To finally understand that Judas Priest kicks fucken ass

[Erik]

A monumental step, isn't it? Never really cared for them based on the sporadic listens I've had before, but I've downloaded a bunch of songs mainly off their 70's and early 80's stuff, and seeing beyond the occasionally FUCKEN WEAK production ("Sin After Sin") this fucken KILLS ME. That is all. Now congratulate me.

 

[JayKeeley]

Congratulations. Here's the thing about music appreciation: you can run, but you can't hide.

 

[Tranquillian]

Woot! Welcome to the world of the Priest. I've been a big fan since 92 or so.

My favourite 70s songs include
Run of the mill (awesome awesome awesome)
Dreamer deceiver (Skyclad made a fine cover of it)
Winter trilogy
Tyrant
Victim of changes (ahhhh, I remember singing along to this when I saw Priest, Glenn Tipton saw it and pointed at me)
Sinner
Starbreaker (I actually like the Arch Enemy cover a lot)
Beyond the realms of death
Saints in hell
The geen manalishi (with the two-pronged crown)

Edit: Now go buy, steal or borrow the Metalogy 4 cd+DVD box.

 

[MFJ]

I think it hit me when I first heard "All Guns Blazing"

 

[lurch70]

if you like thrash .... you should be able to appreciate PAINKILLER ...

 

[Demilich]

I've been listening to these guys a lot lately! Just got into them a few months ago.

Exciter and Victim of Changes are my favourites from the only 2 albums I've heard, "Staned Class" and "Sad Wings of Destiny"

 

[matt99_crew]

I love Priest up to and including Defenders of the Faith. The early albums are my favorite though. And I think Painkiller is monumentally overrated.

 

[Doom]

Just listen to Painkiller (the song). How fucken good is that. Priest are essential.

I am a leeetle bit drunk. :hotjump:

 

[matt99_crew]

That song is great, and there are a couple other good tracks. But overall, it pales when compared to their earlier stuff.

 

[NAD]

Still not into Priest, but I appreciate them either way.

 

[JayKeeley]

Painkiller, a 5 point synopsis:

1 - It was the last album with Halford. That inherently makes it historic.
2 - It came after a slightly dismal 80's (Priest were stronger in the 70's, and less mainstream).
3 - For Priest standards, it is heavy as fuck. Suddenly they were on the road with bands like Megadeth and Annihilator, and less interested in making the top 10.
4 - Riffs, riffs, solos, solos. All of a sudden, Tipton and Downing grabbed people's attention with their dynamic playing and solo exchanges.
5 - Great songs. Listen to any song from Painkiller, and it'll get stuck in your head for hours. It also proves that sometimes simplicity works -- just listen to "Hell Patrol". It is nigh impossible to listen to that song without cranking the volume.

 

[matt99_crew]

It's really just point 5 that I take any real issue with--and in the end it's the only one that matters. There are some great songs, but some fairly plain ones too. I never said it was a bad album, just that I think it is very overrated. I like it less than any of the albums up through Defenders.
Of course, the whole Turbo, Ram it Down stuff is totally unlistenable. To do anything even half way decent after that crap is a miracle.
I'm curious to hear what the new album will sound like. I think there's reason to be optimistic, if cautiously so.

 

[lurch70]

I think it is highly regarded because of #2 on JK's list ... it is such a brutal record and an amazing comeback. To call it overrated is not fair ...

 

[matt99_crew]

I hear what you guys are saying. I think judged on its own, it’s a fine album. The point that I’m trying to make (and sorry to belabor the point, but I don’t think I’ve really said it correctly) is that the reason that I think it is overrated is that I take some exception to Painkiller’s place in the annals of metal–It has a near-legendary status (Top 10,25, 50 whatever lists, perfect ratings in reviews, etc). This album seems to get more respect (certainly a lot more mention) than the classic work they did early in their career. Come on–Sad Wings, Stained Class, Screaming–all those albums decimate Painkiller. In some ways it’s like the whole Iron Maiden Brave New World thing. Back w/ Bruce, good songs, back to the heart of the band’s style, etc. All those things are true, and as an individual album, I think it’s just swell. But at the end of the day, I’d choose any album up through Seventh Son over that one.

 

[Nate The Great]

Painkiller was one of the first metal albums that had a huge impact on me.

 

[J.]

I appreciate what JP did, but can't appreciate the music. Granted, I haven't heard even a fraction of their output, but the small amount I've heard is just....well....gay.

"Breaking is the Law" is not good.

 

[matt99_crew]

Painkiller was one of the first metal albums that had a huge impact on me.

See, I think that has something to do with it. By the time that came out I'd been listening to them for like 10 years. That sounds like a superior kind of attitude, but its not meant that way. I'm simply older. But I really believe that the good stuff that comes out during your "metal formative years" has a major impact on your taste (thus, the formative part ). The stuff that you start with, be it a band, style, etc. often holds a special place among your tastes. For me, that was a different time.

 

[Papa Josh]

Painkiller is every bit deserving of the credit it gets. On the same plateau as Sad Wings Of Destiny or Screaming For Vengeance. And while Ram It Down and Turbo aren't that good, there were a few songs that were. Out In The Cold and Turbo Lover come to mind, the latter still being in their live set.

Glad I had a friend that used to work for Sony. He gave me the entire JP remasters set.

 

[Papa Josh]

I appreciate what JP did, but can't appreciate the music. Granted, I haven't heard even a fraction of their output

Disqualified.

 

[matt99_crew]

Painkiller is every bit deserving of the credit it gets. On the same plateau as Sad Wings Of Destiny or Screaming For Vengeance.

Alright, *puts up cyber-dukes* them's fightin words

Oh well, I guess at the end of the day the most important thing that almost all of us agree on is how much ass Priest kicks. Anything else is secondary. Looking forward to the new album and checking out a show.