Judas Priest Album: “Stained Class [Remaster]”

The title of this review might sound a bit much, but let me explain my theory. In my view, heavy metal is a distinct creature from hard rock. Prior to this album, there were plenty of hard rock bands playing and producing excellent, timeless music, including Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Zepplin, Motorhead, etc. The above bands played very heavy music, but I have to stop short of calling it "metal" as we know it. The elements of the blues were still very much in evidence in these bands albums, and in my opinion it is the elimination of the blues sound that gave birth to metal. This is not to say that all hard rock bands are equal, nor do I mean to equate Foreigner with Deep Purple. It is the delivery and subject matter that has always distinguished a groundbreaking band (Black Sabbath) and a record company darling like Aerosmith.

Of course, I do not mean to rip on the predecessors of Priest; far from it. I completely worship Black Sabbath, I think they are the greatest band of all time. But the signifigance of Stained Class lies in the straight ahead, classically influenced style of the band, using choppy power chords almost exclusively combined with vocals which make a strong effort to be operatic (however, instead of opera, what came out of Halford was a unique and disturbing vocal style. Halford gives the most unique performance of his career here, I've never heard anything quite like his vocals on this album). The blues sound that they experimented with previously is completely absent, and gives rise to something altogether new - heavy metal!

Stained Class is difficult to describe, and can be difficult to get into because it is actually a very strange album. I have listened to it hundreds of times and I still hear it in a different way every time. This is a misunderstood masterpiece in the best possible way. Judas Priest ushered in a new style of music that has endured ever since.

To metalheads, this album is a CLASSIC! There was absolutely nothing like this when it came out. Even though the band's last two albums were heavy for their time, this album kicked the heaviness up a notch. Several notches in fact! Exciter is a metal classic, and a perfect opener. Rob wails like there is no tomorrow and the solos on here rule. Gotta love the double bass that Les Binks throws in here. This is old school speed metal, no kidding! White Heat Red Hot slows things down, but still stays heavy. This track is pretty darn catchy, I love Rob's vocals on here. Better by You Better Than Me is another catchy tune, but it is a cover of a Spooky Tooth song. I love the guitar on here, sounds like classic rock rather than heavy metal but it still rocks! Savage starts off with some high yells by Rob and this song just smokes, the chorus is definitely a highlight. How the heck can a man reach those notes? Heavy riffs on here too! Invader starts off with some cool guitar effects (sounds like a UFO landing) and goes into a kick ass song with a darn catchy chorus, I know you will sing this one to yourselves! Even the guitar solo is catchy!

Saints in Hell is a HEAVY song. The riffs on here are so heavy, I mean they practically beat you upside the head. I LOVE it when Rob shrieks "Wake the dead, the saints are in hell!" You know you love that! Heroes End has some killer riff-work, and just flat out rocks. Stained Class has that famous galloping riff we all know and love and some of the notes Rob hits here are amazing! The guitar solo on here is very melodic, and I love it when, towards the end, the song gets heavier. Back then, those were probably some of the heaviest riffs ever heard!

Beyond the Realms of Death is a f*cking masterpiece. The acoustic work is beautiful, and when the song picks up and Rob begins his yelling, your mind will be blown I guarantee it! No one can convey the emotion that Rob does during the slow parts! Glenn's solo is breathtakingly emotional, while K.K.'s is fast paced and crushing. It all ends with Rob's brilliant shriek of "BEYOND THE REALMS OF DEATH". Very nice. The bonus tracks include a cool live version of Better by You Better Than Me and Fire Burns Below. It has nice keyboard playing and is very experimental. Too bad it wasn't released earlier (I hear it was meant for Turbo or Ram it Down, I can't remember). I am sorry but you NEED to have this album if you want to be a metalhead, this pushed metal LIGHT YEARS beyond what it was at the time. No one else played these heavy riffs at all. So buy this album and enjoy what these guys gave us!

I first heard Stained Class on 8-track about 25 yrs ago and since then it is engrained into my soul. Stained class has a classic heavy metal sound that is like no other and it fits perfectly.

The guitar work by Glen Tipton and KK Downing is Masterful and the guitar sound is different from any other guitar sound from any other Priest album. It's awsome! The only way I can describe the sound is, "Classic".

I Remember years ago Guitar Center had a radio add and during the add in the background was a guitar solo from one the songs from this album. Rob halford's vocals are impeccable and engaging!

For those who have not heard this album and are considering buying it, If you like high energy heavy metal with great guitars and superior vocals; you've got a winner in Stained Class! Most of the songs aren't the type that jump out and give you that top 40 hit feeling, but they stand on their own!

If you're the type listener that likes to go a little deeper then your in for a treat! This work will inspire you the more you listen to it. No Other Sound Like It! One of my favorite Priest Albums!

This album is so great! It is hands down, the heaviest album from Priest's 70's era, and is also bar none, one of their finest moments.

The album opens with a rampaging blast of sonic fury, in the form of "Exciter". This song is one of the reasons why Priest is often cited as a key ingredient in the creation of thrash. Drummer Les Binks shows off his double bass drum and his nice sense of rhythm, while Rob wails and screams like something out of hell. Tipton and Downing show off their supierior riffing and dual harmonies in this song as well. One of my faves off the album.

"White Heat, Red Hot" starts off rather mid-paced and then speeds up in places. The end of the song has a great rhythm!

"Better By You, Better Than Me" is the infamous track off the album. ...

The title track to Stained Class is killer! Not as fast as "Exciter", but still has a speedy pace to it. Great lyrics, nice riffing, good solos, this is one of the highlights.

"Invader" is another somewhat mid-paced number, and it's awfully catchy! Good song.

"Saints In Hell" is a dirty, raw, dark and heavy song, that's stays at a slow pace for most of the song, then speeds up towards the end. ...

"Savage" is One of my favorites off the album. This song sort of reminds me of the song "Dissident Aggressor" from Priest's "Sin After Sin" album, for some reason. It's a slow paced song stuffed with meaty riffage, steady drumming, great vocals (duh!) and a good melody throughout, especially towards the end.

"Beyond The Realms Of Death" is the closest thing to a ballad on this album, though it is pretty rocking. It starts off sounding sort of like a ballad, then unleases a burst of energy, back to the balladry, burst of energy, back to ballad, finally,back to rocker and never looks back. Awesome melodies, great lyrics, GREAT performance by Rob, this is just a classic.

"Heroes End" has Kick ... Sabbath-like melody in this song! This is yet another song about death, this time addressing the subject of how celebrities seem to gain god-like fame after death that they would never gain living. A fine end to a fine album.

This album rips, plain and simple. This is metal in it's purest form, and it's stuffed silly with riffs, wails and good drumming. This is a metal album for metal fans...if you are into traditioanal metal or even thrash, this is a must have. Pure classic.

Stained Class is in many ways a groundbreaking album.It introduced in my opinion the beginning of speed/thrash(Exciter).Rob Halford's vocals are almost unbelievable,I've yet to hear anything that compares.The guitar soloing is 3 levels above anything else at that time.Thirty years later it still stands out as a phenomenal metal showcase of vocals and guitar .This might be the most influential metal album of all time!!P.S.The guitar solo on "Beyond the Realms of Death" is considered by many the best metal solo of all time.