We’re now into the fifth release from Heavy Metal Pioneers, Judas Priest and Killing Machine further cements their authority over the genre. I think the lads hit the mark with their last album and this one takes it to another level of brilliance. The riffs are there, the perfect combination of rock and heavy metal riffage with their guitar tones sounding simply awesome. The high speed guitar solos we know and love in Heavy Metal are here too now. The album opens up with “Delivering the Goods” which is a chance for everyone in the band guitars, drums and vocals to show of their wares with everyone basically getting a chance to show off their wares (Would have liked a bass run or solo in this song though) but either way the band is back and pushing heavy metal into the mainstream with fellow british pioneers Black Sabbath.
The album continues in fine form with “Rock Forever” and the more mellow “Evening Star” and then onto long time Judas Priest favourite “Hell Bent for Leather” a song which perfectly sums up the band at this point in time. Infact a song that would become a Heavy Metal Anthem for Heavy Metal History from that point onwards.
Another Anthemic call to power with “Take on the World”, it may seem to a little campy in todays modern metal sense but I remember hearing this as a young child before even having any idea what heavy metal even was and thinking to myself, “What a cool song”. The Next song “Burning Up” has a great sleazy dirty blues riff with that trademark metal Judas Priest guitar tone.
Next up is another Priest classic “Green Manalishi” ( which apparantly is a Fleetwood Mac cover) beefed up nicely for the heavy metal generations and still a song I’ve seen on their more recent live DVDs. The Song “Killing Machine” is up next, cool song but not stand out. “Running Wild” up next and by gosh, it’s another Heavy Metal anthem for all the ages … Goddammit, I love this song! Driving guitars, solid rhythm base this is what Judas Priest is all about!
“Before the Dawn” is another ballady type number from the lads, again not bad but to some degree it ruins the flow of the album. “Evil Fantasies” has a kind of sleazy Danzing vibe (Almost 10 years before Danzig). Again I would liked something a little higher energy to close off this album but hey its a great listen and there’s some world beating classics on this one so you can’t complain.
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