Neither group makes me want to go out and buy its albums. As a fan of classic rock, and Black Sabbath, I never really understood how either of them were supposed to have followed in Sabbath's footsteps. They both sound much too European (to my American ears) and much too "metal" in the cheesy, fantasy-laden, overly white, playing-Dungeons-and-Dragons-in-Mom's-basement way. I suppose I just need to listen to them enough to fully appreciate their music. I respect the bass playing in Iron Maiden, though, from what I haver heard (only the popular stuff), I enjoy Judas Priest more. I would like to thoroughly experience both bands before passing final judgment on them, so could someone please recommend an album from each band that may enlighten me? I know Mikael loves "Sad Wings of Destiny" and I believe I heard a ballad from that one (didn't a kid commit suicide because of it?) that sounded quite beautiful.