Devin Townsend on Judas Priest's "The Sentinel" | Hooked

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The once Strapping Young Lad chronicles the "pinnacle moment" with the Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing riff that helped him earn "social collateral" and he became "moderately accepted" with schoolmates.
Warning: Devon Townsend says he hasn’t played the riff in Judas Priest’s “The Sentinel” “for enough years that it may be dubious.” But that’s hard to believe when he delivers the soaring line that’s the hook from this Defenders of the Faith (1984) track. Townsend describes his initial discovery of the song as “one of those pinnacle moments.” He also opens up about being a misfit kid, and tells a great story about overhearing older kids in band class talking about guitar-and how that riff suddenly made him one of those “cool kids” … almost.
It’s the guitar, he says, “that made me at least moderately accepted, and that still holds true to this day.” He also takes a lick at Fastway’s “Say What You Will,” a hard-strutting blues-based riff, and Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” But perhaps the biggest revelation is that the first riff he fell in love with was from Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” And yes, he does play it, plus the galloping rhythm. His next biggie was Motörhead’s “Motörhead.” “But none of that, my friends,” he adds, “compared to the social collateral or being able to impress a bunch of goofy 16-year-old with a Judas Priest riff, so I will be eternally indebted to this riff.”
And more news for Townsend’s fans: the Canadian prog-rocker will be mounting an extensive European tour in the spring, behind his 2022 album Lightwork, a compendium of tunes he wrote and recorded under pandemic lockdown-which also has a counterpart in the demos and B-sides release Nightwork. Townsend notes that Lightwork was consciously written about taking a hard look at where we are as people after a profound time in history and then taking real care to focus our future energies on what is truly important to us in light of that. Friends, health, family, creativity, time off, not running from the fear, not allowing other people’s expectations to define us, creative freedom and self-care. “Doing the difficult work to begin to know who we truly are, makes it so that during periods of unrest, we can maintain a certain degree of peace,” he relates.
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[@pekkalaitinen8769]

Devin Townsend is basically the Devin Townsend of music

[@goldanaye]

Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of Devience

[@ChaosPootato]

Don't you love how Devin has 30+ years as a world class musician, yet he still shows you that riff like a 16 year old that just learned it, looks and all

[@TheDemocrab]

Devin is one of those people that easily restores ones faith in humanity just by existing and living a somewhat public life thanks to his music.

[@barnaclestval]

My little brother is 2yrs older than Devin & I took him to see his 1st Priest show which was the Defenders tour in 1984. We listened to the Defenders album on the drive down to the New Haven Coliseum & I remember after " The Sentinel " my brother asked do you think they'll play that tonight? Sure enough half way through the set they did! I bought him a killer 3 quarter sleeve t shirt which of course you wear the next school day. He said all he did that day was tell stories to his classmates how J.P kicked ass & it was too bad they didn't see them.

[@heavi-armed-infadel]

Defenders was my favorite priest album, Glen Tipton is a bad-ass and so distinct. The middle of the solo in Rock Hard Ride Free where it opens up and Glen lays off the juiciest ascent behind the beat into a pinch harmonic makes the hair on my arms stand up dude lol 🤟🏻

[@DougieJones253]

True and it's a great album indeed. But I'm not a huge fan of the production on all those '80s album. I strongly prefer how the '70s album sounds.

[@Violator2]

Same! Best solo 👌

[@davesiddons8921]

Glenn is so underrated, his phrasing is so tasty compared to most other 80’s metal guitar players

[@happydude2163]

It is a great album. I think my fav was Killing Machine and of course British Steel. That said I love Sad Wings and even Rocka Rolla. So hard to choose just one!

[@happydude2163]

@@rockapartie I feel ya. I finally got to see Priest in Sydney in the late 2000's after the Nostradamas album, and it was one of the worst concerts I've ever been too. I was crushed, Priest and Megadeth were my favourite bands growing up (still are 2 of my favs) and all I wanted to hear was Priest Live (the album) lol. The venue sucked, and the concert was ridiculously short. I think the guys were just past it at that point - Halford especially, and the set list sucked balls - and there was no motorcycle on stage!

[@vincenttsosie8343]

Cool topic!! I grew up on the Navajo Reservation and no one had any clue how to play guitar during this era but we all loved that mad distortion especially when Metallica’s debut came out!! Thanks for sharing! Another gem was Saxon’s Redline!!

