In a June 2017 appearance on Sirius radio podcast "Rolling Stone Music Now,"[5] Rob Halford said the band may have been inspired by AC/DC on some tracks after supporting them on a European tour in 1979.

[7] It is the first Judas Priest album to feature drummer Dave Holland, and it was released in the UK at a discount price of £3.99, with the advertisements in the music press bearing the legend "British Steal".

[7] The second bonus track, a live performance of "Grinder", was recorded on 5 May 1984, in Los Angeles during the Defenders of the Faith tour.

In 2009, Judas Priest kicked off their 30th anniversary leg of their Nostradamus World Tour in the US by playing British Steel live in its entirety for the first time.

[8] The live versions of all the British Steel tracks from this release were also made available as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game series beginning 11 May 2010.