Judi Atas 2 Album Pertama Judas Priest Acquisition Reach Music Publishing

Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford (right) with guitarist Richie Faulkner (Instagram @judaspriest)

JAKARTA - Reach Music Publishing obtained master rights and the issuance of the first two albums Judas Priest; Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny from Gull Entertainments.

Reach will work in partnership with Judas Priest on these two albums and plan various projects to be announced at the end of the year, including a special release for Rocka Rolla's 50th anniversary in 2024.

Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny are the first two albums of Judas Priest released by Gul Records in 1974 and 1976. They are seen as important albums in heavy metal music development, starting the band's 50-year history and containing classic songs such as Victim Of Changes, Themen, and Rocka Rolla.

Judas Priest then signed a contract with CBS Records (now Sony) to release their third album in 1977, but the ownership rights of both masters and publishings for the first two albums were still owned by Gull for nearly 50 years until their sales to Reach.

Prior to this deal with Gull, Reach was already in a relationship with Judas Priest as the publisher partner of the band's member Glenn Tipton.

In 2021, Reach Music announced the acquisition of 50 percent copyright, as well as administrative rights around the world, a catalog of Tipton songs, starting with songs released in 1977, and including iconic songs such as Breaking The Law, Living After Midnight, and You've Got Another Thing Coming.

The current acquisition of Gull reunites the complete catalog with Tipton and Reach, to include the composition of the 1974 and 1976 Judas Priest albums.

Furthermore, apart from Tipton, the acquisition of the first two albums of Judas Priest led Reach to make a deal with other Judas Priest members from that time period Rob Halford, Ian Hill and KK Downing because Reach will represent the composition they co-authored from the two albums.

"The master's acquisition and publishing for the Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny albums is a great opportunity for Reach Music, shortly after Judas Priest's inauguration to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (2022). This deal came with the approval of Judas Priest and their manager Jayne Andrews, and I am excited to start working with them on various dedicated projects, including re-released (the two albums) with high quality," said Michael Closter, president and owner of Reach Music. from Blabbermouth, Thursday.

"I want to thank David Howells, owner of Gull, who signed Judas Priest in 1974 and released their first two albums. He has, and has continued to have an outstanding 65-year career in the music industry. Thank you for your trust in selling this for these important and historic Judas Priest albums," he added.