Judas Priest's Reviews
Painkiller (Average Rating: 8.64 out of 10)
Woefully overrated, JP forget their roots (Rated this album with 4 out of 10)
Reviewed by
sdbaker70
from Phoenix, Arizona United States
The fact that there are no 3-star reviews should tell you something - you will either love this record or hate it - the last album with Rob Halford on lead vocals. As a Priest fan since 1978 (yes, that is a "7"), I would say that if you liked 'Stained Glass' (1978) (another overrated Priest record), then you will probably like this.The only songs I ever liked from that record were "Exciter" and "Beyond the Realms of Death", and similarly, I have concluded that there are only two worthy tunes on here - "Painkiller" and "A Touch of Evil". While much is made of the musicianship (particularly, of new drummer Scott Travis), speed does not always translate into effective music. In any case, the lyrics are hopelessly banal. Whereas previous records were generally limited to just three lyrical topics ((1) mythical beings in post-apocoalyptic scenerios; (2) rough sex; and (3) what a great band JP is), this one is limited to just one. And while the lyrics are laughable, long gone is the INTENTIONAL sense of humor (e.g., "Eat Me Alive" from 'Defenders of the Faith' (1984) or "Johnny B. Goode" from 'Ram It Down' (1988))? In a way, Priest sold out, spending too much time folding to the Pantera/Slayer-style speed metal trend that was the "sincere" heavy metal sub-genre in 1990 and not enough time on the lyrics. What is most ironic is that only one year later, the consumate speed metal band, Metallica, would assume a sound that was more like classic Judas Priest and cash in to tune of 10+ million records. If you are a new fan, I recommend cutting your teeth on these classics (in order): (1) 'Screaming for Vengeance' (1982); (2) 'Unleashed in the East' (1979); and (3) 'British Steel' (1980).
Buy this album on Amazon at $10.99
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