Alright folks, it is time for another #Metaljourney
This time I will do a chronological re-listen of all studio albums of a band I know very well, and which is without a doubt my favourite metal band:
the mighty Judas Priest 🤘
...hoping that some users will follow me on my journey (looking at you, @bestiaexmachina)
Kicking things off in the early 70s, here's Rocka Rolla:
🎵 One for the Road by #JudasPriest
2 / n
Fun fact about #RockaRolla: the band hated the outcome. They wanted to do something heavier, but the record company ignored their wish.
I like it though 🤷♂️
I did do a ranking of all #JudasPriest albums last year:
https://metalhead.club/@derthomas/109550373353123849
Let's see if anything changes in this #Metaljourney
This will also be my first time listening to Jugolator and Demolition.
Meanwhile, here's a psychodelic prog song by JP (not kidding):
🎵 Winter Retreat
Here is my #ranking of #JudasPriest albums: Superb albums: 1. Painkiller 2. Stained Glass 3. Sad Wings of Destiny 4. Firepower 5. Defenders of the Faith 6. Screaming for Vengeance 7. Sin After Sin Great albums: 8. Killing Machine 9. British Steel Good albums: 10. Point of Entry 11. Turbo 12. Angel of Retribution 13. Ram it Down 14. Redeemer of Souls 15. Rocka Rolla Without rating (didn't listen): - Jugolator - Demolition - Nostradamus What's your ranking?
3 / n #JudasPriest #Metaljourney
I completely forgot what a great song this one is:
🎵 Run of the Mill
https://song.link/y/64IJJW0Iy8Y
At 8 minutes and 32 seconds it is also Priest's third longest song, and it has 70s written all over it, with only a hint of what would become the Judas Priest most people know.
Rob Halford mentioned that they kept their guitar play rather simple, to sound more heavy metal, but #RockaRolla has some nice solos!
4 / n #JudasPriest #Metaljourney
Back last year I rated #RockaRolla as "good album". And that fits, I am staying with that: 3 / 5
Ranking
1. RockaRolla 3/5
Now the version I was listening to closed with a bonus track, Diamonds and Rust, which was recorded during the Sad Wings Of Destiny Sessions and is not the Sin After Sin version (thanks wiki).
5/n
The second album of my #JudasPriest #Metaljourney is already one of my favourites ...although that doesn't say much because I have like 10 favourite Priest albums.
The year is 1976, #SadWingsOfDestiny has 70s still written all over it, but the guitars are toned down and sound a lot heavier.
"Victim Of Changes" is a masterpiece, but I'll link the second song of the album, because I adore the razor sharp vocals that underline the lyrics of...
🎵 The Ripper
6/n
#SadWingsOfDestiny is packed with great songs!
It is definitely the album I'd recommend to anyone who thinks #JudasPriest are Painkiller.
Victim Of Changes, The Ripper, Deceiver, Island of Domination and ...
🎵 Tyrant
https://song.link/y/-InYiX4kP8U
The most surprising song might be Epitaph wich could be on any early Queen album.
...so many awesome songs and great riffs and Rob is slowly turning into the Metal God he is 🤘
4,5 masterpiece!
Ranking:
1. Sad Wings Of Destiny 4,5
2. Rocka Rolla 3
7/n
Album number 3 on my Judas Priest #Metaljourney was already hinted in a song on Sad Wings (do you know which one?).
Released only 1 year after SWOD in 1977, the guitars sound even more heavy and there's more Rob Halford trademark shrieks.
The album is of course Sin After Sin, and it starts with a fast paced number called...
🎵 Sinner
https://song.link/y/kEFeZ0RWlG4
How fitting that Rob called his autobiography "Confess".
8/n
Interesting how you'll always discover something new each time you revisit albums on a #Metaljourney
For example:
Let Us Prey / Call for the Priest starts as a Queen song that turns into a Deep Purple song only to become a Judas Priest song with Motörhead like drums. And with the Metal God. Great fast number!
🎵 Let Us Prey / Call for the Priest
9/n
After a very slow number (there are actually 2 slow numbers on this record) comes the (up until then) most heavy and aggressive Judas Priest number:
🎵 Dissident Aggressor
https://song.link/y/4_sSV_KqU4o
#TomsNowPlaying #JudasPriest #SinAfterSind #DissidentAggressor #Metaljourney
10/n
Sin After Sin is a remarkable Judas Priest ablum. Not only does it contain two slow numbers, but also two covers (Diamonds and Rust, Race with the Devil).
The tempo has been picked up a notch and the guitars are heavy. This might be Priest's first "pure" heavy metal album.
#SinAfterSin is great, but not a masterpiece (to me).
Hence 4 out of 5 horny little Robs (read his biography!)
Ranking
1. Sad Wings of Destiny 4,5
2. Sin After Sin 4
3. Rocka Rolla 3
11/n
Do you know the Canadian Speed Metal Band #Exciter? They are named after the opener of Judas Priest's fourth studio album "Stained Class".
I alwas thought that was a bit of strange name for an album, but what do I know?
Note: I thought the album was called Stained Glass 🤦
The album is (again) one of my favourites.
