Judas Priest Album: “Ram It Down”

After the release of "Turbo", an album I (and many others) dug but which left a lot of Priest fans scratching their heads, the question was whether or not the band was going to go in a poppier direction. Happily they did no such thing and came back with "Ram it Down", a crushing metallic onslaught that marked the return of the classic Judas Priest sound along with some new tricks.

Make no mistake, these songs are the heaviest Priest had written up to that time, although the song lyrics are more down and dirty ala Kix or Faster Pussycat as was the scene in '88, and some of Rob Halford's customary forays into fantasy/literary themes are absent here. Still, songs like "Hard As Iron", "I'm A Rocker", "Heavy Metal", and the title track are shining headbangers. You also have the most bizarre version of "Johnny B. Goode" you're likely to hear. The title track also has the distinction of containing what many Priest fans regard as perhaps the greatest extended guitar solo duel in metal (and Priest's) history and marked Glenn Tipton's and K.K. Downing's evolution into the cutting edge of guitar-playing.

The remastered sound is really crisp here and the guitars sound great, although no amount of studio tweaking could do away with the synths and Dave Holland's lame electronic drums (what were you guys thinking?). Unfortunately, the only bonus tracks are two filler live songs, but this album is worth owning for the title track alone.

Be amazed, be very amazed.

Originally, 'Turbo' (1986) was to be released as a double record, featuring songs that are included on this record, released two years later. (For unreleased tunes from this period, listen to "Red, White & Blue" (from the 'British Steel' reissue) and "Prisoner of Your Eyes" (from the 'Screaming for Vengeance' reissue).) This would have made for a more traditional Judas Priest record overall, but as it was planned, the pop-oriented tunes on the former were panned by the rock press and the edgier tunes on this latter release were lost in the backlash.

"Ram It Down", "Heavy Metal", and "Monsters of Rock" are just as heavy any of the sounds on 'Painkiller' (1990) in that regard. "Blood Red Skies" combines the traditional two-guitar attack and post-apacolyptic lyrical landscape with a synthesizer to good effect. Even the radio-song, "I'm a Rocker", and the tongue-in-cheek rendition of "Johnny B. Goode", are appreciated.

The downside of 'Ram It Down' is the sound. By that time, it seems that Tom Allom, the long-time producer who began his tenure by spicing up the classic 'Unleashed in the East' (1979), hit an all-time low with this swan song.

BONUS TRACKS: As with the previous reissues, we have two live songs that has nothing to do with this particular record or the era it was recorded in, "Night Comes Down" (from the same 1984 show as "Jawbreaker" from the 'Sin After Sin' reissue, "Grinder" from the 'British Steel' reissue, and "Heavy Duty" from the 'Defenders of the Faith' reissue) and "Bloodstone" (from the same 1982 show as "Devil's Child" from the 'Screaming for Vengeance' reissue, "Screaming for Vengeance" from the 'Priest Live' reissue, and "Riding on the Wind" from the 'Hell Bent for Leather' reissue).

Their previous album Turbo experimented with a more "pop" sound, but it was still heavy in some parts. With Ram it Down, the band makes a shift to a much more heavier sound. At the time, this was their heaviest album (until Painkiller came out two years later). There are still a few 80s touches, such as that electronic drum sound, and the guitars have that sort of "processed" feel. But overall, the album is pretty good. Ram it Down starts off the album with a shriek from Rob. Couldn't think of a better intro myself! This song is HEAVY, almost unlike anything they had come out with before. The guitar solos on this song are simply jaw-dropping. Love Zone is a catchy song that sounds like a glam metal song for some reason. But don't get me wrong, it still rocks! It's very heavy on that "processed guitar" sound I mentioned earlier. Hard as Iron is another heavy and fast song that just kicks you in the face. Even more awesome solos on this one. I'm a Rocker has an awesome message and is very melodic.

Johnny B. Goode seems to be a song that people love or hate. I happen to love it. They took a classic rock song and turned it into a full blown metal song successfully. I love the way Rob sings it, I think more people should give this song a chance! Come and Get It and Love You to Death are catchy songs, but they don't stand out as much as the others. Monsters of Rock is a nice slower-paced track that took some time to grow on me. Heavy Metal is a theme song for metalheads everywhere. It starts off with an AMAZING solo, and when the song kicks in, you automatically begin to rock out. Rob sings in a high tone practically throughout the whole song.

From what I heard, some of the songs off of this album where meant to be released as a double album called Twin Turbos, combining the material from Turbo with this album. Blood Red Skies sort of reminds me of Turbo, with its synths being played throughout the song. It is sort of an epic power ballad, with Rob hitting some HIGH notes. And the solos are amazing as always. You also get some nice live versions of Night Comes Down and Bloodstone. People seem to be divided over this album, I think it is awesome. Maybe not one of their better albums overall, but still one worth trying out!

This has to be one of the most underrated heavy metal album of the 80s. JP, unlike other bands, capitalised on the advancements in the sound technology available in the late 80s and used it to their advantage. The speed and technical proficiency in this album rips to shreds any prior offering, including Screaming for Vengence, Bristish Steel and Defender of the Faith (all fine albums in their own right). I put it down to the fact that JPs popularity peeked during that period which is why all the original JP fans prefer those albums. Anyway this album definitely rocks!

RAM IT DOWN - Excellent opening track, and speed opus with an extended twin attack solo that RIPS

HEAVY METAL - For me this track captures the power of metal in this late 80s era, whilst paying due respect to the quality of the past by including the classic JP sound

LOVE ZONE - One of the weaker tracks, this one's more like a filler to cools things down after the first 2 classic tracks

COME AND GET IT - A medium paced thumper, with a catchy chorus

HARD AS IRON - They pick up the pace again here, with a blistering riff and absolutely soaring vocals from Mr Halford

BLOOD RED SKIES - Excellent track, this has to be one of the best slow tracks JP have ever played; its not quite a ballad, its more a slow rocker, the same vein as "The thing that should not be" by Metallica

I'M A ROCKER - Filler, not very effective at all

JOHNNY B GOODE - Absolutely rockin' cover, this is a fast, upbeat version that makes you happy that you're a rock fan

LOVE YOU TO DEATH - A song that grew on me, once again Halford kicks ass with the vocals. Clever lyrics.

MONSTERS OF ROCK - A nice one to finish on, menancing lyrics and riffs, perhaps a little too slow

Overall the songs on this album really complement each other and the end result is an album that has an addictive feel to it - if you don't own this album and intend to call yourself Hard rock/metal fan then get it - its an underrated metal opus.

After nearly a year for this remaster to grow on me, I hail it as a masterpiece. From the opening screms of the title track, the album never lets up. Heavy Metal is a classic. Hard as Iron is the best track on the album next to the title track, with the lyrics of victory recalling Freewheel Burning. The opening notes of Blood Ride Skies recall The Hellion, and features excellent vocals at the intro. Love You to Death is one of the best heavy Priest love songs. The ominous closer, Monsters of Rock, recalls Heavy Duty. If you love metal sprinkled with cheese, you can't go wrong here. A vintage slab of 80s metal not to be missed.