So after Maiden, it would seem natural to do Judas Priest and that’s who’s up next. Now out of bands like Sabbath Motörhead, and Maiden, these guys are the ones I’ve listened to the least. So here we go……..
Rocka Rolla- this is really not what I was expecting. And if you haven’t heard this album don’t expect it to be like British Steel or Painkiller either. This is less of a metal album and more of a hard rock album. Overall, it’s not bad. It’s just very different and Rob Halford doesn’t really hit a lot of high notes. I give it 7/10
Standouts: One For The Road, Never Satisfied, Dying To Meet You
Sad Wings of Destiny- well this is certainly a big departure from the last album. I mean this is the album where they really formed their sound and image. I think I actually have this on vinyl and got Richie Faulkner to sign it at NAMM (yes I know he didn’t play on this but it was all I could find at Amoeba on such short notice so back off). Anyway, it’s easy to see how bands like Metallica and even Slayer would be influenced by this album. I guess you could consider this one a classic. I give it 8/10
Standouts: Tyrant, Genocide, The Ripper
Sin After Sin- I feel like this one has more of a hard rock edge than a metal one. That said, it’s definitely a classic album and I remember hearing Slayer cover Dissident Aggressor and actually going back to the original version. I feel like this is the first of many classic albums from them. I give this one 8/10
Standouts: Dissident Aggressor, Starbreaker, Race With The Devil
Stained Class- alright so this album to me is somewhat more of the same and maybe it’s me but I kind of was expecting some kind of riffs that you would find in a band like Sabbath or Maiden. That being said, this is a pretty good album but it just seems to lack that metal edge. If I was in a working environment and was looking for something that rocks but won’t send people running, I would put this album on. Overall, not bad and I give it 7/10
Standouts: Exciter, White Heat Red Hot, Heroes End
Hell Bent For Leather- so this was an album I had heard about but never really listened to until I was a little older. This one definitely is faster than the previous album and on here, I feel like they are starting to veer more towards that metal edge. I also feel like this one is one of those classic albums and I’m pretty sure the title track is a staple during their live shows (they definitely played it when I saw them). I give this 9/10
Standouts: Delivering the Goods, Burnin’ Up, Evil Fantasies
British Steel- this was my introduction to Judas Priest with the song Living After Midnight. I would say that if you are looking for a place to start, then this is a good album to do so. I mean what can I say? It’s a classic and some would call it the quintessential Judas Priest record. Than being said, I cannot give it anything but a score of 10/10
Standouts: Rapid Fire, The Rage, Grinder
Point of Entry- if you are looking for British Steel part 2, then this album isn’t it. Is it a good follow up? Yes it is. Is it as strong as that album? Well not quite but still a very good record and this is one of those that is definitely mentioned when people talk about great Priest records. Overall, an excellent record and one to definitely listen too. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Hot Rockin’, Solar Angels, Turning Circles
Screaming For Vengeance- ah another classic Priest record. With the last couple records, we see this upward trend of great albums and this one is definitely one of those albums. Like this is one of those where they have definitely found their sound that works for them. Again another 10/10
Standouts: Electric Eye, Fever, Devil’s Child
Defenders of the Faith- I personally think that this one and the last one could be listened to back to back. This one sort of picks up,where the last album left off and makes it a little heavier. Sometimes, I feel like people always are fans of this one or Screaming. I find it hard to choose sometimes as both records are awesome. Another fantastic record and another 10/10
Standouts: Jawbreaker, The Sentinel, Heavy Duty
Turbo- oh boy now we’re in for some cheesiness here. I mean after two great albums we get this. Now I’ve heard that even Rob HALFORD himself say that this the album people love or hate. Personally it’s not their best and I’m not sure what the hell they were thinking on this one. I mean the title track is catchy but the songs are just so poppy. I mean maybe they were trying to go for radio friendly songs and I have no choice but to give it a 1/10
Standouts: Rock You All Around the World, Private Property
