Judas Priest Album: “Defenders of the Faith”

Heavy Metal music doesn't get any heavier than this, or better. I have been a fan of this album ever since it's release back in 1984 and it is without a doubt my top favorite Judas Priest album of all time. Upon my first listen to it I was amazed and enthralled by it's high octane and infectious energy. I had never heard anything more powerful come through my speakers at the time, and even upon listening to it today, it is still just as powerful and exciting as it ever was. I am such a huge fan of this album that I even have the poster of the image of the Metallion from the album's front cover hanging on a wall at home. I've read some other reviewers complaints concerning the cheesy lyrics on some of the songs and all I can say about that is, well, that's all part of the fun of it all.

Judas Priest's prior album to this one, Screaming for Vengeance, is a definite masterpiece recording, and Defenders of the Faith continues in that tradition and then some by delivering even more addictive power metal songs and anthems than seems humanly possible. Just sit back and pop this disk in your player and feel the music pummel you into a pulsating pulp with awesome tracks like Freewheel Burning, Jawbreaker, The Sentinel, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, and Heavy Duty.

By this time in their careers, the mighty team of Glen Tipton, K.K. Downing, Ian Hill, Dave Holland, and Rob Halford, were like a well-oiled precision Metallion music machine and were really at a creative high point during the mid Eighties, and it definitely shows on this album. But to be honest, Judas Priest have hit many high points throughout their career and continue to do some very excellent and amazing music to this very day. In fact, I consider their reunion album Angel of Retribution to be just as good as anything else that they have ever done, but, I digress and shall save that review for another day.

Defenders of the Faith is a definite must-have album in any Hard Rock/Heavy Metal fan's collection and will go down in history as one of the best, if not THE best Heavy Metal album ever recorded, cheesy lyrics and all. "We'll rise inside ya til' the power splits your head. We're gonna Rock you til' your metal hunger's fed. We're Heavy Duty!"

Standout Tracks are: ALL OF THEM.

Judas Priest's Defenders Of The Faith record is, simply put, astounding. It has all sorts of redeeming qualities. For instance: the riffing is superb, as are the bass lines. Halford's vocals are amazing, as usual. Drumming is great too. It's actually got several tracks with a great influence of thrash/speed metal. Let's break down the tracks one by one.

1. Freewheel Burning: A great opener, it kicks you right in the face, which is how a lot of the best metal records open up. Solo is insane!

2. Jawbreaker: Another fast one, bass line is amazing! I like how they make the sound effect of a time bomb with the hi-hat.

3. Rock Hard, Ride Free: A bit of a slower number, but still crunchy, with a great hook.

4. The Sentinel: A slow intro leads into another frantic speed metal tune. Solos are definetely at their best here.

5. Love Bites: Once more, a great mid-tempo rocker. Kind of an eerie little intro. Listen for Rob's little death growl near the end!

6. Eat Me Alive: Another frantic speed metal tune. Very heavy, but the solo is nothing special.

7. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll: Another slower one, but it's got such a great intro, who cares about the tempo?

8. Night Comes Down: Almost like a ballad. Probably my personal least favorite. A bit too slow.

9. Heavy Duty: This is one half of a whole song, and it's got the great fist pumping atmosphere of such songs as the Saxon classic "Denim And Leather" or the Manowar classic "Blow Your Speakers."

10. Defenders Of The Faith: The second half, continuing with the fist pumping atmosphere, but the lyrics are just repetitive crys of "We are defenders of the faith!" Oh well, at least they defend the metal faith, which is good!

I hope you have been convinced to buy this unbelievable album. Also, if you went to this years Ozzfest like me, you got a chance to see them on their first big tour since Halford re-joined! They still can rock after 30 years!

I could never understand the fuss around "Screaming for Vengeance", this album's predecessor. Surely, it's Judas Priest biggest selling album, and all. But it was so poppy sounding, and had almost no punch at all! Imagine my relief when I heard "Defenders of the Faith" for the 1st time. My Judas Priest, the band that I loved for their hellish energetics, piercing vocals, and relentless riffing attack, was back!

Even now "Defenders" stands strong against any competition, and is doubtlessly one of the best JP albums ever, on par with the groundbreaking "Stained Class" and Rob Halford's goodbye "Painkiller". The band threw away any poppy influence it might had and put out 40+ minutes of heavy metal classics. Right from the start, "Freewheel Burning" and "Jawbreaker" epitomize everything that is great about this music, running at breakneck speed with energy enough to rival an atomic explosion. And the incredible, arguably best JP song ever, "The Sentinel" adds up to the impression. Judas Priest throw in much variety, and alongside the speedy tracks there are a mid-tempo heavy metal anthem "Rock Hard, Ride Free", unexpectedly slow "Love Bites" and "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll", a return to JP's 70s trademark metal-ballad style "When the Night Comes Down", a stadion-stomper medley "Heavy Duty"/"Defenders of the Faith", and a faster "Eat Me Alive" with some dual-faced lyrics, considering Halford's declared homosexuality.

There's no need to mention that throughout the album K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton once again prove themselves as one of the best guitar duo in metal history, Rob Halford's vocals are in top-form, and the rhythm-section does its job remarkably well with some powerful drumming by Dave Holland.

I won't exaggerate much by saying that "Defenders of the Faith" is a mandatory album for any serious heavy metal fan. I'd advise to buy the new remastered edition, because its sound quality is better, and it features a couple of nice bonus-tracks/

I think this is best Priest album ever and even more, best metal album ever made. New track is bad, but originally tracks are fine. BRUTAL, RAW and MELODIC same time. Such good ideas, playing and Rob`s voice.

I have 2000 records and i have listened music 25 years and still I keep "defenders..." one of the greatest master pieces of human kind. Every song is worth of listening. BUY IT! We in Finland know what is best :)

This album defines 1980s British Heavy Metal. There isn't a weak song in sight. Glenn and K.K.'s guitar work is super-tight throughout, especially their solos, which are mindblowing in both precision and power. Check out 'Love Bites' and 'Freewheel Burning' to see what I mean. The rhythm section is sound. As for vocals, there's not really a lot you can say...except that Rob Halford is the one and only Metal God.

Every metal fan should own this album. If you don't have a copy, then buy it now!

Buy it.

Play it loud.

Repeat.