Judas Priest Album: “Sad Wings of Destiny”

This is one of the most influential metal albums ever made. No rock collection is complete without this. "Sad Wings" was the next step in metal after the initial wave of Sabbath, Purple, and Uriah Heep.Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Fates Warning and virtually all of later progressive metal would be inconceivable had this record never been made. Great writing, playing,changes in tempo, texture, and mood throughout all the brilliant compositions. The opener "Victim Of Changes" is THE Essential metal song. Halford's vocal range is astounding throughout. His style re-invents the metal vocalist here. The two guitar onslaught of Tipton and Downing is staggering and blazes the trail for Hammett and Hetfield, Denner and Sherman, and virtually any heavy band to come that would feature two axe slingers. This record commercially was criminally ignored in it's time, but like all great underground works, those who bought it were influenced and formed bands. Today's younger set may be a little mystified by the stone age production, but any young musician wanting to attempt the heavy stuff should begin here.

I was first turned on to this album around '83 - '84. I have a brother ten years older than me and he had Sad Wings on vinyl. When I first started getting into metal/hard rock it was Iron Maiden, Saxon, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Rush, 80's Priest. I was listening to Maiden/Killers one day in my room when he burst in, took the record off and started to put Sad Wings on. I was pissed at first and jumped up to stop him. He pushed me back down and said, "just listen". So I did. I must have listened to Sad Wings 20 to 30 times in a row that evening. I turned all my long haired, metal head buddies on to it the next day. It is probably, if not the best, then one of the best metal albums ever.

After a very unsuccessful first album mainly due to its bland 70s rock sound and its crappy production (hell, even the band themselves don't really like it!) the METAL GODS go into the studio two years later and make one of their finest and perhaps most influential albums, Sad Wings of Destiny.

This is the album where Priest found their true sound and amazingly it was on only their second album! While many bands run out of the good material that made their first album a smash success and run into the dreaded 'sophomore slump' on their next album (like Van Halen), Priest were making metal history on their second!

So why is this album so damn good you ask? Well let me take a moment to explain in a classic albeit slightly boring track by track review! However, I will be doing it by the TRUE track order which Koch records screwed up on the remaster (they switched the A and B sides of the original vinyl).

Prelude- 9/10 Ok so this is the real opener folks, just a very soothing piano intro that blends into the next song...

Tyrant- 10/10 One of my faves on the album. Killer vocals that really portray the brutality of ruthless conquerors.

Genocide- 9/10 Another killer song with great lyrics kind of relating to the previous song's. Oh did I mention this Priest's best album lyrically? Yeah it definitely is. The deeply sung part in the song is just pure metal!

Epitaph- 9/10 Ok what's up with people not liking this one? I personally think it owns. Rob once agains shows the talents of vocals in a softer emotional sense. You might be thinking "a piano again???" but DO NOT skip this one!!! Listen to the lyrics too.

Island of Domination- 9/10 Another great one (surprise eh?) with more great shrieking from Halford...and it only gets better down the album!

Victim of Changes - 10/10 WOW! Ok now we're cookin' with gas people! After just listening to this once I fully realized why fans love this one. I mean it represents everything metal should be, furious dual-riffage, (from the best axe team in the game!) supreme vocals, great lyrics, and epic clocking in at almost 8 mins! This is hands down one of Rob's best performances ever.

A MUST LISTEN.

The Ripper- 10/10 Ah, the song that foreshadows the future cheesiness of Priest. (Painkiller anyone?) Dont get me wrong, Painkiller is one of my favorite albums and Priest is my favorite band but I call it like I see it. This is one of the heavier songs on here and one of my faves.

Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver- 10/10 The true closer and actually my favorite song along with 'Victim' and has to be one of the best metal ballads ever with its beautiful melody, thrashing end part and mysterious lyrics. Another essential listen.

In conclusion, it's imperative as a metal fan that you own this album. This was back in the days when Priest made more "serious" albums (along with the brilliant Stained Class) which would end with Hell Bent For Leather. Downing and Tipton truly showcase the power of twin guitar action that paved the way for many other great axe duos. Plus Halford really shows off his talents by singing in a variety of ways throughout the album (Genocide, Epitaph, Victim of Changes). This album proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that metal IS real music!

