Damn, this is a hard one for me. Priest was really my first metal love affair way back in the early 80s. I’d have to go with British Steel. What a great record, so many terrific songs. United is such a great rock anthem, Metal Gods, Grinder, The Rage, and every time I listen to Steeler, I have to just crank it to 11 when they go into that outro that just builds and builds. To this day I still get those goosebumps at the end of that song. That sensation is exactly what makes hard rock and heavy metal such a passion for all of us. It has some weird effect on my brain chemistry.
Rich, I agree with you about the song “Steeler”. It’s my favorite song off the “British Steel” album, which is probably my second favorite Judas Priest album (“Screaming…” and “Hell Bent…” are also considerations for “second fave”, depending on mood). While I think “British Steel” is a great album, albeit its commercial aspects, I can’t help but wonder how immensely better, and more “heavy metal”, it could have been had Les Binks, rather than Dave Holland, been the drummer on the album.
Coin flip between British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance. Given an absolute decision, production and sound quality on British Steel just explodes through the speakers. Screaming For Vengeance is a little muddy.
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Damn, this is a hard one for me. Priest was really my first metal love affair way back in the early 80s. I’d have to go with British Steel. What a great record, so many terrific songs. United is such a great rock anthem, Metal Gods, Grinder, The Rage, and every time I listen to Steeler, I have to just crank it to 11 when they go into that outro that just builds and builds. To this day I still get those goosebumps at the end of that song. That sensation is exactly what makes hard rock and heavy metal such a passion for all of us. It has some weird effect on my brain chemistry.
Rich, I agree with you about the song “Steeler”. It’s my favorite song off the “British Steel” album, which is probably my second favorite Judas Priest album (“Screaming…” and “Hell Bent…” are also considerations for “second fave”, depending on mood). While I think “British Steel” is a great album, albeit its commercial aspects, I can’t help but wonder how immensely better, and more “heavy metal”, it could have been had Les Binks, rather than Dave Holland, been the drummer on the album.
Coin flip between British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance. Given an absolute decision, production and sound quality on British Steel just explodes through the speakers. Screaming For Vengeance is a little muddy.
1. British Steel
2. Point of Entry
3. Screaming for Vengeance
4. Defenders of the Faith
5. Painkiller
Screaming For Vengeance. Kills from beginning to end.
“Stained Class” is the album that got me into Priest. They’re one of my top 5 favorite bands, and I’ve been a fan ever since.