Judas Priest's Reviews

Defenders Of The Faith

(Average Rating: 8.00 out of 10)

Second Best Heavy Metal Album of All Time

(Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by Kyle Vraa from Circle Pines, MN United States

Defenders of the Faith contains some of the best guitar work and songwriting ever recorded in the heavy metal genre. The sound of this album creates a dark yet melodic mood that is totally unique. DOTF proves that melodic music can be extremely heavy. The songs are well thought-out compositions and there is not a weak track on the record (the bonus tracks are weak - just push Stop after the original album tracks end).

Freewheel Burning - 10 (pure speed metal mayhem)
Jawbreaker - 9
Rock Hard, Ride Free - 10 (fantastic guitar work)
The Sentinel - 10 (dark futuristic number that reminds me of Terminator)
Love Bites - 10 (good groove, but knowing what we now know about Halford I don't ponder the lyrics in great detail)
Eat Me Alive - 9 (see Love Bites)
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - 10 (written by hired songwriter Bob Halligan, Jr. - proves that just because something gets on the radio it is not necessarily bad - contains my favorite guitar solos)
When the Night Comes Down - 10 (dark, slow-paced ballad)
Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith - 10 (awesome plodding concert fist pumper)

Bonus Tracks:
Both rate 5 - nothing special.

The talent and level of musical inspiration shown on this recording was not matched again by Priest or any other band afterward. Coincidentally, the best heavy metal album of all time, Metallica's Ride the Lightening, was released the same year. Apparently there was just something in the air in 1984.

Buy this album on Amazon at $10.99