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REVIEW 'Rocka Rolla' is not a great album. Recently, Priest apologists, in view of the band's undoubted greatness from 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' onwards, have attempted to refabricate the historical impact of their 1974 debut. Don't be fooled. 'Rocka Rolla' is a record that, without 'Sad Wings' and subsequent events, may well have been destined for the files of obscure and mildly interesting 70s curios.
The band is not really at fault here as a number of factors were weighted against them. Although they had already by this juncture honed a degree of malevolence their name implies on the UK club circuit, much of this mystique was stripped away. For a reason never adequately explained, belated classics such as 'Victim Of Changes', 'Tyrant', 'Ripper' and 'Genocide' were denied inclusion. They would, of course, find their rightful inclusion on 'Sad Wings' but when these songs were available and road tested who on earth opted to go for rather leaden workouts such as Pub Rocker 'One For The Road', the lumbering 'Dying To Meet You' and pedestrian 'Run Of The Mill' in their stead?
Another anomaly is 'Caviar And Meths'. Priest had been using this track as their live tour de force, an epic workout that would often morph into extended jam workouts. Here it is neutered, hung, drawn and (quite literally) quartered to become a shadow of its glorious self. A shame Priest appear to have no inclination to issue the live version of 'Caviar' because it really does kill.
The overall sound of this album is, by today's standards, exceptionally weak. Yes the recording was rushed but that never gave Sabbath any problems. The guitars are polite background pussycats rather than in your face predators expected of Downing and Tipton. Perversely Ian Hill, so often aurally neglected on the bulk of the band's catalogue, is given free rein to shine here simply because there is so much vacuum to fill. It is only really Rob Halford that escapes the weak production. His vocals simply soar, only being marred by some rather clumsy studio vocal FX. Numerous attempts were made at re-hashing and re-mastering the album as Priest's star ascended but truthfully the raw materials will always scupper any real hopes of finding some long, lost heaviness here.
The title track canters along at a brisk pace and is almost happy in its disposition. Obviously Gull Records thought enough of its potential at the time for it to influence the entire artistic thrust of the record. Odd to hear Rob waxing lyrical about the fairer sex too.
Best track is obviously 'Never Satisfied', a song many Priest devotees would wish to see a further concert airing. Thankfully this song at least manages to summon up some muscle despite everything. This, alongside the short and sharp viciousness of 'Cheater', would easily nestle in comfortably on 'Sin After Sin' or 'Stained Class'. Overall though 'Rocka Rolla' is not high on major riff content. Again, bizarre when you ponder on just what material they had waiting in the wings.
Naturally 'Rocka Rolla' is a must have for Priest completists. Just don't go expecting anything of the magnitude of later works. Remember, KK was still wearing floppy hats in 1974