Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Don't forget Defenders Of The Faith. If it wasn't for the last 2 songs... they don't feel like a proper song.
Edit: but yeah, Painkiller has that genre's defines thing.
JUDAS PRIEST ALBUM RANKING GAME: FINAL ENTRY AND RECAP
- Thread starter Mosh
- Start date
Edit: but yeah, Painkiller has that genre's defines thing.
____no5
Free Man
I worship DotF but that was a mere 10 years after Rocka Rolla it's not the same thing.
EDIT after seeing your wow reaction: Remember the impressive here isn't that much the quality of the album, but the fact that it was released many years from the depute. 10 years is impressive, but 16 is mind boggling.
And I cannot recall another genre -defining album in rock so far from depute. RHCP's Californication (15 years) was super great but not defining, same as Motörhead's Bastards (16 years).
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I've listened to them all many times. And over the past month or two, I've listened to them again, carefully.
Screaming is Judas Priest's best album. It's hooky like Steel, intense like Painkiller, atmospheric and varied like Sin After Sin and exquisitely crafted and powerful like Defenders.
All the little things that go into a great album are there: originality, sound, performances, pacing, variety, cohesion and most importantly loads of great songs.
But the re-listen made it crystal clear that what make this album so special is the ride. Both within individual songs, and from track to track, the band makes like a fighter jet performance team: each individual instrument taking turns shifting you from hook to hook, riff to riff, rhythm to rhythm often at supersonic speeds but always in sync, passing the baton of focus from moment to moment in a way that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat without ever feeling mindless, self-indulgent or out-of-control.
Sometimes the planes are dipping and diving, Sometimes they are chugging straight at you. Sometimes they press you into your seat and other times they make you feel weightless.
The album is loaded with moments, none of them repetitive, none of which overstay their welcome. It's just one crazy good hook after another with the rhythm section a flow of lava allowing the three stars to pull on your strings with some of their most emotive performances on record. Huge, badass, frenetic, roomy, detailed and impossible to ignore.
It's the Raiders of the Lost Ark of heavy metal albums.
Screaming is Judas Priest's best album. It's hooky like Steel, intense like Painkiller, atmospheric and varied like Sin After Sin and exquisitely crafted and powerful like Defenders.
All the little things that go into a great album are there: originality, sound, performances, pacing, variety, cohesion and most importantly loads of great songs.
But the re-listen made it crystal clear that what make this album so special is the ride. Both within individual songs, and from track to track, the band makes like a fighter jet performance team: each individual instrument taking turns shifting you from hook to hook, riff to riff, rhythm to rhythm often at supersonic speeds but always in sync, passing the baton of focus from moment to moment in a way that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat without ever feeling mindless, self-indulgent or out-of-control.
Sometimes the planes are dipping and diving, Sometimes they are chugging straight at you. Sometimes they press you into your seat and other times they make you feel weightless.
The album is loaded with moments, none of them repetitive, none of which overstay their welcome. It's just one crazy good hook after another with the rhythm section a flow of lava allowing the three stars to pull on your strings with some of their most emotive performances on record. Huge, badass, frenetic, roomy, detailed and impossible to ignore.
It's the Raiders of the Lost Ark of heavy metal albums.
It’s definitely the rare instance, maybe the only instance, of a Priest album having the right flow throughout. A lot of their albums are frontloaded and end with a whimper, some just have strange choices for the end.
For a Maiden forum, ending with Devil’s Child is a weird choice, but it works for what Priest does. End with a song that has a hook which won’t leave your brain.
For a Maiden forum, ending with Devil’s Child is a weird choice, but it works for what Priest does. End with a song that has a hook which won’t leave your brain.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
I only disagree about ''the only Priest album having the right flow throughout''. For me are: Screaming, Painkiller, Turbo, Firepower, Stained Class, maybe Sad Wings and Invincible Shield.
____no5
Free Man
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Screamin, Painkiller, and Firepower are the best at sequencing.
Invincible Shield ends correctly (discounting the bonus tracks), but the front is a bit samey and could have used some rearranging.
