Judas Priest's Reviews
Sin After Sin (Average Rating: 8.84 out of 10)
Priest's Major Label Debut (Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by
Midnight Rambler
from Highland Heights, KY
This was the metal gods third studio album and it came out in 1977. It was also their first ever on a major label, as their first two were put out by the indie label Gull Records. CBS records in the USA was the label to originally release this album and it helped finally give them some world wide recognition. It also helped they had Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover to produce their album, as the band were very unhappy with the production job their first two albums had, even though proud of the songs on them. They finally get the production they deserve with help and advice from Glover.The album kicks off with the powerful "Sinner" and was a concert highlight for many tours. The sinister main riff is classic with its dark imagery of the apocalypse, and the middle section is great with K.K. Downing doing a powerful solo. "Diamonds And Rust" is a great cover of the Joan Baez classic and is ok here but the live version on "Unleashed In The East" just blows it away, as most fans will agree with that. "Starbreaker" is another riff driven metal classic and the first half ends with the ballad "Last Rose Of Summer" which is about a guy giving his woman the last rose of summer in late August so during fall and winter its a symbol their love will go on. Who says metal bands can't write a heart felt ballad?? The speed picks up again with "Let Us Prey/Call For The Priest" and I bet Roger Glover really had input a lot on this song as it has a Deep Purple vibe throughout it, especially the solos in the middle part. This is my second favorite of the album, and I wonder if it was ever done live?? I know certainly never after this tour it wasn't, which is a shame as it would be amazing in the live setting with all its dynamics. "Raw Deal" is one that really benefits from the remastering as it never really jumped out at me before, but its dynamics too are really felt in this remaster. Its a good, slow but heavier than thou tune. "Here Come The Tears" is the second ballad of the album, but differs greatly from "Last Rose Of Summer" as that was optimistic, but this one is very dark and you can feel the sorrow of potentially losing a loved one, someone that was the world to you, and feeling so alone. It gets very powerful towards the end and climaxes with some radar sounding feedback in the distance which leads into the album closer and my favorite, "Dissident Aggressor"!!! With its twisted, ultra heavy main riff, and all out agression, it hints at the direction Priest would take on heavily on their next albums. Lyrically its about a brainwashed soldier under constant scrutiny yet happily going along with whatever orders are thrown at him, as his hate for the enemy is so strong he will do anything to topple them!! The bonus tracks are cool too, "Reace With The Devil" was just used as a studio jam but has some great dualing lead work and powerful vocals and the live version of "Jawbreaker" is great as well. This one is an essential piece of metal history.
Buy this album on Amazon at $10.99
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