JUDAS PRIEST – Hell Bent for Leather / Killing Machine (Originally, 1978, 2001 Sony reissue)
After producing “Better By You, Better Than Me” on Judas Priest’s Stained Class LP, James Guthrie was hired to do their next album. This coincided with another step in Judas Priest’s evolution. In the 1980s they would streamline and simplify their sound, but their earlier albums were darker and more complex. 1978’s Hell Bent for Leather (called Killing Machine in the UK) is the dividing line between the two sides of Priest.
A stuttering riffs opens “Delivering the Goods”, one of the best known tracks from this excellent LP. A newly upbeat Priest does indeed deliver the goods on this bright rocker. “Feeling like we’re ready to kick tonight, no hesitating, my bodies aching, looking for some action, satisfaction all right.”* This is a far cry from “Saints in Hell” and “Dissident Aggressor”. Now Priest are uplifting your rock and roll souls. It’s a heavy, headbanging party track with solid gold riffage. The outro is a showcase for drummer Les Binks, unfortunately on his final Priest studio album. His loss would be felt through the entire 1980s.
Another simple hard rock classic, “Rock Forever”, is second in line. Binks’ double bass work is like an impatient kid anxious to quit school for the day. Part way through, a multi-tracked Halford turns into a cool choir of Robs. Further in, “Evening Star” is a bit of a surprise. Starting as a ballad, it quickly turns into a…rock and roll singalong? As one of Priest’s most melodic songs, it could have easily swayed new fans onto this band. It also could have turned off fans who liked their metal heavy.
Two tracks from this album have consistently been in the Priest setlists. One is “Hell Bent for Leather”. It has a delightfully dry sound, with guitars cranked and Binks on overdrive. It was obviously good enough to close Priest’s shows going forward (mostly), with Rob riding out on his Harley. It’s not Priest’s greatest song, but it is one of their most legendary.
Closing side one is “Take On the World”, sort of a prequel to “United” from British Steel. With double tracked drums, it has a “We Will Rock You” quality, but done Priest style. It’s clearly meant to be sung from the stage, to a screaming audience. “Put yourself in our hands so our voices can be heard, and together we will take on all the world!” Repeat, rinse, dry.
Side two’s opener is one of Rob’s naughty numbers: “Burnin’ Up”. The sexy groove on this one will nail you to your seat. It’s an album highlight though it might leave you feeling funny, like that time you climbed the rope in gym class. “You dish the hot stuff up but you keep me waiting, so I’ll play it dirty until your body is breaking.”
At this point, the US version of the album breaks into what I will call the greatest song Judas Priest have ever done. It’s the second one that has remained in setlists. And it’s not even one of theirs. It’s Fleetwood Mac’s “The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)”. Rarely does a band make a cover song their own like Priest did with “Green Manalishi”. Everything on this is perfect, from the impeccable tempo, to the immaculately composed solos, to the flawless riff. Les Binks is right in the pocket, and it’s very telling that live versions with Dave Holland on drums were stiffer. If you only ever get to hear one Judas Priest song in your whole life, make sure that it’s “The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)”.
You could put a fork in the album at this point and call it “done”, but there’s still plenty of awesome to go.
A funky Priest groove goes down on “Killing Machine”. A menacing Halford warns, “I got a contract on you,” backed by trademark Priest riff. The middle section with the solo is a whole different beast. A faster song, “Running Wild”, pumps the adrenaline with chugging guitars. “I take on all comers, they back up or they fall,” sings Rob with a challenge in his voice. At this point I’m convinced that this guy could take on the world for real. “I rebel but I worked hard, and I demand respect,” he sings with earnest.
There’s a respite here before the end, with a ballad: “Before the Dawn”, which reminds of softer moments from Sad Wings of Destiny. The guitar solo is legendary, but Rob Halford is the star on this melancholy masterpiece. Finally, Priest go dirty again with “Evil Fantasies”. Lock up your kinks, or just go with it! It’s another sexy groove. Rob knew how to write lyrics appropriate to the music. “You pout, I snarl, you whimper.” It’s like a Romulan having sex with a Klingon. It shouldn’t be, but it is, and it’s cool!
Sony tacked on two completely unrelated bonus tracks, but review them we must.
“Fight For Your Life” is a demo of “Rock Hard, Ride Free” from Defenders of the Faith, almost identical except for some of the lyrics, and solo section. Great bonus material for that album, but not this one. Also unrelated is a live version of “Riding on the Wind” originally from Screaming for Vengeance. This blitzkrieg is from the legendary US festival.
