On March 9th, Judas Priest will release their 18th album, Firepower. Since they are one of the greatest metal bands of all time. It calls for something special. So while I anxiously wait, I decided to listen and review all 17 studio albums. To the metal gods!
Rocka Rolla (1974) - 7.5
It's not a bad album at all, it's just not Judas Priest yet. Yes, some basic elements that would become part of their sound are there. But for the most part the album has several influences from bluesy moments, to Sabbath-like songs.
Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) - 9.0
What to say about an album that starts with two of the best metal songs ever? "Victim of Changes" and "The Ripper" are perfect metal anthems. With Sad Wings of Destiny Priest established their sound. Halford didn't hold back and shows his full range, the twin guitar riffs and great solos are all there. The albums is heavy at times, but very progressive with many different styles influences. An essential metal album.
Sin After Sin (1977) - 8.0
Sin After Sin is a natural evolution by taking the same elements from the predecessor while picking up the aggression and speed in tracks like "Dissident Aggressor" and the title track. I love the "Diamonds And Rust" cover. But it's not all that good, some long and slow tracks break the album flow.
Stained Class (1978) - 9.5
Sin After Sin showed the way forward and with Stained Class Priest perfected it and delivered a masterpiece. From the killer proto-speed metal anthem "Exciter" to the effective closer "Heroes End", this album is a collection of some of the best Priest songs ever. The album showcases one of Halford's best performances e.g. "Saints In Hell". Moreover, Stained Class never looses its heaviness and speed. Even the fantastic "Beyond The Realms Of Death" with its slow parts keep it interesting with amazing builds up and full of great riffs and solos. A heavy metal class that has influenced countless bands to this day.
Killing Machine (1978) - 8.0
Killing Machine (also known as Hell Bent for Leather in the US) was recorded less than a year after Stained Class. And therefore is a transitional album. While some songs such as "Delivering the Goods", the ultra classic "Hell Bent for Leather" and "Running Wild" are worthy of the previous album. Other songs fell flat in an attempt of a more accessible sound e.g. "Evening Star" and "Take On the World".
British Steel (1980) - 8.5
British Steel is one of the most iconic Priest album and features two of their best songs ever "Metal Gods" and "Grinder". Overall it’s a strong album with fast and heavy songs like the opener “Rapid Fire”. And of course two of the most famous songs "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight". Now, both while good songs are too radio friendly for my taste and "United" is on the same line. So while I think it’s an excellent album, it has some less interesting moments.
Point of Entry (1981) - 7.5
Coming on the heels of their most successful album yet, Point of Entry had some big shoes to fill but unfortunately it didn't work. It's a soft and uninspired album with just a couple of good moments like "Heading Out To The Highway" and "Desert Plains".
Screaming for Vengeance (1982) - 9.0
If I take "Pain And Pleasure" and "Fever" out Screaming for Vengeance would be a perfect album. Because for the rest I have no complains. It features a huge hit "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" and all the other songs are heavy, fast and iconic like "Electric Eye" and the title track. This is Priest at its best, a metal masterpiece and an essential album.
Defenders of the Faith (1984) - 8.5
At last and to our delight Defenders of the Faith did not greatly depart from its predecessor and contained some of the greatest metal anthems: "Freewheel Burning", "Jawbreaker" and "The Sentinel". Overall there are no bad songs in this album, very heavy, fast and even progressive at times, Defenders of the Faith is a masterpiece. But I have one problem with it, "Love Bites" which was an experiment that led to 1986's Turbo.
Turbo (1986) - 7.0
The album marked the band's first use of guitar synthesizers. It's a controversial album that did very well in sales but since it focused more on light and pop rather than metal, it is also not appreciated by many fans. There's certainly a glam vibe in the album and it's hard to compared to any of the previous albums. But listening to it "independently", it's not all that bad.
Ram It Down (1988) - 7.5
Ram It Down is a transitional album still influenced by the Turbo experiment (e.g. "Blood Red Skies") and flirting with the glam metal sound which was in an all time high in 1988 (e.g. "Heavy Metal"). There are still a few gems in it like the title track and "Come And Get It" which hint into the direction the band would take in the next album. While not a bad album, it's one of their worst.
