JUDAS PRIEST

JUDAS PRIEST

ROCKA ROLLA (1974)
REMASTER

A strange debut but a pretty good one.
Some of the songs on here are excellent, and the whole thing is a real barrel of fun. It's not Sad Wings of Destiny, but at times it really does hint at it. It's a strange one - the bastard son of Black Sabbath, and your average hippie-rock band. There are a few rockers that are just completely fun, Rocka Rolla (feline on the borderline!) and Cheater for example, along with the bouncing opener, One for the Road. Simple but effective riffage.
Then, there's the epic stuff. This is the 70s, where everyone had to be a bit prog and crazy, and this comes out pretty good. The second half of the album is where things really pick up. Run of the Mill is an amazing song (even if the shriek at the end is pitch-shifted) with its long middle soloing section over the hypnotic bass riff (yes, you can actually hear Ian on this LP!). Then, there's the absolute highlight of the album, Dying to Meet You, which is half Black Sabbath, half Genocide, and proto-heavy metal all the way!
This album is quite enjoyable, and never mind its historical importance. Hot on the heels of Black Sabbath, here comes the Next Big Thing!

1. One for the Road
2. Rocka Rolla
3. Winter
4. Deep Freeze
5. Winter Retreat
6. Cheater
7. Never Satisfied
8. Run of the Mill
9. Dying to Meet You
10. Caviar and Meths
Bonus Track
11. Diamonds and Rust

SAD WINGS OF DESTINY (1976)
REMASTER

Sad Wings of Destiny is one of those rare classic metal albums that is just as good as it is influential, and is rightfully praised by every metal fan who knows anything. What we have here is an album that pretty much set the standard for any metal release in the future, in terms of both quality and style. This album was the heaviest, darkest and most impressive thing ever released in its time, and while nowadays it sounds kind of dated, the quality of the music is still undeniable.
Anyone who hasn't heard this album yet needs to. Not because of its influence or importance, but because it's a damn good album.

1. Prelude
2. Tyrant
3. Genocide
4. Epitaph
5. Island of Domination
6. Victim of Changes
7. The Ripper
8. Dreamer Deceiver
9. Deceiver
Bonus
10-17. The Judas Priest Story as told by John Hinch