They were the architects of modern metal. On the cutting edge of rock in so many ways. So, what happened when they were given the Septenary treatment? Hell Bent for Leather: A+ (100)Screaming for Vengeance: A+ (100)Painkiller: A (97)Sad Wings of Destiny: A (96)Stained Class: A (94)Point of Entry: B+ Continue Reading
Judas Priest
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Nostradamus
The end is nigh. And it’s sooooo boring…… Judas Priest – Nostradamus – 2008 (iTunes – Amazon) I’m not sure what to make of this. The first track of Nostradamus, “Dawn of Creation”, opens with strings, pianos, moody wind effects and then a keyboard track that reminds of the soundtrack Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution
21st Century Priest. Judas Priest – Angel of Retribution – 2005 (iTunes – Amazon) Well, this is more like it. From the opening harbinger of doom track Judas Rising, right through the next track Deal with the Devil, we know that we are back in familiar territory. I’m not sure Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Demolition
Rap? Judas Priest and….rap????? Judas Priest – Demolition – 2001 (iTunes – Amazon) Okay, yes. There is a nu-metal rapcore song on this album. It is the last. It’s called Metal Messiah and it serves to remind me of a terrible time when it seemed that Limp Bizkit would never Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Jugulator
Oh. No. Nonononono. Judas Priest – Jugulator – 1997 (Not Available) What the fuck were they thinking? Okay. Let’s get this out of the way. This is the record with “Ripper” Owens, you know, the guy that the movie Rock Star was (“NOT”) based on? Halford is gone. And somehow Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Painkiller
Waitaminnit. Judas Priest – Painkiller – 1990 (iTunes – Amazon) I don’t know what happened. I don’t know how it came to be. I imagine that the new drummer, Scott Travis unleashed something but… This album is great.I mean it’s scary great. Halford is in full voice and the Tipton/Downing Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Ram It Down
It’s 1988. Metal is everywhere. And the fathers of the movement are rendering themselves anonymous in their quest for domination and relevance. Judas Priest – Ram It Down – 1986 (iTunes – Amazon) Now, I’m just confused.Ram It Down is supposed to be the second half of Turbo. Everything I’ve Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Turbo
Uh-oh. Judas Priest – Turbo – 1986 (iTunes –Amazon) Turbo Lover? Oh, dear.Someone has run almost completely out of ideas or hung out with Freddie Mercury far too often.Synthesizers? Who is this? Night Ranger? Loverboy? It must have really sucked to be a Judas Priest fan in 1986. Can you Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith
And the metal Gods roll along….. Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith – 1984 (iTunes – Amazon) I really feel like I should put about as much effort into this review as the band did into this record. Mediocre. There. Okay, I’ll put in a little more, after all, Continue Reading
Listening Post: Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance
Priest ushers in the true age of metal. And millions of cans of final net will be sold before the decade is out. Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance – 1982 (iTunes – Amazon) I would like to go back in time 25 years and kick the pretentious asshole that Continue Reading