Sad Wings has absolutely terrible sequencing.
Jer
'Til Tomorrow
Aren’t the A and B sides swapped on that one for some reason? Does your opinion change if you start with “Prelude”, run to the end, then from “Victim Of Changes” through “Deceiver”…?
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
The Top 2 albums are Priest's best classics, so whoever wins will be great. I ranked Painkiller #1 - and because of DOFT's last 2 songs.
Defenders Of The Faith! Eternal classic and an album for the ages. An example of classic heavy metal. Emblem.
I could have ranked it 1st if it wasn't for the last 2 songs. Such a strange idea from the band. 2 intros?? Why? This is Priest at their best. One of the best titles in metal. Also, one of the best Side one in metal.
What to say? The songs, the riffs, the solos and the vocals speak for themseleves. Rob, Glenn and KK are oustanding. And the production is polished and sounds great.
Frewheel Burning - one of the best openers, that verses, solos and harmony!
Jawbreaker - essential metal song; classic metal riff, chorus, screaming vocals and KK's solo is amazing and one of his very best.
Rock Hard Ride Free - awesome melodic and anthemic pure metal. That intro(!), riff, verses, chorus, solos... everything is pure gold.
The Sentinel - Top 10 song for me. Classic Priest again, the riff, the chorus and the solos are some of Priest's best.
Love Bites - has one of the best rhythms and melodic riffs.
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - another classic Priest rocker, listen to this brutal intro. The chorus and outro are also very fitting for the band. Top solos again.
Night Comes Down - one of the band's best slow songs for me. The vibe is just amazing and captivating. The chorus and solo are very effective.
Note: Eat Me Alive sans the lyrics and chorus is a great fast heavy banger with strong solos.
This could have been a perfect album. It desrved a special and longer title track. Heavy Duty could have been the intro for it, like they did for some albums. Defenders is an epitome of metal! That says enough.
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Painkiller is another epochal classic in metal/speed metal. Pure metaaaaal! This is my #1 Priest album. It perfected what they didn't get to do with Defenders. Again, everything is more or less perfect. 9 amazing songs. Plus a cool Intro.
Rob's brutal vocals, Glenn and KK's influential guitar work and great solos (most of their best are on this album) and Scott's drumming are just out of this world and for the time. High praise. For me, this is the perfect album of the band.
I also love the heavier and crisp 90's production that fits the album so well.
The title track is one of the best songs in metal with its vocals and solo, Hell Patrol is a melodic anthem, All Guns Blazing is a speed anthem with a big chorus and another great guitar work and solos, Leather Rebel contains one of my favorite riffs and verses of the band (plus drumming), Metal Meltdown also impresses with its intro, riffs, high vocals, speed and oturo, Night Crawler is one of my favorite songs of the band, love the verses, the chorus and the harmony, Between The Hammer & The Anvil is a classic Priest rocker with its parts and the solos should be noted again, A Touch Of Evil is a classic ballad-y song with memorable riff, vocals, chorus and classical solo, while the closer One Shot At Glory is one of my top favorite songs and a perfect ending to the album. Listen to this heavy riff, verses, golden chorus and instrumental section with the solos and melodic parts! That's metal.
The whole album is an impressive piece of work. Literally every song has memorable parts and solos. Well, Leather Rebel is without a proper solo (I miss it), Night Crawler too, but it compensate with the middle part. The only ''weaker'' thing IMO in the whole album is the chorus of Metal Meltdown. That's it. There aren't many such albums. Another album for the ages. One of the very best albums in metal. I'm really curious with what album this lineup would have followed it...
Defenders Of The Faith! Eternal classic and an album for the ages. An example of classic heavy metal. Emblem.
I could have ranked it 1st if it wasn't for the last 2 songs. Such a strange idea from the band. 2 intros?? Why? This is Priest at their best. One of the best titles in metal. Also, one of the best Side one in metal.
What to say? The songs, the riffs, the solos and the vocals speak for themseleves. Rob, Glenn and KK are oustanding. And the production is polished and sounds great.
Frewheel Burning - one of the best openers, that verses, solos and harmony!
