form a solo act.
In Priest’s case, longtime vocalist Rob Halford left after the incredible Painkiller album and a tour. He began with the 1992 solo project Fight which produced two studio albums—the first having a thrashy groove metal approach. There was also the industrial solo project Two before he formed Halford as a proper band.
Halford had existed as a project since 1992 but Fight became the focus for the lead singer. In 2000, Halford was a regular band and released Resurrection. By 2002, the Metal God had returned to Judas Priest.
More recent examples include Kerry King of Slayer and Abbath of Immortal. Both musicians served as guitarists in their previous, better known bands and Abbath was also the vocalist for Immortal, his vocals being distinct among 90s black metal offerings.
Why Not Just Stay with the Band?
Sometimes staying with the band just isn’t possible. In the long history of rock and heavy metal, one thing I’ve always liked that a band can continue without a member. Hell, a band can continue without the classic or vintage line up. The majority of the OG band can be gone but having one member who wants to keep the act going—whether they’re a founder or not—can keep that band rolling for decades.
Without Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden rolled on with the talented Blaze Bayley for a couple of years and even produced two full-length albums that weren’t bad at all. At least they weren’t largely ignored like Judas Priest did the Tim “Ripper” Owens’ albums.
I maintain those weren’t on Ripper’s performance as he was new to the band, more established, founding members did most of the songwriting, and he was there to fill in the space left by Halford’s departure. Also, it was the 90s—most bands that had been around in the 80s and were still active were trying something new.
So, sometimes it’s the band’s decision. I love Paul Di’Anno’s vocals on Iron Maiden but the band was going in a more epic, storytelling direction after Killers. Al Atkins fit Judas Priest early on but Priest needed someone else for their approach. Then you have the performers themselves who decide it’s time to part ways with the act.
If Halford didn’t have the solo project itch, who knows what Judas Priest would’ve sounded like in the early 90s and how their sound would’ve evolved in that decade—because the 90s was probably their least active decade. Or rather, it was the decade where the majority of their bangers were on one album…at the start of that decade.
Then again, Halford could’ve left not because of a solo project itch but just a desire for a new environment. Now, he’s got more than enough years under his belt that he can drop in and out with bands for one-offs or even be in those bands as a talent and not the founder. Seniority is a goal in most aspects of life, after all since it gives you more room to move and groove.
Sometimes the Solo Project is Just Better
Of course, it’s not unusual to see band members in multiple bands now thanks in part to recording technology, the internet, and filesharing allowing for the production of songs without band members having to be in the same studio. Sure, you want that uniform sound and production of the band recording together but that’s not always possible with touring, promotion, and recording with their primary bands.
A lot goes into that.
In the case of the mentioned bands above, they turned out better than their original bands for a number of reasons. For Abbath’s self-titled solo project, it was because Immortal was just inactive for a short period because of legal issues. Abbath albums are basically Immortal albums without Demonaz. Halford is basically Judas Priest if they had came into the 2000s hot then pivoted into heavy Christmas songs.
When Slayer first announced their retirement before dialing it back, Kerry King got his solo project up and started and—well, let’s leave most of my impressions for an album dive but it’s definitely above the three Slayer albums dropped in the last 20 years. Actually, better than albums released a little before that. Collectively, they just weren’t hitting it like they used to. The speed and aggression was still there but something else was just…missing in the post-Undisputed Attitude stuff.
What are some of your favorite solo projects that were or are better than a band’s stuff? Let us know in the comments!
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.