[@coryjackson8409]

The Sentinel intro is one of my all time favorite things ever recorded!!! Great to see it getting some love!!

[@williamcruz7976]

Man, that damn riff always hits the spot. So beautifully done by some of the masters. The whole album is super. And Devin, you're rad af too.

[@FERNANDOOYARZUN]

One of my favourite artists, playing one of my favourite songs of one of my favourite groups.

[@souvenoir_music]

I always have felt that the sentinel is one of JP's most underrated tracks

[@ElderDragonBrasil]

Underrated? Man, it is one of the most famous JP tracks!

[@yournamehere7182]

JP live at the 83 US Festival is just incredible!

[@Jason-cm6uh]

More Devin please. An updated Rig Rundown would be cool!

[@stinkylomax8917]

My absolute favourite Judas Priest song... from my absolute favourite Judas Priest Album.

[@geraldrauch1701]

me too!!!

[@SaberToothGary]

Because you dazzled us with The Sentinel riff, we were quick to have you produce our Beyond Hell album... thanks, Dev! Love you, buddy!

[@milancv]

Defenders of the Faith is one of my all time favorite albums and is one of the main reasons I picked up the guitar to try and learn at least a few riffs now at age 34. Absolutely stunning playing across the whole album. side note: Rock hard, Ride Free is also an incredible song that I think gets overlooked often, despite having an incredibly melodic solo. But my favorite song on the album is Night comes down. Just so atmospheric and powerful. Thanks for putting this masterpiece out there. I think it's very much underrated in the metal world. Cheers!

[@WhiteDove73-888]

The Sentinel and Painkiller are two of the best metal riffs ever 🔥

[@krommetal]

Priest also changed my life in such a similar way \,,/ cheers Devin!

[@davidwiser3883]

Devin. One of my friends turned me onto some of your music a while ago but I now have a new and greater respect for you. Cheers my brother.

[@billy4rocks]

30 odd years ago, i put on the song "Black Sabbath". It was the first Sabbath song i ever heard, and that exact same evening our little town had the worst flooding its ever had, before or since, i recall seeing people crying whilst wading through water knee deep. I honestly thought i opened a gateway to hell by playing that song.

[@Grumplefut]

It makes me happy that this many people like this song, always been one of my favorites, I'll never tire of hearing it

[@RogueA.I.]

This is my favorite 80s metal album. It’s a gem from beginning to end.

[@dreamfades]

This is one of the best Hooked, because of the story behind it and the riff itself.

[@theotherrobzombie]

I’m glad I catch stuff like this on here because it makes me revisit albums I haven’t listened to in years! I think Devin is a genius. Really smart dude and fantastic musician.

[@johnjohn37371]

I honestly think I could have watched and listened to him for hours...very engaging.

[@randallfloyd4476]

defenders is a monster album.

[@DoktorDamage]

Such an AMAZING and HUMBLE guy. No Devin, the reason you still have friends is because you are such a nice dude. But, your guitar playing is sooooooo good as well. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and you still blow me away and inspire me.

[@defectivemonk3884]

The joy DT has in playing these riffs. Priceless.

[@Howdy699]

Man, this is so awesome. Devin seems like such a cool dude. I absolutely love Judas Priest as well

[@lancepage1914]

That's because Devin is such a cool dude.

[@JelloFluoride]

"The Sentinel" is easily my favorite Priest song. And omfg growing up as an awkward kid who then became a guitarist, this story is SO relatable. At least I was the kid who could play guitar. And when you're growing up, sometimes that's a nice label to have compared to a lot of the things those mean kids can say lol.

[@fl00d69]

Devin is metal's mad scientist. Literally a living legend. This is how I know I am living in the right timeline.

[@zandig666]

Saw the Toronto S and R tour show to this day it is one of my top 5 LOUDEST shows I've seen !!!!

[@bronsonjohnson9019]

This was one of the most wholesome things I’ve ever watched. It was wonderful.

[@Mothstream]

What a strapping young lad!

[@marvellousm]

That's in my top three Priest songs ever, I love this dude.

[@metalheadbill]

Love this! One of the first shows I ever saw was Priest on the Defenders tour and it was awesome. The Sentinel is my all time favorite Priest song off of my favorite Priest album. \m/ \m/

[@Ghileo]

That’s exactly how I started playing drums seriously and the professionally. Thanks to Devin for sharing, and being a living legend. 🤘🏻💪🏻

[@JaakkoTK]

Defenders of the Faith is also my favourite JP album o/ Great to see this, I´m couple years older than mr. Townsend but love this stuff too, cheers from Finland!