Jawbreaker - essential metal song; classic metal riff, chorus, screaming vocals and KK's solo is amazing and one of his very best.
Rock Hard Ride Free - awesome melodic and anthemic pure metal. That intro(!), riff, verses, chorus, solos... everything is pure gold.
The Sentinel - Top 10 song for me. Classic Priest again, the riff, the chorus and the solos are some of Priest's best.
Love Bites - has one of the best rhythms and melodic riffs.
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - another classic Priest rocker, listen to this brutal intro. The chorus and outro are also very fitting for the band. Top solos again.
Night Comes Down - one of the band's best slow songs for me. The vibe is just amazing and captivating. The chorus and solo are very effective.
Note: Eat Me Alive sans the lyrics and chorus is a great fast heavy banger with strong solos.
This could have been a perfect album. It desrved a special and longer title track. Heavy Duty could have been the intro for it, like they did for some albums. Defenders is an epitome of metal! That says enough.
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Painkiller is another epochal classic in metal/speed metal. Pure metaaaaal! This is my #1 Priest album. It perfected what they didn't get to do with Defenders. Again, everything is more or less perfect. 9 amazing songs. Plus a cool Intro.
Rob's brutal vocals, Glenn and KK's influential guitar work and great solos (most of their best are on this album) and Scott's drumming are just out of this world and for the time. High praise. For me, this is the perfect album of the band.
I also love the heavier and crisp 90's production that fits the album so well.
The title track is one of the best songs in metal with its vocals and solo, Hell Patrol is a melodic anthem, All Guns Blazing is a speed anthem with a big chorus and another great guitar work and solos, Leather Rebel contains one of my favorite riffs and verses of the band (plus drumming), Metal Meltdown also impresses with its intro, riffs, high vocals, speed and oturo, Night Crawler is one of my favorite songs of the band, love the verses, the chorus and the harmony, Between The Hammer & The Anvil is a classic Priest rocker with its parts and the solos should be noted again, A Touch Of Evil is a classic ballad-y song with memorable riff, vocals, chorus and classical solo, while the closer One Shot At Glory is one of my top favorite songs and a perfect ending to the album. Listen to this heavy riff, verses, golden chorus and instrumental section with the solos and melodic parts! That's metal.
The whole album is an impressive piece of work. Literally every song has memorable parts and solos. Well, Leather Rebel is without a proper solo (I miss it), Night Crawler too, but it compensate with the middle part. The only ''weaker'' thing IMO in the whole album is the chorus of Metal Meltdown. That's it. There aren't many such albums. Another album for the ages. One of the very best albums in metal. I'm really curious with what album this lineup would have followed it...
DJ James
A coma stole my name.
Very nice breakdown of Painkiller @Kalata . Painkiller is an album I take for granted, it really is a masterpiece with no real skippable songs. I don’t really like Metal Meltdown but the rest I’ve gone through phases where I thought “this is the greatest thing Priest has ever done!”.
I have a real special connection to Battle Hymn/One Shot At Glory. It’s always my go-to hype song whenever I have a big event to prepare for. All Guns Blazing is probably my favorite off this album now though. That’s just going by how much I listen to it.
My personal favorite Priest album is Sad Wings, but on certain days I might tell you Defenders, Painkiller, or Firepower. Despite how weird it is, Ram it Down has also become a favorite of mine in these past few months. but I think I more so like the idea of Ram it Down more than the actual execution.
I have a real special connection to Battle Hymn/One Shot At Glory. It’s always my go-to hype song whenever I have a big event to prepare for. All Guns Blazing is probably my favorite off this album now though. That’s just going by how much I listen to it.
My personal favorite Priest album is Sad Wings, but on certain days I might tell you Defenders, Painkiller, or Firepower. Despite how weird it is, Ram it Down has also become a favorite of mine in these past few months. but I think I more so like the idea of Ram it Down more than the actual execution.
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____no5
Free Man
Of course it is, I mean I knew as soon as this thread begun.
