Judas Priest - Killing Machine (1978)

Even if it was released in the same year as its predecessor "Stained Class", "Killing Machine" (also known as "Hell Bent For Leather" in the states) shows a evolution that took them more towards the more accessible sound, with simpler structures and catchier choruses. So yeah, this is a album where we will not find a new "Victim of Change" or "Behind The Realms of Death".

But does this more accessible sound mean that the band has started selling out? I do not think so, because "Killing Machine" is just as heavy and dark as its predecessors, maybe even heavier. Not only does Rob Halford go wild with tons of different vocal styles, but both Tipton and Downing impresses with their diversity, showing both heavy and blues riff, and even including some tapping into the album. So despite being a simpler album, it still has some nice complexity in it.

It was also around this time where the band started to adapt their now patented style of leather clothing to the band's image, and that image was also reflected in the music. The music in here just feels much more macho and straight forward here, which does fit well with the band's new personality, and to the now classic Harley Davidson entry by Rob Halford.

However, the change is not all for the good. I feel like "Killing Machine" does lack something special to take it to the next level. It is good, just not brilliant, and even if there is diversity in the album, I feel like there is not enough of it. Also, the song quality is a bit underwhelming. It is overall fairly good, with no song that I fully dislike, but except from the classic "Hell Bent For Leather" (which is a little too short for me), there is no other track that I love.

There are however small details that I find very enjoyable in some of the songs. I appreciate the ambition to create a sort of sing along anthem in "Take On The World", and the straight forward "Delivering The Goods" and "Rock Forever" does have their charm. Then we have some cool riffing in "Running Wild" (even if the beginning sounds a lot like Iron Maiden's "The Wicker Man", a song that was conceived over 20 years later), and "Before The Dawn" is a nice and dark little ballad. So even if this feels like a middle of the road album, it still have some nice things in it.

"Killing Machine" is far from a killer album. With a bigger simplicity and a more accessible sound, it feels like the band is in a middle of a evolution phase. Personally, I think this album may have been a little rushed, being released only 8 months after "Stained Class", but you can't blame the band since they were on fire during this time, expanding in a rapid speed. Oh well, "Killing Machine" is still a enjoyable album that should keep fans entertained for some time. The band still delivers the goods, just not as good as the previous ones.

Songs worthy of recognition:

Rating: 7/10 Evening Stars

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More reviews of Judas Priest
Rocka Rolla
Sad Wings of Destiny
Sin After Sin
Stained Class
British Steel
Point of Entry
Screaming For Vengeance
Defenders of The Faith
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Ram It Down
Painkiller
Jugulator
Demolition
Angel of Retribution
Nostradamus
Redeemer of Souls

Firepower

Judas Priest - Stained Class (1978)

During the time that I have got to know the 4th Judas Priest album, known as "Stained Class", I have become mightily confused over it. In one way, it is their heaviest and darkest album up to date, taking on grim subjects in the lyrical department, but it still felt like they had one foot in that sort of disco groove. I could be wrong there since I am more of a custom to the 80's version of the band (which we have not reached just yet in this discography review series), but there is no denying that Judas Priest was far groovier in their earlier days.

Oh well, "Stained Class" was a very notable album in their career for several reasons, one being that it was the first Judas Priest album to reach success across the pond. The album reached the Billboard 200 chart in USA and was also certified gold status. Another notable thing with this album is that it had song writing contribution from all five members, even the new drummer Les Binks. Yay team work!

The team work is greatly displayed as well in the performance. The bond between the guitarists Tipton and Downing keeps on getting stronger, delivering some amazing solos and riffs here. But it was at this point where Tipton started to emerge as the leader of the two, taking care of most of the solo parts, except on "Savage", "Heroes End", and solo 2 in "Beyond The Realms of Death".

Looking at the quality of the songs in this album, this is certainly one of the more even Priest albums so far, because even if this album is pretty diverse in its sound, all the songs still have a common denominator that makes perfect sense to why they are put together. For example, the opening track "Exciter" may be a fast and crazy steam roller, but it still falls in the same groovy category as the rest of the tracks does. It is just another proof that Judas Priest was ahead of its time, pulling out another thrash song before thrash existed.

