JUDAS PRIEST — Ram It Down (review)

JUDAS PRIEST — Ram It Down album cover Album · 1988 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
aglasshouse
After the blemishing album 'Turbo' was released in 1986, the members of JUDAS PRIEST, instead of scrapping the idea of traditional heavy metal, continued with it and released a second one of the genre set in 1988, titled 'Ram It Down'. It is obvious that they tried it in the past, with albums such as 'Sad Wings Of Destiny', 'Sin After Sin', 'Stained Class' and 'Killing Machine'. All of these albums reached some sort of success, and some of them even reached huge popularity, like 'Sad Wings of Destiny' and 'Stained Class'. However, PRIEST stopped making the heavy metal sound and instead moved toward a sound of NWoBHM.

After the 1984 release of 'Defenders of the Faith', they came back with the old trad. heavy metal sound once again. However, being not used to it for awhile, didn't do as well in the beginning (in the case of 'Turbo'.) They continued the trend even in the face of their failure, and released 'Ram It Down' as a followup album.

The album features some great tracks, such as the title track, "Heavy Metal", and my favorite JUDAS PRIEST song, "Blood Red Skies". These tracks, although not being the typical JUDAS PRIEST sound many people know as of today, are amazing 5 star tracks.

'Ram It Down' does also have some strange and overall weak tracks, like "Love Zone", "Love You to Death", and the cover that I'd never think would come from JP, "Johnny B. Goode" (I love the original song by the way).

Mixed ratings came out of this album, most people liked it, yet many wanted either a different sound or a new sound, and that side one in the end, and this was their last trad. heavy metal album until 'Demolition' in 2001. This definitely has more pros than cons, however, and I suggest that whoever likes the Trad. Heavy Metal that JP came out with back in the 70's, would like this album as well.

Go give it a listen.
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adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I figured that was a typo. ;) I do agree, it is an unusual choice but ones like that often end up the best covers. Alestorm covered Hangover by r'n'b artist Taio Cruz on their last album and I think that's one of the best songs on it.
aglasshouse wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I meant to say isn't- I guess that totally ruined my point.
666sharon666 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I like this one to. I really enjoy their version of Johnny B. Goode actually.
aglasshouse wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I'm not saying that their cover of Johnny B. Goode is excellent, just a strange song for them to cover in the first place.
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah, I really enjoy this album as well. 'Nostradamus' is another underrated gem in my opinion.
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I agree. I dont get the dislike for this one. I love Johnny B Goode. Not as killer as their best but certainly not a tbrowaway
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
One of the more underrated ones in their discography in my opinion.

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