2010 News Archive

People throw out the term "classic" so often that it tends to lose its true meaning, but when talking about JUDAS PRIEST's 1980 grand slam"British Steel" the meaning of the word cannot be overstated. It is a classic much like AC/DC's "Back in Black", IRON MAIDEN's "The Number of the Beast", BLACK SABBATH's "Paranoid", andMETALLICA's "Master of Puppets". It is an album that has stood the test of time, sounding as relevant now as it did 30 years ago, based on the establishment of a genre-defining style and a collection of nine flawless, memorable, and immediately recognizable songs. The 30th anniversary edition is now presented to you in suitably remastered form with two bonus tracks, revised artwork (the original cover still stuns the eyes), and an accompanying DVD featuring a full performance and a very informative interview with vocalist Rob Halford, bassist Ian Hill, and guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.

As for "British Steel" proper, the only problem is describing its greatness is one of reigning in the unbridled enthusiasm and staving off the inclination to ramble endlessly. I'll try to be succinct. Though 1979's "Hell Bent for Leather" is a classic in its own right, something clicked during the "British Steel" sessions that resulted in the band sharpening its approach to songwriting by compacting its legendary armored attack into nine surgically precise compositions that pound for pound offered just as much, if not more, metal, while putting greater emphasis on catchiness. Both sound and delivery are distinguishing factors, as the recordings feature an unparalleled instrument clarity, as well as a lockstep, militaristic approach previously unheard of and in many respects still unmatched by albums released since.

Sandwiched between too all-out head bangers in "Rapid Fire" and"Steeler" were seven truly diverse tracks, each one a different kind of highlight and inclusive of some of the greatest riffs and melodies in the history of heavy metal. "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight"are the breakout hits on a breakout album, each quintessential anthems with rousing, made-for-FM-radio choruses. "Metal Gods" is the metal march to end all metal marches and "Grinder" is just downright nasty with that clipped bluntness of the main riff and a chorus that is one of the most infamous ever written (yet it is a metaphor for breaking out of life's spirit-destroying routines, as Halford notes during the interview portion of the DVD). "The Rage" offers yet another stark compositional contrast with its reggae-gone-metal verse (still Ian Hill's most conspicuous moment) and a iron and steel avalanche of a chorus that is overwhelmingly heavy even by today's standards. "You Don't Have to Be Old to be Wise" is in many respects the album's most dynamic cut with a refrain tailor-made for the sing-along, while "United" is one of the most, well, unifying heavy metal shout-outs of all time; a simple song with a simple message, yet a message that defines the strength and life-long bonds of the heavy metal community, alternate interpretations notwithstanding.

Bonus-wise, the CD portion of the package rounds out with a live version of "Grinder" and a touching, if melodramatic, cut recorded in 1985 called"Red, White, and Blue". Additionally, Dave Shack's liner notes poignantly capture the feelings evoked by "British Steel" both when it was first released and 30 years later.

That brings us to a spectacular bonus DVD, the centerpiece of which is an excellent 16-song live performance from last year's 30th Anniversary Tour, beginning with "British Steel" played in its entirety. A special selection of tunes like "The Ripper", "Diamonds & Rust", "Victim of Changes","Freewheel Burning", and "You've got another Thing Comin'" follow, sitting alongside "Hell Patrol" and "Prophecy" (from "Nostradamus"). Great audio, great video; case closed. The 30-minute "The Making of British Steel Interview" is engrossing, as each member discusses each of the nine songs, a well as the details of the recording sessions at Tittenhurst Park. The stories behind the creation of the sound effects used for "Metal Gods" are worth the price of admission alone.

What more can be said about "British Steel"? Lots more, but it's time to wrap things up. In a nutshell, "British Steel" is an album beloved by generations of fans and will continue to be loved by future generations. The 30th Anniversary Edition is an outstanding tribute to it. While an 11 would be a more accurate rating, we'll have to settle on a 10.

Judas Priest!

To speak with Rob Halford you must call Monday night between 8:30pm PT to 10:00pm PT, or 11:00pm to 1:00am ET. You can listen to the broadcast on both nights by following the simple "Listen Live" instructions on this website. The show will be streamed here beginnign on Tuesday, May 11th. PLEASE CALL ON MONDAY ONLY!!!

It’s hard to believe it’s been thirty years since the breakthrough, genre defining album, “British Steel” was released by Judas Priest. The first thing that grabbed you was the cover, the iconic chills-up-the-spine image of a hand gripping a double edged razor blade so mightily that it was well into the flesh. It’s an unforgettable entre to one of the greatest albums ever created, one which not only provided Priest previously undreamt of recognition and reward, but also a release that drew a line of demarcation between traditional blues based Rock and Roll and Metal. It also meant that Priest could become a mainstream band and still retain their credibility and perform music their way.

One of the first things which grabs you with the brand new “British Steel: Thirtieth Anniversary Edition” is that the hand, which conveyed a bamboo-shoots-under-the- fingernails creepiness is gone, replaced by the inevitable blood which was bound to ensue after such hand was removed from the shimmering steel blade which had seeped into the consciousness of any self respecting rocker. Two paragraphs in and we haven’t gotten past the cover.

Well presented with extras worth having, such as two previously unreleased songs from the era and a DVD of their August 2009 concert at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL, the 30th anniversary release is must have. The re-mastered version (done in 2001) brings out the dynamics of the music without compromising the original recordings. 5.1 surround sound for the DVD further enhances the feeling of having actually attended the show. Good thing too because this is how you’re going to see Judas Priest in concert in 2010. They’re taking a year off from touring, having earned the right to do whatever they want at this point; they are the Metal Gods after all.

The concert on DVD captures the band performing their gold standard for albums, “British Steel” live in its entirety and proper sequence serving as a reminder that this was one of the great rock albums ever created and recorded, far beyond just the hits on the radio, “Livin’ After Midnight” and “Breaking The Law”. In fact, it is the non-radio songs which serve as the spine and framework for this important statement from the Birmingham band. “British Steel” has longtime concert favorites like “Metal Gods”, groundbreaking guitar work on “The Rage” and “Steeler” and the anthemic “United”. Performed from cut one straight through to the end serves as an explosive display of a band that hit it out of the park in 1980. Our guest for this show, Rob Halford, proclaimed during last year’s tour that performing the album in its entirety was a dream and for fans, because there isn’t a bad song on the album, a criterion for all proclaimed classic albums, it was nirvana. JudasPriest.com and MySpace are two of the band’s websites.

The Metal God himself, Rob Halford, will join us to take calls and answer your questions about this memorable release and all things Priest On Monday May 10 and rebroadcast on Wednesday May 12, only on the next ROCKLINE!