Ram It Down- Alright so here we are back to normal with this record. The pop sound is gone and they’ve gone back to their metal sound. Honestly, I hadn’t listened to this album very much and I’m glad I did because it’s a really good album. The songs are great and the riffs are fantastic. I will say that the guitar work from KK Downing and Glen Tipton is some of their best here. There is als a cover of Johnny B. Goode which is an interesting choice for them to cover. Definitely a solid 9/10
Standouts: Ram It Down, Heavy Metal, I’m a Rocker
Painkiller- so 1990 gave us a lot of great albums. I mean we had Rust in Peace from Megadeth, Persistence of Time from Anthrax, No Prayer For the Dying from Iron Maiden, and we have Painkiller. I’d definitely say that this is their heaviest record so far. I mean that opening track is so good and heavy and the album continues to be that way. Again the guitar work is some of their best and Rob’s vocals are outstanding. Sadly (for some), this would be the last record with Rob Halford. Definitely a 10/10
Standouts: Hell Patrol, Leather Rebel, Between The Hammer & The Anvil
Jugulator- I feel like I’m in a minority here with this record. Yes it’s the first with new singer Tim Ripper Owens but it’s just so dark and heavy this one. I mean there is even some double bass on here and the riffs are so heavy and brutal. I think on this one, they came out the gate guns blazing and made a fantastic record. Now if only they would put this album on Spotify then that’d be great!! I give this another 10/10
Standouts: Jugulator, Blood Stained, Decapitate
Demolition- the second and last album with Ripper on vocals is actually another really good record. No it’s not quite as strong as Jugulator but it’s a great follow up. This one feels slightly uneven with it going from slow to fast on some of the songs but this and Jugulator are both criminally underrated records and I give this one 9/10.
Standouts: Machine Man, Hell Is Home, Bloodsuckers
Angel Of Retribution- this is the first album with Rob Halford back in the band and it’s one of those albums that is a comeback album. It does seem like it borrows elements from the Ripper era a little bit but it also seems to pick up where Painkiller left off. Overall, a good album and it gets 8/10
Standouts: Deal With The Devil, Demonizer, Judas Rising
Nostradamus- so this is a concept album about as the name says, Nostradamus. It’s more a prog rock album and less of a metal album. It’s also a double album which makes it their longest album. I must say that this one got boring to me and I found myself waiting for it to be over. I’m just not really into prog rock or metal that much. Sadly, this is the last album to feature KK Downing on guitar. That being said, it gets a 3/10
Standouts: Prophecy, Nostradamus, Persecution
Redeemer of Souls- ok so now we’re back to basics on this one. If you skip Nostradamus and listen to this after Angel, you can hear them go on an upward trend. Again, this one picks up where Angel of Retribution left off and is actually a really good album. It’s sort of a precursor to the next album and it’s the first to feature new guitarist Richie Faulkner who does a great job replacing KK Downing. It also shows that a band that’s been around as long as the 70’s can still make great and heavy music. I give it 9/10
Standouts: Dragonaut, Halls of Valhalla, Creatures
Firepower- ok so this album by far is their heaviest and their fastest with Rob Halford on vocals. I had actually read several reviews on this album saying that this is their best in years and the reviews are right. There isn’t really a skipable track on here it’s that good. The opening track/title track is one of my favorite songs by far and I was lucky to see them live when I catered the VIP area in Irvine. Sadly, Glenn Tipton was not with them as he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s so hopefully he can recover and we get more Priest albums like this one because this is a fantastic record and of course it gets a 10/10
Standouts: Firepower, Evil Never Dies, Flame Thrower
Well overall, their albums are actually really good with only one or two duds in the bunch. I will say with the last two albums, if that’s a preview of things to come, then I am excited for the next album and I can’t wait to see these guys again. What should happen is a tour with both Priest and Maiden co-headlining with Last in Line and Testament opening up. Now that would be a great tour and I’d even like to see a set with both Halford and Ripper singing or at the very least hear Rob sing those songs because that era is so underrated.
Final Grade: A+
Album Rankings:
- Jugulator
- Firepower
- Painkiller
- Screaming For Vengeance
- British Steel
- Demolition
- Defenders of The Faith
- Ram It Down
- Hellbent For Leather
- Redeemer of Souls
- Point Of Entry
- Angel of Retribution
- Sin After Sin
- Stained Class
- Sad Wings of Destiny
- Rocka Rolla
- Nostradamus
- Turbo
Sinister Reviews 