Judas Priest is storming back into the UK charts this week, not with new tracks, but through a reissue of one of their most renowned albums. The iconic heavy metal band is making a splash thanks to a special edition of their legendary album, Painkiller, which is reentering the charts and reaching new audiences.
The revival of Painkiller on several chart lists is driven by the UK’s National Album Day and a special vinyl release, showcasing the enduring appeal of Judas Priest, particularly in their home country. This surge in popularity underscores the timeless influence of their music.
In 2025 alone, this marks Judas Priest’s third successful entry into the Official Rock and Metal Albums chart, with Painkiller making a strong debut at No. 15. It’s one of only two top 40 entries for the band in this cycle.
Judas Priest’s Hugely Successful and Busy 2025
Earlier in the year, Rocka Rolla debuted at an impressive No. 7, followed by Live in Atlanta ’82 which entered at No. 13, though it quickly slipped off the charts shortly thereafter.
This latest reissue also makes its mark on the Official Albums Sales and Official Physical Albums charts, securing the No. 71 spot among top-selling physical formats, including CDs, cassettes, and vinyl. On the broader sales list, it begins its journey at No. 77, just shy of its physical chart position. Following Rocka Rolla, Painkiller becomes Judas Priest’s second bestseller of the year across these charts.
Judas Priest’s Album Painkiller Debuts on Multiple Charts
Moreover, Painkiller breaks into the top 40 of the Official Vinyl Albums chart, cementing its status as a best-selling vinyl record in the UK. This achievement marks the band’s fourth appearance on the vinyl-specific chart, reflecting the fewest number of placements across the four charts where Painkiller makes its debut this time around.
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The same project opens on both the Official Albums Sales and Official Physical Albums charts. Painkiller launches at No. 71 on the list of the top-selling titles on any physical format — be it CD, cassette, or vinyl. The Judas Priest classic opens at No. 77, just a few spaces below where it kicks off its time on the Official Physical Albums roster, on the general sales list. Painkiller follows Rocka Rolla, earning Judas Priest a second bestseller of 2025 on the two tallies.
Judas Priest’s Fourth Vinyl Albums Chart Hit
Painkiller also manages to sneak into the top 40 on the Official Vinyl Albums chart, narrowly managing to become a true bestseller on that format in the U.K. Judas Priest collects a fourth career appearance on the fo-only tally. That sum stands out as the fewest number of placements on any of the four charts where Painkiller debuts this frame.
Judas Priest Reaches a New Career Low with Painkiller
Painkiller now stands as Judas Priest’s lowest-peaking set on the Official Vinyl Albums chart. Before this week, that distinction belonged to Reflections – 50 Heavy Metal Years of Judas Priest, which spent one frame at No. 29. The band’s other two successes on the tally, Firepower and Invincible Shield, both missed out on becoming the group’s first No. 1 by just a single spot.
The History of Judas Priest’s Painkiller
Judas Priest shot in Los Angeles in 1991 (Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Judas Priest released Painkiller in September 1990, and the band is now honoring its thirty-fifth anniversary. The title came at a very controversial time for the heavy metal outfit, as the rockers had just been cleared of all wrongdoing in a case where the suicide of one man and the attempted suicide of another were partially blamed on the group’s music, and especially its lyrics.
The album delivered singles “Painkiller” and “A Touch of Evil,” and the full-length peaked at No. 26 on both the Official Albums chart and the Billboard 200, the American counterpart that also lists the most-consumed full-lengths and EPs in that country.
Judas Priest Celebrates Painkiller’s Anniversary With Vinyl Reissue
Judas Priest delivered a blue-and-white marble vinyl copy of Painkiller to celebrate its birthday. The drop was part of National Album Day, an initiative backed by the U.K. music industry that is aimed at shining a light on the format as an art form, and hopefully spurring sales.
Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne Joined Forces for “War Pigs”
Judas Priest returned to different charts in the U.K. only a few weeks ago, as this fall has been busy for the outfit. The group even scored a new bestselling song earlier this month. Judas Priest dropped “War Pigs,” a team-up with the late, great Ozzy Osbourne, turning the Black Sabbath classic into a collaborative affair just a short time after his passing. “War Pigs,” which Judas Priest has used as its intro music for concerts for many years, opened inside the top 20 on both the Official Singles Downloads and Official Singles Sales charts, where it held for just one frame.
