Judas Priest is an immensely influential heavy metal band formed in 1968 in Birmingham, England by K.K. Downing and Ian Hill. The band's classic line-up consists of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, and bassist Ian Hill. They epitomize the classic heavy metal genre, particularly the NWOBHM ('New Wave of British Heavy Metal') movement, and have influenced hundreds of musicians and bands. Their popularity and influence earned them the nickname 'Metal Gods'.