[@SDH2023]

Yep, same. Sentinel intro blew my mind. Had a particular epic intensity but wasn’t too hard to work out and play… much to my delight. 😎👍

[@devilcookie9924]

my fav musician talking about my lifetime best song omg omg omfg

[@erichughes1166]

The Sentinal riff and the Fastway riff brought me right back to 1983. I was 11 years old and just found my own music. Those were great times. The music is still strong. Thank you for this video, I just had some kind of emotional cocktail head rush.

[@Froggeth81]

Amazing song from Priest off one of their best albums in my opinion. However in relation to the description where you say he also plays "You've Got Another Thing Coming" the riff he plays is actually Heading Out to the Highway!

[@ais6863]

yes

[@captainclyde5082]

One of my favorite artists talking about one of my favorite songs from my favorite album of one of my favorite bands. Best timeline

[@edwardx.winston5744]

This guy is the Keanu Reeves of hard rock.

[@negativezero8174]

It's called metal, General...

[@KoRyuJuJutsu]

Devin is a righteous dude! Love that guy! Interesting how that other Judas Priest riff sounded like Dokken.

[@KoRyuJuJutsu]

"Painkiller" is my favorite Judas Priest song.

[@RocknJazzer]

You mean Dokken riff sound like Priest. George Lynch said he is a big JP fan, and is Ritchie Faulkner's (KK's replacement) father in law, and jokingly said to him he wants to join priest too

[@KoRyuJuJutsu]

@@RocknJazzer - Nah. Dokken doesn’t sound like Judas Priest. Two totally different sounding bands. I was just pointing out the similarities in the riff, but I get what you’re saying.

[@crusheverything4449]

The article says that second Priest riff is from You Got Another Thing Coming, but it’s from Heading Out to the Highway. How come I’m the only one calling out that glaring error?

[@RocknJazzer]

@@KoRyuJuJutsu Some of the harder early dokken have many priest style riffs, read some lynch interviews, he said he loves priest and played many of their songs, as most all 80s metal players did back then. Slayer, metallica, anthrax, megadeth all have said priest were a big influence and they all covered priest songs early on, and still do (megadeth just released a JP cover a few weeks ago). JP are the link between sabbath and the 80s thrash movement.

[@radakinryder2741]

Seeing you play that arpeggio after the main riff and fucking up through it gave me a huge boost of confidence having learned how to play it awhile back. 😂 that riff is pretty challenging…

[@iwilrage]

One of my favorite songs! The entire song is amazing!

[@oulosvie]

That song is so badass.

[@ROOKTABULA]

Met Devin not long after he put his first album out. Still have the cassette he gave me. We got on well, being suitably odd and equally loquacious.

[@justinhaskell5502]

Love the story.

[@martins.8902]

THIS is my absolut favorite song of all time, none is more epic and powerful!

[@DEFKONSIXTYSIXlml]

What a fantastic album and killer guitar work

[@Les537]

Defenders of the Faith was my jam in school. Sentinel was the best song on the album. I spent the next few years drawing flying V guitars and Priest logos all over my school books. Rock on, brother.

[@guillaumekalfon9117]

Saw Priest on their tour supporting Defenders of the Faith. My first Rock concert. Ted Nudgent opening. Not surprised this riff changed at least 1 life :)

[@shabblabbat]

I could listen to Devin's story time all day! Thank you. Great story.

[@racheladkins6060]

I think I was 14 when this album came out, I first heard it at a friends, it was so exciting to hear, I was pretty overwhelmed listening to it.

[@davidcohee5356]

Thanks for sharing your talent and stories!

[@LUITEN1]

It was also my first goto riff to just bang my head off!! Defenders of the faith is by far my fav Priest's album!

[@HivernaalChannel]

One of my favorite album from the priest !

[@ChirodipBasu25021994]

Devy is just the best guy to talk about anything guitar.

[@just.some.dud3]

Devin is such a blessing. Love that man.

[@equalleftrights3130]

I have no idea what a Devin Townsend is, but now I know why. Still, anyone that attempts to play such a killer tune from Priest, is alright in my book.

[@rubenzall]

Dude this is such a great story!!!