The heavy attitude continues in the title track, that chugs along with in classic "Barracuda" style in the verse, just to burst into a simple, but really classy chorus that will make your hair rise. Another speedy track is "White Heat, Red Hot" that is driven by a smooth groove and some frenetic drumming and riffing. But my favourite song here is without a doubt "Beyond The Realms of Death", a strong song about the wish to leave the world behind and die in peace. Not only is this song driven by its heavy lyrics, but also its emotional musicality that strikes every nerve in your system. And like that was not enough, Tipton and Downing delivers a couple of awesome solos to enhance the experience even further. A extremely amazing song that certainly show the band's range.

Then we have the duo "Invader" and "Saints In Hell", two songs are fairly decent, but in some way, also kind of corny. There is something with these songs that I cannot point my finger towards that feels awkward. It is a shame since this hiccup hinders the album from staying fully classy. Besides those two songs, I can't really find anything that annoys me with this album, except the fact that it can be a confusing experience from time to time.

"Stained Class" has the perfect title, it is a classy album that feels polished in so many ways and it certainly stands out from the crowd. However, it does still have some stains that takes away from the complete picture, fortunately for us, those stains are just a small part of the album and can easily be ignored. This is a album that both celebrates the time during which it was conceived, but also looks forward to the future of not only the band itself, but music in general. As shining as chrome, as heavy as steel.

Songs worthy of recognition: Beyond The Realms of Death, Exciter, Stained Class

Rating: 8/10 Savages

www.judaspriest.com/
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More reviews of Judas Priest
Rocka Rolla
Sad Wings of Destiny
Sin After Sin
Killing Machine
British Steel
Point of Entry
Screaming For Vengeance
Defenders of The Faith
Turbo
Ram It Down
Painkiller
Jugulator
Demolition
Angel of Retribution
Nostradamus
Redeemer of Souls

Firepower

Black Sabbath - Never Say Die! (1978)

"Never Say Die!" is the title of Black Sabbath's 8th album, which is kinda ironic since this album marked the end for the original line-up since Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne left the band the following year. Well, you could see the end coming pretty easily since Ozzy left the band during a short period between this album and "Technical Ecstasy", but also because of the heavy abuse of alcohol and drugs in the band. But the band gathered some final strength together to create one of the most criticized albums in the band's discography.

Despite the negativity that surrounds the album, it starts off quite fine actually. The title track gets the blood pumping with its simple, yet effective, groove and catchy chorus, while the following song, "Johnny Blade" keeps it going with a fast drum beat and some interesting lyrics. "Johnny Blade" is probably one of the few songs in the latest couple of Sabbath albums that has big resemblances from the earlier records. I also kinda like the groovy "Junior's Eyes", even though it is on the edge of being to light of a song.

The rest however, is a complete train wreck. The remaining 6 songs on "Never Say Die!" is a definite sign of the band's problems. Most of the songs have very little flow to them and it just feels like they were patched up together here and there in under a minute. The whole performance feels contrived and rushed, which ends up in a horrible album with no sense of direction.

There are some really weird decisions through out this album. Like why they made "A Hard Road" so sluggish, or why the keyboard takes over too much in "Over To You", or why they included the horrible big band sound in the instrumental "Breakout". There are bad decisions everywhere in this album, but one of the worst decisions must be the closer of the album, "Swinging The Chain". It is not a horrible song because of the fact that Bill Ward takes the lead here, but because of the horrific harmonica. I don't know who played it, but he should get a slap in the face. Without it (and that scream in the middle of the song), "Swinging The Chain" would be pretty decent, but now it just sits there at the end of "Never Say Die!", being as useless as a appendicitis.

The Ozzy era of Black Sabbath could not have a worse ending than this. "Never Say Die!" is a horrible album that probably every Sabbath fan hate, and I can understand them. Too much keyboard, harmonica and trumpets, and not enough of the band itself. I don't want to count it in as a Black Sabbath album since it doesn't sound like them, but it is, and all I can do about it is to face palm.

Songs worthy of recognition: Johnny Blade, Never Say Die

Rating: 3/10 Shock Waves