One last thing, try listening to the album in this order, you might even like it better! I think saving the best for last is always a plus anyway. Later.

Every track on this recording is a keeper, truly classic doom rock on par with any cut from Sabbath's "Paranoid". The dual guitar work of Downing and Tipton is deliciously raw (even for this period, ca.74)and the vocals of a young Rob Halford are incredible. Priest were not all about bludgeoning riffs, however; they were masters of balancing light ("Dreamer Deceiver", "Epitaph")with the brutally heavy ("Tyrant","Victim of Changes", "Genocide"). Halford was quite capable (and is STILL quite capable) of conveying rage, fear, and genuine sorrow (listen to the aforementioned "Epitaph")all with equally convincing vocal vigor. My personal favorite is "Island of Domination"; it conjures up fevered images of stranded soldiers trying to escape from the island stronghold of a brutally despotic regime (this is colored, of course, with Priest's typical S&M inspired fantasies! ). If you are a true metal head, don't miss out on this one.

This was their first of two albums to be released in 1977, and it was the last album with Gull Records (the band jumped to CBS records after recording this album). "Sad Wings Of Destiny" is a perfect heavymetal album. If you don't have it you can't be considered a music lover! Here are my reviews of the songs based out of 5 *****:

"Victim Of Changes" - Hypnotic sounding guitar intro plunges into a thumping bass and chugging guitar. Very Sabbath sounding. Some fantastic guitar work from Glenn and KK with heavy distortion and wah-wah/whammy bar use. Rob begins his trademark wails here. Some of Rob's highest pitches are heard here. This is a great heavymetal song. Still in the live set. Some great tempo changes that were copied by Mercyful Fate and others. A landmark tune. Rating - *****

"The Ripper" - Chugging guitar and some very high-pitched screaming from Rob. Heavy thumping bass from Ian. A short song. Haunting guitar solo. Very moody piece well suited for "The Ripper". A classic metal song. Rating - ****

"Dreamer Deceiver" - A beautiful ballad with a message, with great singing from Rob. Very colorful lyrics which are enhanced by Rob's mournful sound. Some fine acoustic guitar and solo. Rob's hits lows and highs on this song that show what a tremendous voice he has. Journey wishes they could have done a ballad like this! I love this song! It should be in their live set if it isn't! Rating - *****

"Deceiver" - The "Dreamer" wakes up to a nightmare! This is no ballad here. The tempo is fast and mean. A barren wastland is what the "Dreamer" awakes to and Rob tells the story with conviction! Great guitar solo. A great heavymetal song! Rob has never sounded better! This song SCREAMS to be in the live set! Rating - *****

"Prelude" - A piano and drum roll (reminds me of "Funeral For A Friend" by Elton John) which announces the arrival of.....

"Tyrant" - Man this song RULES! One the best heavymetal songs ever written! A fast, aggresive song well suited for a tyrant. Intelligent and descriptive lyrics help paint a violent picture brought to life by Rob's howls! A gem of a song. Fine fret work from KK and Glenn. Nice, heavy bass from Ian. "War Pigs" on speed! Rating - ******

"Genocide" - The speed doesn't let up as this is another cardiac-arrest producing tune. A violent and ominous sounding guitar intro leads into heavy bass and highpitched singing from Rob. Rob is exhilerating on this song. Some heavily distorted guitars add menacing flavour. Another song with numerous tempo changes. Another song with great lyrics (OH, please bring back these types of songs!) A thick and chunky tune that prepares you for the slaughter. A CLASSIC! Hear this live and turn into a sack of jelly. Rating - *****

"Epitaph" - A piano song accompanied with some fantastic singing from Rob. Very mournful and emotional. A very mood piece as an epitaph usually is. I love this song! Thought provoking lyrics set the stage. Rating - *****

"Island Of Domination" - The metal sludge renews, as this is a very heavy heavymetal sounding tune. Strong S&M overtones. Rob goes from gutteral lows to piercing highs on this one. Some tremendous guitar work from Glenn. Fine bass playing by Ian accompanied by multiple tempo changes in the song structure. An excellent metal song. Rating - *****

This sophmore album is lightyears ahead of its predecessor. The sound here would be emulated on their next album

. See my review for that album.