[@TheSaintedOne]

Whoa. While listening to his remembrance of school days long past, I kept wondering how old Devin is these days. I guessed 50. Then randomly got the answer at the end and I was right. Feels good, man.

[@robmlisanti]

THANKS DEVIN!! yes Im a HUGE Priest fan since 1978! and this album is a Metal Classic!! Nice work and I too was awkward, but Metal helped me!

[@Keepler22b]

The sentinel was always my favourite song from Judas Priest. been a fan of them since rocka rolla

[@nenadmomcilovic9133]

Favorite current Judas Priest tune, Rapid Fire from Meltdown '98 with Ripper Owens. Love it.

[@ukguitarnoodle]

Awesome album. Tricky arpeggios!

[@GP-mk5tj]

In all honesty that is one of my Judas priests that I really love to play. I love the way you get that harmonic sound out of there a little bit. I usually play it mostly on the 4, 5th and 6th string.

[@acw2237]

I recently listened to an old song from The FIXX... RED SKIES. Does anybody else think Devin maybe picked up some of his singing style from that song ? Give it a listen... You'll hear it too I believe

[@vaevictis_]

Devin is awesome and this is one of my favorites from priest! Should be a much bigger hit!

[@Flannelsurfer]

It’s true, music was the catalyst in all my initial bonds with friends as a boy. In 6th grade a classmate brought me to an older kid’s house to listen to Anthrax - I’m The Man. The kid was 14 but his dad let him smoke. I felt like the coolest kid ever, and they are still my favorite thrash band 30+ years later.

[@jdbuxtox]

Beautiful Master. The Priest #1 my favorite riff Reckless

[@vallaindigital]

Brings back memories of my early metal exploration! Now I have to go listen to it, because it's been so long 😋

[@Nestorglass]

My all time favorite Priest song. Devin you fucking legend

[@Gene-XL]

I absolutely love this album. I think it’s the first JP album I bought (on cassette.)

[@rabbithowls71]

I was also obsessed with it in my teen years, forever ago… I was grounded from listening to it without headphones after about 2 weeks.😂

[@RichHutchinson]

Devin is a treasure. That is all.

[@The_Macaroon]

Great story. Totally relate.

[@rosscharlesmcleod]

My absolute favourite Priest song!

[@1848revolt]

I loved this song.

[@rickcastillo3573]

Dude. Thx. Didn’t know which song/riff to try and learn next. The Sentinel it is. 🍻

[@iflyc77]

Yep. Probably my favorite Priest song

[@chriswalter6793]

Most humble man in metal.

[@mrpositronia]

Good old Dev. What a busy guy. Go on vacation! "Iiii love ya!"

[@ronswary]

I know the feeling . Devin you the man

[@eightstringibanez]

One of favourites by my one of my favourites

[@markfisher2683]

If he doesn't already, Devin should have his own weekly check-in "whatever"....could listen to him "riff" on anything....a very cool, laid back human being- and awesome musician, of course!

[@MJSalls]

Defenders of the Faith is such an important album to me because its the first Priest album that they made while I was a fan....I had Screaming, but this shit was made while I loved them!

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Was a fave of mine too when i was at an influential age. I had just started playing guitar too!

[@GordonHeaney]

Well remembered, well played and a great choice, probably the best track on the album

[@lancepage1914]

As awesome as Devy is in this video, he is just as awesome when you meet him in person. I can attest to that. He is down to earth and has the time of day for you. A Legendary musicians and a Legendary person in general.

[@sheevthewireless110]

Glenn Tipton is the best and I love him.

[@shellycapps1796]

One of my favorite JP albums!! 🤘🏻🔥🖤🦇

[@danielgrohl6971]

Check out another really cool JP riff on the song, " Rock Forever. " When you get the squeals just right, and the chromatic lead fill it is really fun to play, and sounds Heavy Metally cool to this day. ;)

[@jking195]

Victim of Changes hooked me. All Hail the Mighty Priest!

[@davebile]

I can’t believe I just jammed “Say What You Will” with Devon Townsend. Hello eighth grade!

[@AndDeathForAll82]

Devin: *casually plays “The Sentinel” exactly as it is on the album*

[@TheChzoronzon]

Man, all the Judas albums from that era were amazing... in my case I particularly loved those between Killing Machine and Defenders of the Faith

[@standingvertical3048]

My neighbor never knew I played the guitar until he seen me at the local bar 1 Friday night. I told him, you have to get out a little more. Fast Eddie had some great licks.