Defenders Of The Faith is as good as Painkiller I think, but Screaming For Vengeance isn't.
I think Defenders and Painkiller are about equal to claim the crown of best Priest album. Painkiller tops in musicianship, production and intensity... but Defenders has cooler songs and riffs in my opinion, and an awesome vibe about it.
And Turbo and Ram It Down are my next 2 favourite Priest albums, just ahead of British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance
I can't really judge on it right now. No one thought they'd pass British Steel, but they did with Screaming For Vengence and again with Defenders Of The Faith. Then they proved to us once more that they can still top themselves with Painkiller. Let's face itriest rule, and they've showed us time and again that they can top themselves, so i won't say yes or no, but i will say it's possible. Either way, this should be a good album.