____no5
Free Man
Best Side in Metal, period. The Abbey Road of Metal (though in Beatles' case it was side 2)
Cosmiceddie
Back From The Edge
Painkiller must be the most overrated album ever.
Siddharth
Long Distance Trooper
The title track maybe a bit overplayed (and that too in Metal circles only) but the album as a whole is certainly not overrated.
My ranking has actually changed a bit since I send mine to Mosh but my Top 3 is also similar to that of the forum:
1. Painkiller
2. Defenders Of The Faith
3. Screaming For Vengeance
#Lazy
My favourite from the album and ironically the chorus riff is one of my favourites, not to mention the slowed down version right after the solo is just awesome!
But nice review man.
KidInTheDark666
What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine too
Painkiller is very close to being my favorite album of all time. Somewhere in Time is still prevailing for now.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Thanks. Masterpiece with no skippable songs is the best way to describe Painkiller. A top favorite album for me from my favorite bands and in metal in general.
I love BNW's first 4 songs.
Metal Meltdown's chorus riff is very Black Sabbath-esque. Thanks man.
Living Bad Dreams is very good musically and would fit the album great, but the way Rob sings the chorus is irritating to me.
1: Painkiller
2: Defenders of the Faith
3: Screaming for Vengeance
4: Firepower
5: British Steel
6: Stained Class
7: Sad Wings of Destiny
8: Angel of Retribution
9: Sin After Sin
10: Killing Machine
11: Turbo
12: Nostradamus
13: Redeemer of Souls
14: Ram It Down
15: Point of Entry
16: Jugulator
17: Demolition
18: Rocka Rolla
Defenders:
Highest Score: 18 (@Diesel 11)
Lowest Score: 11 (@MrKnickerbocker)
Painkiller:
Highest Score: 18 (@Kalata @The Dissident @KidInTheDark666 @Siddharth @DJMayes @Yax @MrKnickerbocker @The Mercenary)
Lowest Score: 16 (@Diesel 11 @Sth2112 )
The most surprising element of the final result is probably the high performance of Defenders of the Faith. I imagine most people expected Painkiller to finish first, but I wouldn't have predicted Defenders to come in even the top three. Both albums had very impressive showings. Obviously Painkiller had the most #1 placements by far, and not a single member placed it lower than #3, which is a pretty incredible consolidation of an otherwise scattered fanbase. Defenders had a similarly consistent performance. Not a lot of #1 rankings, but the vast majority of users placed the album somewhere in their top three.
Lets start with Defenders. In my opinion, this album is in the running for the best first side in Metal. The run from Freewheel Burning to The Sentinel is honestly at a level that I don't think Priest ever reached before or ever would again. It's a consolidation of everything the band had experimented with at this stage in their 10 year recording career. So much variety in these four songs. Freewheel Burning evokes the relentless speeds of songs like Exciter and Call For the Priest. Rock Hard Ride Free shouldn't work, but the huge undeniable hooks and intricate instrumental sections put the song on a level above its counterparts on albums like British Steel and Killing Machine. The Sentinel and Jawbreaker bring a drama and gravitas that was signature to Priest in the 70s, but now updated for the 80s. One thing that sticks out to me is just how incredible the guitar work is on these songs. I have mixed feelings on the duo of Tipton/Downing that I haven't really expressed much here. In short, I think they reached higher than the Maiden guys, but it doesn't always work. There are some really ambitious solos in the Priest catalog, but they are not always executed well. On Defenders not only are the solos executed well, but there is a lot of room for intricate guitar work. Songs with multiple solos, intense harmonies, and just great riffing all around. To me, this is the best guitar work in Priest (not counting Richie's recent contributions).
The album fools me into thinking it's Priest's best until we hit Side 2. I'm not sure I can think of another album that has such a dip in quality between two sides, but side 2 of Defenders of the Faith really feels like an afterthought and a bit of a hodgepodge. Love Bites is fine, but it also feels so out of place on the album. The mechanical poppy sound that hints toward Turbo just doesn't fit what we've heard so far. Eat Me Alive is also fine, but lacks the punch and uniqueness of the first four songs. It reminds me of the good but not always memorable uptempo rockers scattered throughout the 70s catalog (Running Wild, Invader, Deceiver, to name a few). I know people like Night Comes Down, but I don't find it that much more memorable than any other Priest ballad, maybe I just don't like their ballads much? Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith is just a bad Queen knockoff. The one bright spot is Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, which feels like a perfect followup to the previous album while also pushing things forward.
