JUDAS PRIEST

JUDAS PRIEST
POINT OF ENTRY (1981)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

Judas Priest's 1981 Point of Entry was the follow-up to the classic British Steel. Speaking in vinyl terms, if Point of Entry consisted of the entire first side and "Solar Angels" from side two, it would be 5-star and Priest's most solid album. Unfortunately, it continues with some of Priest's worst tracks.
First, the best stuff: The first three songs also sport music videos available on the video Fuel for Life. "Heading Out to the Highway" is the best of the bunch, but "Don't Go" and "Hot Rockin'" are also excellent, catchy tracks. I really like "Turning in Circles." It is a fun, kick back rocker. "Desert Plains" is excellent. It is a slower track dominated by some thundering drums by Dave Holland (now serving 8 years for a sexual assault conviction). The song transports its listener across desert plains. It is very well done. "Solar Angels" doesn't blow one away but is a solid, catchy track. It is almost of the style of a British Steel song as it is a driving, repetitive song with no chorus (like "Rapid Fire" and "Steeler"). If it had the grinding guitar sound, it would fit very well on British Steel.
Now for the bad stuff: The rest of the album is terrible. "You Say Yes" is just annoying, especially the chorus. The quiet bridge is the best part. Parts of "All the Way" sound a little like "Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise," but it is not in the same league as that excellent British Steel track. "Troubleshooter" is also annoying and "On the Run" is a little better, but not by much. Although this album breaks down at the end, the best tracks are so good that this album is still worthy of your attention.

1. Heading out to the Highway
2. Don't Go
3. Hot Rockin'
4. Turning Circles
5. Desert Plains
6. Solar Angels
7. You Say Yes
8. All the Way
9. Troubleshooter
10. On the Run
Bonus Tracks
11. Thunder Road
12. Desert Plains [Live]

SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE (1982)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

After releasing Screaming for Vengeance in 1982, Judas Priest began a creative slide, from which they've never recovered. However, if you're gonna be remembered for something, it might as well be a record as heavy, incisive and melodic as Screaming. The disc featured the band's biggest hit, "You've Got Another Thing Coming," a sonic inferno that was as hook-laden as it was heavy. But the album also contained uncompromising turbo-blasts like the title track and the steely "Electric Eye." Throughout Rob Halford growls and sings in a voice that could at high volumes kill rodents and small dogs, and guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton unleash their arsenal of inspired and engaging riffs. Classic.

1. The Hellion
2. Electric Eye
3. Riding On The Wind
4. Bloodstone
5. (Take These) Chains
6. Pain And Pleasure
7. Screaming For Vengeance
8. You've Got Another Thing Comin'
9. Fever
10. Devil's Child
Bonus tracks
11. Prisoner Of Your Eyes
12. Devil's Child (Live)