Bonus tracks quibbles aside, Hell Bent for Leather (with “Green Manalishi”) is essential metal. Period.
5/5 stars
* The lyrics on the Japanese version were poorly translated: “Feeling rock queers, ready to kick tonight.”
JUDAS PRIEST REVIEWS
- Rocka Rolla (1974)
- Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
- Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) “Re-Review”
- Sin After Sin (1977)
- The Best of Judas Priest (Insight Series) (1978)
- Stained Class (1978)
- Hell Bent for Leather / Killing Machine (1978)
- Unleashed in the East / Priest in the East (1979)
- British Steel (1980)
- British Steel (30th Anniversary Edition)
- Hero, Hero (1981)
- Point of Entry (1981)
- Screaming For Vengeance (1982 + 30th Anniversary Edition)
- Defenders of the Faith (1984)
- Defenders of the Faith (30th Anniversary Edition)
- Turbo (1986)
- Turbo 30 (Anniversary Edition)
- Priest…Live! (1987)
- Ram It Down (1988)
- Trouble Shooters (1989 cassette compilation)
- Painkiller (1990)
- Metal Works 73-93 (1993)
- Jugulator (1997)
- “Bullet Train” (1998 Japanese CD single)
- ’98 Live Meltdown (1998)
- Concert Classics (1998)
- Priest, Live and Rare (1998 Japanese)
- Demolition (2001 + Japanese edition)
- Live in London (2003)
- Metalogy (2004 4 CD + DVD box set)
- Angel of Retribution (2004 CD/DVD)
- Rising in the East (2005 DVD
- Nostradamus (2008)
- Greatest Hits (2008)
- A Touch of Evil – Live (2009 + iTunes + Japanese editions)
- Redeemer of Souls (2014)
- Redeemer of Souls – Deluxe Edition (2014 bonus CD)
- Battle Cry (2016)
- Firepower (2018)
I like this one now a bit more than my initial review would imply. “Burning Up” is one of my favourite Priest deep cuts.
“Fight For Your Life” on the other hand, is a scary reminder that Defenders of the Faith could have easily been as bad as Screaming For Vengeance. Thankfully it wasn’t
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Screaming is one of their most successful albums! Critically and commercially! It’s flawless!
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Nuh-uh. Mostly shrill sonic doodoo. Only two good songs on there.
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Shrill, I agree with. Sonic poo-poo, I do not! I believe you’re the devil, I believe you’re the devil’s child!
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Indeed, I must be.
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It’s not been ruled out!
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Totally agree about the bonus tracks, I feel a few priest albums get bonus tracks from the wrong era.
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Mostly from the Twin Turbos era. Really wish they’d just release Twin Turbos as intended.
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Running Wild is a great track. Guess like yesterdays review I need to get this one also at some point.
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I can’t believe you and John don’t have it!
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It’s one of those unexplainable mystery’s
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I don’t know the early Priest stuff, but I do love the title song and that album cover is great. I really like that one.
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This album really is a must. See it on vinyl, grab it without hesitation!
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Will do.
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Do you know the story behind the album title difference for UK and North America?
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I did at one point but don’t have my books handy anymore.
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Halford talks about it in the book
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Great album! “Take on the World” is definitely in my top five for Priest songs and what you say about “The Green Manalishi with the Two Pronged Crown” is spot on.
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Yeah the live version of “Riding on the Wind” made no sense, but it is what it is. There were some good tracks on that album. I think it’s a good album, but not a good Priest album. I guess I like their less commercialized stuff more. “Delivering the Goods,” “Killing Machine,” Evil Fantasies,” and “Burnin’ Up” are great!
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All awesome songs. Personally I think this is another peak for the band. British Steel simplified things too much.
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Huh, guess I’ll need to check out British Steel before I make any conclusions.
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Love this album and I agree fully with the score! And I also do not own it…
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Lol those translated lyrics.
And The Green Manilishi is one of my favourites from Priest. I went back to hear the original but the Priest version is just so good.
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The Priest version tops the Mac. Just like Jimi Hendrix topped Bob Dylan with Watchtower. Just my opinion though!
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No argument from me. The Priest and Hendrix cuts are the definitive cuts of those songs
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A rare thing in rock, but it happens. Those are two of the best examples I can think of. Van Halen doing You Really Got Me would be a third.
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Joan Jett doing I Love Rock N Roll supersedes the original as well.
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