Anyhow, here's the the song with the iconic title (and sing-along harmonies):
🎵 Exciter
https://song.link/y/1tlEa0rDZbM
12/n
#Metaljourney trivia:
Did you know that a lot, and I mean A LOT of Judas Priest's lyrics are about Rob's life as closeted horny gay lad? Again: read his autobiography, and listen closely to the lyrics.
"I came across a smoking field, pulsating afterglow
I saw a seering flash of light erupt and skyward go"
...told ya!
That's from...
🎵 Invader
13/n
Beyond the Realms of Death is next in my #JudasPriest #Metaljourney
And I think it might be a fitting contribution to @Kitty 's #TuneTuesday this week. Because @VestigialLung asks for #TheDeepestCut - lesser known songs from famous bands.
🎵 Beyond the Realms of Death
https://song.link/y/MtWJoIUifQI
Arguably the best song on Stained Class, even though it's a ballad. But it's a great one 🤘
14/n
"You can't put out this love
The fire burns below"
Fire Burns Below is another slow number and another song in which Rob deals with his inner conflict.
🎵 Fire Burns Below
https://song.link/y/DeTO9MmVch8
Stained Class is a great album, but in terms of ranking, I think this time I'll put it after Sad Wings. I'll give it 4 out of 5 fires that burn below.
Ranking:
1. Sad Wings of Destiny 4,5
2. Stained Class 4
3. Sin After Sin 4
4. Rocka Rolla 3
15/n
...time for an embarrassing confession:
To this day, I thought the album is called Stained Glass, with a G. And I never could make sense of that name.
I listened to it so often, at times it was my favourite Judas Priest album, but I never noticed that it is called Stained Class (with a C).
🤦
Thank's @SimoRavens19 for pointing that out, now I won't look like a complete idiot when talking about this album in the future 😂
But out of curiosity: did anybody else notice my mistake?
16/n
We are still in the 70s on my Judas Priest #Metaljourney
Next up is the album with two names: Killing Machine and Hell Bent For Leather.
I'll stay with Killing Machine.
IIRC this is the album where Priest went full leather heavy metal.
This one might be the catchiest sing along song on it:
🎵 Evening Star
https://song.link/at/i/207178241
#TomsNowPlaying #JudasPriest #KillingMachine #HellBentForLeather
17/n
Correction: of course this one is THE sing-along song of the album 👇
🎵 Take On The World
https://song.link/at/i/207178327
#Metaljourney trivia:
Rob wrote this song because he wanted something similar as Queen's We Will Rock You
Honestly, I don't like both songs ...and that comes from a die-hard Queen fan.
18/n
#KillingMachine is pure Heavy Metal and Killing Machine is a great album!
4 out of 5 leather rebels!
🎵 Fight For Your Life
https://song.link/y/Q0XM7ePbjvQ
Ranking:
1. Sad Wings of Destiny 4,5
2. Stained Class 4
3. Sin After Sin 4
4. Killing Machine 4
5. Rocka Rolla 3
19/n
Here come the 80s and with that a big one, a career defining album for Judas Priest:
British Steel
The album with the iconic cover was a huge success and for many it is the best #JudasPriest album.
Spoiler alert: not for me, but we'll come to that later in this #Metaljourney
#BritishSteel kicks off with a fast paced speed metal, almost proto-thrash song aptly called:
🎵 Rapid Fire
https://song.link/y/ktYn7OZCN4c
21/n
"Grinder
Looking for meat
Grinder
Wants you to eat"
🎵 Grinder
https://song.link/y/0iB9dnRPeRY
...they called the app after this song, didn't they?
22/n
British Steel closes with a song that sounds like a Christmas song, although it's not a Christmas song:
🎵 Red, White & Blue
https://song.link/y/up3bR_x2GEc
I can see why #BritishSteel is a masterpiece for many, but I really dislike 2 songs: United and the one mentioned above.
Hence 4 out of 5 white bolts of lightning.
Ranking:
1. Sad Wings of Destiny 4,5
2. Stained Class 4
3. British Steel 4
4. Sin After Sin 4
5. Killing Machine 4
6. Rocka Rolla 3
23/n
Last one for today on my Judas Priest #Metaljourney: Point Of Entry
This was the first album they recorded on the island of Ibiza.
And like with Rocka Rolla, they were not happy with the outcome.
Rob confessed that they were focused more on the party stuff and less on the songwriting stuff, hence they produced a half-assed album.
Well, I like it. And I also like the album art. 🤷♂️
🎵 Heading Out to the Highway
https://song.link/y/KFCY-241qtc
24/n
So how good is a half-assed Judas Priest album?
Still good. Very good!
If you are into polished, almost glammy heavy metal with a bit of hair twist, this is a Judas Priest album for you.
It for sure is entertaining, I'll give it 3,5 out of five.
🎵 On The Run
https://song.link/at/i/207346415
Ranking:
1. Sad Wings of Destiny 4,5
2. Stained Class 4
3. British Steel 4
4. Sin After Sin 4
5. Killing Machine 4
6. Point Of Entry 3,5
7. Rocka Rolla 3
Thomas
Hadeur