JUDAS PRIEST — Painkiller (review)

JUDAS PRIEST — Painkiller album cover Album · 1990 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Time Signature
All guitars blazing...

Genre: heavy metal / speed metal

This is another one of those albums that were part of the soundtrack of my youth. I distinctly remember listening to this on my walkman while bicycling 10 kilometers to school, the fast pace of many of the songs ensuring that I pedalled fast enough to alway make it on time.

Personally, I think this is the best release by Judas Priest ever. I like the crisp production. I like the songs. I like the atmosphere. I like the cover art.

And I think it's an unflawed record. From the drum intro of the opener "Painkiller" over the dark "Metal Meltdown" and "Nightcrawler" to the doomy "Touch of Evil" to the final track "One Shot at Glory" there are hardly any weak moments at all. Oh, and, "Painkiller" is my favorite Priest track ever, too. I love Halford's high-pitched screechy screaming and the speed metal drumming, which I honestly don't think former drummer Dave Holland would ever be able to paly. And my all time favorite guitar solo is also found in this song.

One of the best metal records ever, for my money, and I recommend it to anyone who calls themselves a metal fan.
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