Heavy Metal Icon Rob Halford, The Legendary ‘Metal God,’ Opens Up About Judas Priest’s Controversial Turbo Album Decades Later, Admitting That ‘Everybody Wanted to Throw It in the Bin,’ While Reflecting on the Risks, Experimentation, and Lasting Impact of One of the Band’s Most Polarizing Yet Fascinating Releases in Their Storied Career
Few bands in heavy metal history have pushed boundaries as boldly as Judas Priest, and nowhere is that more evident than on their 1986 release, Turbo. Nearly four decades later, frontman Rob Halford—affectionately known as the “Metal God”—looked back on the album with a candid mix of humor and honesty, admitting, “Everybody wanted to throw it in the bin.”
At the time, Turbo was a dramatic departure from the band’s established sound. Leaning into synthesizers, electronic effects, and glam-inspired aesthetics, the record divided critics and fans alike. For many metal purists, the album felt like a betrayal of the band’s hard-edged roots, especially coming on the heels of monumental records like British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance.
But for Halford and the band, Turbo was a product of its era—an experiment in blending heavy metal with emerging sounds of the mid-1980s. “We wanted to try something new,” Halford reflected. “It was risky, it was flashy, and it didn’t please everyone—but it was us exploring what metal could be.”
While the album initially sparked backlash, time has softened its reception. Songs like “Turbo Lover” have become cult classics, celebrated for their catchy hooks and unapologetic embrace of 80s excess. Today, the record stands as a reminder of Judas Priest’s willingness to evolve, even at the risk of alienating fans.
For Halford, revisiting Turbo is about acknowledging both the criticism and the courage behind it. “It may not have been everyone’s favorite,” he admitted, “but it’s part of our journey. Without Turbo, we wouldn’t be the band we are today.”
