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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Classic I Have Wasted Far Too Much of My Life Not Listening to Judas Priest

Posted by Jeff Kirby on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 3:18 PM

It's not that I ever disliked Judas Priest, but for some reason it took me until now to finally, completely jump on the bandwagon. I heard the singles growing up, I chanted "Breaking the Law" along with Beavis and Butthead in grade school, but the full force of the Priest always seemed to elude me. I even had good friends in college who idolized them, guys I was in bands with, but for some reason I never figured it out. But now, Judas Priest has my full and undivided attention. Unfortunately, the cause of my revelation is more than a little embarrassing for a guy who already listens to a lot of metal: it's because of Rock Band 2. I feel dirty admitting it, but I need to be honest here. I have heard many Judas Priest songs I liked over the course of my life, but I had never heard one that I loved until I got to the final, most difficult track on Rock Band 2, "Painkiller."

Dude. What a song. So I got the album Painkiller, from 1990, the last record with Halford singing until he rejoined in 2005. Dude. What a record. Pure fire. I had no choice but to get my hands on a discography, and now I've got more material to sort through than I know what to do with - they've been putting out records since 1974. I'm slowly chipping away at it, discovering which records are classic (Stained Class), which are technically "classic" but aren't blowing my mind (British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance), and which I will probably never listen to again (Turbo). I'm going to wait until I've heard every Halford record before I dig into the ones with Mark Wahlberg singing. There's still so much to listen to, where should I go next?

Comments (13) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

check out Deaths cover of that song as well.

you finally 'discovered' it after 19 years? You said you were a metalhead? pffft.

Posted by nope on March 10, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Seems like you are exploring the mid years. That is the height of success for sure, I would say check the first two albums, especially Sad Wings of Destiny. If you really are into the Painkiller/ Ram It Down/ over the top sounds go with Halford's first solo project Fight before checking out any reunion stuff.

But excellent decision in finally getting on board.

Just listen to Unleashed in the East. It is my favorite, all the best of the early days.

Posted by hate this part on March 10, 2009 at 4:17 PM

"Sin After Sin," and "Unleashed In The East."

Posted by dan on March 10, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Gotta second "Unleashed in the East," that is a brutally awesome live record and yes ... they cover Joan Baez on it.

Glad to see you getting into some classic metal. Perhaps someday we can argue: Priest or Maiden?

Posted by Jeff on March 10, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Defenders of the Faith is pretty fucking solid.

Posted by paulus on March 10, 2009 at 4:33 PM

"Defenders of the Faith," has good moments, to be sure.

But after that came "Turbo Lover," in 1986. And perms. And hideous outfits. And the song "Turbo Lover."

And at that, I turned my back on Priest in disgust.

So when "Painkiller" arrived in '90, I didn't listen. The hurt was still too fresh. And it still is. I've still never heard any post-"Turbo" Priest.

But the early years were grand, and still hold up. Enjoy!

Posted by dan again on March 10, 2009 at 4:44 PM

I'm looking at an album cover that appears to be some sort of robot angel with it's fist thrust high in the air flying on a demonic motorcycle with saw blades for wheels and thinking that it's maybe not a bad thing that you waited so long to appreciate this band.

Posted by Adam on March 10, 2009 at 5:03 PM

8 Comment Pulled (OffTopic) Comment Policy

HELL BENT FOR LEATHER.

Posted by bunnypuncher on March 10, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Jeff, do yourself a favor and stop listenting to any Priest released after 1980. Start with "Unleashed in the East" then move slowly through the studio LP's. You'll be embarrassed you spoke so highly of "Painkiller".

Posted by K.K. & Glenn on March 11, 2009 at 6:49 PM

Dude!

I echo @2's vote for "Sad Wings of Destiny" as the place to start. The opening track "Victim of Changes" is about as good as metal gets. Their sound back then was closer to Black Sabbath's, but that's a good thing in my book.

"Unleashed In the East" is their best "LIVE" CD, and not all of their 80's stuff is terrible. "Defenders of the Faith" has some classic trax on it.

Enjoy the ride baby!

Posted by Keekee on March 12, 2009 at 7:58 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Judas-Priest-Paink…

You're never too old to learn. :-)

Steve

Posted by Brave on March 14, 2009 at 5:49 PM

Agree with others on "Unleashed in East". The studio tracks, especially the covers, really come to life. The first Priest I ever heard were "Green.." and "Diamonds..." LIVE...and from then on I was hooked.

Posted by Brave on March 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM