(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
hlp2
from Reynoldsburg, Ohio USA
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.