Painkiller (1990) - 10
Not only Priest's best album but one of the best metal albums of all times, Painkiller is basically perfect. Every single song is powerful and amazing. Halford is impeccable and the twin guitars better than ever. Moreover, Scott Travis debut behind the kit brought new energy to the band. The tittle track drum fill intro is one of the best in metal. The songs are not only heavy but also so perfectly crafted and in a way progressive. The song structures are diverse and the simple choices to add a bridge here or a solo there are all fantastic. All of that makes Painkiller a perfect metal album.
Jugulator (1997) - 8.0
Released 7 years after the magnificent, Painkiller, Jugulator is the first album without Rob Halford on vocals. Tim "The Ripper" Owens who was singing on a tribute band took over vocal duties after impressive audition performances singing classic Priest songs. Of course it was an immense the challenge for the band to not only replace Halford but also follow-up one of the best Metal albums ever. Given all that, I think Jugulator is an underrated album. While having some basic Priest elements from Painkiller, it does sound different, more modern and heavier, and I really like it. Ripper did a fantastic job and most of the songs are great.
Demolition (2001) - 7.5
If Jugulator was a pleasant surprise, Demolition was not. Simply put there's only three songs that are really worth it "Hell Is Home", "Feed on Me" and "One on One". With that said, I must say, I really like those songs.
Angel of Retribution (2005) - 8.0
Angel of Retribution was a return to form but still the band was taking some risks which I appreciate. But not all of them worked for me, for example the epic 13 min "Lochness" is a bit dull and "Revolution" sounds uninspired. But I did like "Worth Fighting For". For the rest, most of the songs are Priest back to its classic sound, including some fantastic performances from Halford, specially on "Deal with the Devil".
Nostradamus (2008) - 6.5
Priest is not the band to release a double concept album. I never got into this one. Kudos for trying something different, but in the end it didn't work for me.
Redeemer of Souls (2014) - 8.0
Rocka Rolla (1974) - 7.5
It's not a bad album at all, it's just not Judas Priest yet. Yes, some basic elements that would become part of their sound are there. But for the most part the album has several influences from bluesy moments, to Sabbath-like songs.
Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) - 9.0
What to say about an album that starts with two of the best metal songs ever? "Victim of Changes" and "The Ripper" are perfect metal anthems. With Sad Wings of Destiny Priest established their sound. Halford didn't hold back and shows his full range, the twin guitar riffs and great solos are all there. The albums is heavy at times, but very progressive with many different styles influences. An essential metal album.
Sin After Sin (1977) - 8.0
Sin After Sin is a natural evolution by taking the same elements from the predecessor while picking up the aggression and speed in tracks like "Dissident Aggressor" and the title track. I love the "Diamonds And Rust" cover. But it's not all that good, some long and slow tracks break the album flow.
Stained Class (1978) - 9.5
Sin After Sin showed the way forward and with Stained Class Priest perfected it and delivered a masterpiece. From the killer proto-speed metal anthem "Exciter" to the effective closer "Heroes End", this album is a collection of some of the best Priest songs ever. The album showcases one of Halford's best performances e.g. "Saints In Hell". Moreover, Stained Class never looses its heaviness and speed. Even the fantastic "Beyond The Realms Of Death" with its slow parts keep it interesting with amazing builds up and full of great riffs and solos. A heavy metal class that has influenced countless bands to this day.
Killing Machine (1978) - 8.0
Killing Machine (also known as Hell Bent for Leather in the US) was recorded less than a year after Stained Class. And therefore is a transitional album. While some songs such as "Delivering the Goods", the ultra classic "Hell Bent for Leather" and "Running Wild" are worthy of the previous album. Other songs fell flat in an attempt of a more accessible sound e.g. "Evening Star" and "Take On the World".
British Steel (1980) - 8.5
British Steel is one of the most iconic Priest album and features two of their best songs ever "Metal Gods" and "Grinder". Overall it’s a strong album with fast and heavy songs like the opener “Rapid Fire”. And of course two of the most famous songs "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight". Now, both while good songs are too radio friendly for my taste and "United" is on the same line. So while I think it’s an excellent album, it has some less interesting moments.
Coming on the heels of their most successful album yet, Point of Entry had some big shoes to fill but unfortunately it didn't work. It's a soft and uninspired album with just a couple of good moments like "Heading Out To The Highway" and "Desert Plains".
