Judas Priest Album: “Painkiller”

I was very disappointed in this album when it first came out, but I think that was only because I was still in college in my party mode, listening to all the chick-metal bands like Poison, Warrant, etc. Priest had remained one of my favorites, but I suppose I was looking for them to bust out and become a really big name with huge radio hits, which they had attempted and failed with "Turbo" (considered by many to be their worst album, but one of my favs by far). I suppose I wanted a Judas Priest album to play at parties and share with my friends of tamer musical tastes, and this one obviously wasn't going to be it.

It has since become one of my favorites. If you can completely tune out the cartoonish lyrics and song titles, it is a great slab of metal, an excellent recapturing of the band's past glories, and an appropriate swan song to the Rob Halford era (he'll be back, trust me). It is not without its duds, in fact I think the lead-off single "Painkiller" has a pretty weak chorus after building up with great drums and guitars. "Metal Meltdown" is only marginally better, don't know why that one was selected for "Metal Works `73-`93". Everything else sounds great, Halford's voice is pristine as always, and the production by newcomer Chris Tsangarides adds a new dimension after so many years with Tom Allom at the board.

Recommended cuts -"A Touch of Evil" (basically a reworking of "Night Comes Down" from "Defenders"), "One Shot At Glory", "Between The Hammer & The Anvil", "All Guns Blazing", and "Hell Patrol".

I've bought this CD almost two months ago.I must have given it at least 100 spins by now and I know I'll give it gladly 1000 spins more without hestitation.A must have for every true metal fan.

I have read the reviews on this board, and I agree with every single one, except several that only rated it with four stars instead of five. I could go into detail here and explain why it so deserves 5 stars, but many here have already done an excellent job reviewing it. My additons would only be redundant.

I bought this album back in 1990 when it was first released. 11 years later and I still consider it is one of metal's all time champions.

I have always liked Priest, and Rob Halford is one of them truly original singers that stands head and toes above all others, and as all metal fans know, there is lots of great metal vocalists out there.

I like most, if not all of JPs releases, but Painkiller has got to be arguably their crowning achievement, or magnum opus. All previous releases have at least two really creative songs on them, but this album is simply KILLER from beginning to end.

I just played it in my car on the way to work this morning. I hadn't heard it in about 16 months. It sounded just as fresh today as it did 11 years ago. I had my stereo cranked as LOUD AS IT WOULD GO, and found myself speeding way beyond the speed limit, head banging, and singing at the top of my lungs the best I could to Halford's scorching vocal passages.

Listening to this album VERY loud when in need for a metal fix, is just as satisfying as consuming a large, thick, New York strip, or T-bone steak with a tall, cold brew when you are two-days hungry.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

Heavy Metal worshippers unite: THE PRIEST IS KING!

One thing is for sure, this is one of the best albums in the early 90's and of the best of all time in the Judas catalog. This is heavy metal in the simplest and pure form. The guitar complexity here is the main point on the album, Tipton and K.K. Downing never stops to impress me, both are great musicians and Rob Halford great as always improves why is the best metal vocalist of all time along with Bruce Dickinson and James Hetfield. This album is essential!!!

Vaulting out of their first attempt at a speed metal kind of thing on Ram it Down Priest gets it right on Painkiller. While Ram It Down was a little artificial techno sounding, Painkiller has got some real creativity and energy behind it, and oh yes, it's HEAVY!

A must for your metal collection.