With such an uneven second side, I can't put the album at #1, but the first four songs (+a couple solid moments on the second side) are enough to put it at #3 for me. At the album's best, it's the best material Priest has put to tape IMO.
Which brings me to the album that most people consider to be the best material that Priest has put to tape. I've had a weird relationship with Painkiller over the years. For a very long time it was my top Priest album, but I have found that I go back to it increasingly less when I want to listen to Priest. After reflecting on my initial list and going through the albums in this fashion, I think I've landed on some reasons why. The thing that I think sets Painkiller apart from the other albums is that there's not "but" to it. Almost every Priest album has something working against it for some segment of the fanbase. Firepower is a great album but KK Downing isn't on it. Stained Glass is heavy, but the production holds it back. Screaming For Vengeance is a little too poppy at times. Painkiller has a musical vision and perfectly executes it. It's heavy, the production is modern and slick, the band finally has interesting drums again, and every single song fits the Metal vibe (no Love Bites or United type moments, but even the ballad A Touch Of Evil has a sinister feel that's true to the rest of the album).
I have to say though, I think Priest's tendencies toward trying different things and attempts at hit writing, while sometimes leading to their worst moments, also makes for albums with really interesting variety. I rated Screaming For Vengeance #1 and while I mostly lean into the heavier side of things, I also love songs like Take These Chains and the medium rocker Devil's Child. I think I miss that variety on Painkiller a little bit, and the album almost drifts into same-y territory. If you pull the sleek production back on a song like Leather Rebel, I don't know if you're getting anything that interesting. Similarly something like Metal Meltdown has an insane instrumental section, but the main riff and chorus are actually pretty ridiculous sounding. It's a devil's advocate position though, as the majority of the album is excellent. I placed it at #2, for reference.
Overall this game has been a really interesting run and definitely my favorite so far! I haven't had a comprehensive dive into Judas Priest's discography in years, so this was a lot of fun. I think in a roundabout way I've really come to appreciate the band more recently than I had, say, since Firepower came out. They certainly have a wildly uneven discography, but at their best they have a knack for incredible hooks and riffing, as well as creating a foundation for Halford to shine. I have come to appreciate their best work more, which is what you generally want out of something like this I think.
Thanks for following along everyone!
2: Defenders of the Faith
3: Screaming for Vengeance
4: Firepower
5: British Steel
6: Stained Class
7: Sad Wings of Destiny
8: Angel of Retribution
9: Sin After Sin
10: Killing Machine
11: Turbo
12: Nostradamus
13: Redeemer of Souls
14: Ram It Down
15: Point of Entry
16: Jugulator
17: Demolition
18: Rocka Rolla
Defenders:
Highest Score: 18 (@Diesel 11)
Lowest Score: 11 (@MrKnickerbocker)
Painkiller:
Highest Score: 18 (@Kalata @The Dissident @KidInTheDark666 @Siddharth @DJMayes @Yax @MrKnickerbocker @The Mercenary)
Lowest Score: 16 (@Diesel 11 @Sth2112 )
The most surprising element of the final result is probably the high performance of Defenders of the Faith. I imagine most people expected Painkiller to finish first, but I wouldn't have predicted Defenders to come in even the top three. Both albums had very impressive showings. Obviously Painkiller had the most #1 placements by far, and not a single member placed it lower than #3, which is a pretty incredible consolidation of an otherwise scattered fanbase. Defenders had a similarly consistent performance. Not a lot of #1 rankings, but the vast majority of users placed the album somewhere in their top three.