Screaming for Vengeance (1982) - 9.0
If I take "Pain And Pleasure" and "Fever" out Screaming for Vengeance would be a perfect album. Because for the rest I have no complains. It features a huge hit "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" and all the other songs are heavy, fast and iconic like "Electric Eye" and the title track. This is Priest at its best, a metal masterpiece and an essential album.
At last and to our delight Defenders of the Faith did not greatly depart from its predecessor and contained some of the greatest metal anthems: "Freewheel Burning", "Jawbreaker" and "The Sentinel". Overall there are no bad songs in this album, very heavy, fast and even progressive at times, Defenders of the Faith is a masterpiece. But I have one problem with it, "Love Bites" which was an experiment that led to 1986's Turbo.
Turbo (1986) - 7.0
The album marked the band's first use of guitar synthesizers. It's a controversial album that did very well in sales but since it focused more on light and pop rather than metal, it is also not appreciated by many fans. There's certainly a glam vibe in the album and it's hard to compared to any of the previous albums. But listening to it "independently", it's not all that bad.
Ram It Down (1988) - 7.5
Ram It Down is a transitional album still influenced by the Turbo experiment (e.g. "Blood Red Skies") and flirting with the glam metal sound which was in an all time high in 1988 (e.g. "Heavy Metal"). There are still a few gems in it like the title track and "Come And Get It" which hint into the direction the band would take in the next album. While not a bad album, it's one of their worst.
Painkiller (1990) - 10
Not only Priest's best album but one of the best metal albums of all times, Painkiller is basically perfect. Every single song is powerful and amazing. Halford is impeccable and the twin guitars better than ever. Moreover, Scott Travis debut behind the kit brought new energy to the band. The tittle track drum fill intro is one of the best in metal. The songs are not only heavy but also so perfectly crafted and in a way progressive. The song structures are diverse and the simple choices to add a bridge here or a solo there are all fantastic. All of that makes Painkiller a perfect metal album.
Jugulator (1997) - 8.0
Released 7 years after the magnificent, Painkiller, Jugulator is the first album without Rob Halford on vocals. Tim "The Ripper" Owens who was singing on a tribute band took over vocal duties after impressive audition performances singing classic Priest songs. Of course it was an immense the challenge for the band to not only replace Halford but also follow-up one of the best Metal albums ever. Given all that, I think Jugulator is an underrated album. While having some basic Priest elements from Painkiller, it does sound different, more modern and heavier, and I really like it. Ripper did a fantastic job and most of the songs are great.
Demolition (2001) - 7.5
If Jugulator was a pleasant surprise, Demolition was not. Simply put there's only three songs that are really worth it "Hell Is Home", "Feed on Me" and "One on One". With that said, I must say, I really like those songs.
Angel of Retribution (2005) - 8.0
Angel of Retribution was a return to form but still the band was taking some risks which I appreciate. But not all of them worked for me, for example the epic 13 min "Lochness" is a bit dull and "Revolution" sounds uninspired. But I did like "Worth Fighting For". For the rest, most of the songs are Priest back to its classic sound, including some fantastic performances from Halford, specially on "Deal with the Devil".
Nostradamus (2008) - 6.5
Priest is not the band to release a double concept album. I never got into this one. Kudos for trying something different, but in the end it didn't work for me.
Redeemer of Souls (2014) - 8.0
When the album came out, I really liked it. Most of the songs are classic Priest. But the album is too long and 4 years later, I realize I rarely go back to it.
There you go! It took some time, but totally worth it. And now if I'd rank them from most to least favorite, it would look like this...
There you go! It took some time, but totally worth it. And now if I'd rank them from most to least favorite, it would look like this...
1 Painkiller
2 Stained Glass
3 Screaming for Vengeance
4 Sad Wings of Destiny
5 Defenders of the Faith
6 British Steel
7 Sin After Sin
8 Killing Machine
9 Angel of Retribution
10 Jugulator
11 Redeemer Of Souls
12 Rocka Rolla
13 Point of Entry
14 Ram It Down
15 Demolition
16 Turbo
17 Nostradamus
2 Stained Glass
3 Screaming for Vengeance
4 Sad Wings of Destiny
5 Defenders of the Faith
6 British Steel
7 Sin After Sin
8 Killing Machine
9 Angel of Retribution
10 Jugulator
11 Redeemer Of Souls
12 Rocka Rolla
13 Point of Entry
14 Ram It Down
15 Demolition
16 Turbo
17 Nostradamus
Priest! Priest! Priest!
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