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The rhythm section is sound. There isn't a weak song in sight. This album defines 1980s British Heavy Metal. As for vocals, there's not really a lot you can say.except that Rob Halford is the one and only Metal God. 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. Every metal fan should own this album. If you don't have a copy, then buy it now.Buy it.Play it loud.Repeat.
Judas Priest had just finished touring for there highly acclaimed (sometimes) over-rated "Screaming for Vengeance". "Love Bites" is Haunting, Scary, Gothic, But Very Heavy and Kick-Ass (They would normally start there shows in support for this album with this song, and it makes for a awesome opener)."Eat Me Alive" is creepy, fast paced, intense (kinda like "Freewheel Burning") but with a overall darker tone."Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" is a mid-paced, stalking, dark, song and probably my personal favorite on the album."Night Comes Down" follows in a great way, and even though it is a slower song, it's not a wimpy ballad in no way, it's quite epic and Rob Halford's delivery in this song makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up."Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith" both these songs are separate, but i consider them one song due to "Heavy Duty" going right into the title track, and it's a great ending to not just a Perfect Priest album, but a Perfect metal album all in all.Judas Priest followed this with "Turbo" which sonically went into the glam metal that Priest had no right to be in (although that album was good in it's own light), as they belong with Just Heavy Straight Forward Metal. While that album had a couple of good ballads ("(Take These)Chains", "Fever", "Pain and Pleasure").
Defenders of the Faith, I believe took the foundations that were layed down on "Screaming For Vengeance" and Raised them to "11" on all levels. "Rock Hard, Ride Free" is very anthemic, but still kick-ass. I know that if you're reading this, you probably think I'm crazy for thinking that, but I believe that it was there follow-up to that classic album that surpassed that on all levels.
Rob Halford shows more intensity and fury in his voice.The album blasts the gates open with "Freewheel Burning", which really showcases what I'm talking about when I say that they sound a lot meaner, heavier, and intense."Jawbreaker" continues that sound with greatness. They took that sound and cranked it up by making it much heavier, louder, meaner, scarier, a little Gothic, Dark, Gritty, and a lot more intense. If you don't know what I mean, just listen to every song on this album and you'll see how they tear down anything that was on "Screaming for Vengeance".
"The Sentinel" is epic all on levels. The Priest eventually went back to there true roots with the return to form: "Painkiller" in 1990, which I believe is the sequel to "Defenders of the Faith".
Judas Priest delivers the goods on this record, in a big way. Non-stop metal, for your enjoyment, yes, the sound could be better.
Priest releasing another popular metal album, though this one is a bit weaker than screaming for vengence. Still, some classic here. Does have some filler songs like "heavy duty" and some others that were popular back then but don't stand up very well today, like "love bites" and "some heads are gonna roll." 3.5 stars for this one.
One of Priest's best albums, but a horrid sounding remaster. The remastering was done at such a high level that there is very audible clipping distortion all over the place. Very, very sad.
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