Lets start with Defenders. In my opinion, this album is in the running for the best first side in Metal. The run from Freewheel Burning to The Sentinel is honestly at a level that I don't think Priest ever reached before or ever would again. It's a consolidation of everything the band had experimented with at this stage in their 10 year recording career. So much variety in these four songs. Freewheel Burning evokes the relentless speeds of songs like Exciter and Call For the Priest. Rock Hard Ride Free shouldn't work, but the huge undeniable hooks and intricate instrumental sections put the song on a level above its counterparts on albums like British Steel and Killing Machine. The Sentinel and Jawbreaker bring a drama and gravitas that was signature to Priest in the 70s, but now updated for the 80s. One thing that sticks out to me is just how incredible the guitar work is on these songs. I have mixed feelings on the duo of Tipton/Downing that I haven't really expressed much here. In short, I think they reached higher than the Maiden guys, but it doesn't always work. There are some really ambitious solos in the Priest catalog, but they are not always executed well. On Defenders not only are the solos executed well, but there is a lot of room for intricate guitar work. Songs with multiple solos, intense harmonies, and just great riffing all around. To me, this is the best guitar work in Priest (not counting Richie's recent contributions).
The album fools me into thinking it's Priest's best until we hit Side 2. I'm not sure I can think of another album that has such a dip in quality between two sides, but side 2 of Defenders of the Faith really feels like an afterthought and a bit of a hodgepodge. Love Bites is fine, but it also feels so out of place on the album. The mechanical poppy sound that hints toward Turbo just doesn't fit what we've heard so far. Eat Me Alive is also fine, but lacks the punch and uniqueness of the first four songs. It reminds me of the good but not always memorable uptempo rockers scattered throughout the 70s catalog (Running Wild, Invader, Deceiver, to name a few). I know people like Night Comes Down, but I don't find it that much more memorable than any other Priest ballad, maybe I just don't like their ballads much? Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith is just a bad Queen knockoff. The one bright spot is Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, which feels like a perfect followup to the previous album while also pushing things forward.
With such an uneven second side, I can't put the album at #1, but the first four songs (+a couple solid moments on the second side) are enough to put it at #3 for me. At the album's best, it's the best material Priest has put to tape IMO.
Which brings me to the album that most people consider to be the best material that Priest has put to tape. I've had a weird relationship with Painkiller over the years. For a very long time it was my top Priest album, but I have found that I go back to it increasingly less when I want to listen to Priest. After reflecting on my initial list and going through the albums in this fashion, I think I've landed on some reasons why. The thing that I think sets Painkiller apart from the other albums is that there's not "but" to it. Almost every Priest album has something working against it for some segment of the fanbase. Firepower is a great album but KK Downing isn't on it. Stained Glass is heavy, but the production holds it back. Screaming For Vengeance is a little too poppy at times. Painkiller has a musical vision and perfectly executes it. It's heavy, the production is modern and slick, the band finally has interesting drums again, and every single song fits the Metal vibe (no Love Bites or United type moments, but even the ballad A Touch Of Evil has a sinister feel that's true to the rest of the album).
I have to say though, I think Priest's tendencies toward trying different things and attempts at hit writing, while sometimes leading to their worst moments, also makes for albums with really interesting variety. I rated Screaming For Vengeance #1 and while I mostly lean into the heavier side of things, I also love songs like Take These Chains and the medium rocker Devil's Child. I think I miss that variety on Painkiller a little bit, and the album almost drifts into same-y territory. If you pull the sleek production back on a song like Leather Rebel, I don't know if you're getting anything that interesting. Similarly something like Metal Meltdown has an insane instrumental section, but the main riff and chorus are actually pretty ridiculous sounding. It's a devil's advocate position though, as the majority of the album is excellent. I placed it at #2, for reference.
Overall this game has been a really interesting run and definitely my favorite so far! I haven't had a comprehensive dive into Judas Priest's discography in years, so this was a lot of fun. I think in a roundabout way I've really come to appreciate the band more recently than I had, say, since Firepower came out. They certainly have a wildly uneven discography, but at their best they have a knack for incredible hooks and riffing, as well as creating a foundation for Halford to shine. I have come to appreciate their best work more, which is what you generally want out of something like this I think.
Thanks for following along everyone!