Priest of Judas- Hell bends for leather / Killing machine (Originally reissued by Sony in 1978 and 2001)
After making “Better By You, Better Than Me” by Judas Priest Stained class LP, James Guthrie was hired to do their next album. This was in line with another step in the evolution of Judas Priest. In the 1980s, we planned to streamline and simplify the sound, but previous albums were darker and more complex. 1978s Hell bends for leather (Called Killing machine In the UK) is the border between the two sides of the priest.
A stuttering riff opens one of the most famous tracks on this amazing LP, “Delivering the Goods.” The new bright priest will certainly deliver the goods in this bright locker. “I feel like I’m ready to kick tonight, and without hesitation, my body is in pain, looking for some action, and it’s okay.”* This is far from “Saints in Hell” and “Dissident Aggressor”. Now Priest is uplifting your rock and roll soul. A heavy, headbanging party track with a solid gold referral. The ending is a showcase of drummer Les Binks, but unfortunately it’s on his last Priest studio album. His loss will be felt throughout the 1980s.
Another simple hard rock classic “Rock Forever” is in second place. Binks’ contrabass work is like a kid eager to quit school that day. Along the way, the multitrack Halford turns into a cool Robs choir. In addition, “Evening Star” is a little surprising. Starting as a ballad, it soon … turns into a rock’n’roll sing along? As one of the priest’s most melodic songs, it could easily rock new fans in this band. It may also have stopped fans who like their metal being heavy.
The two tracks on this album are consistently included in the priest setlist. One is “Hell Bent for Leather”. A comfortable, dry sound with the guitar cranked and the binks overdriven. It’s clear that Rob was riding a Harley and (almost) enough to close the upcoming Priest show. It’s not the priest’s best song, but it’s one of their most legendary songs.
The final side 1 is “Take On the World”, which is like the first part of “United”. British Steel.. A double track drum, it has “We Will Rock You” quality, but is done in priest style. It is clearly intended to be sung from the stage to a screaming audience. “Put yourself in our hands so that we can hear our voice. Together we challenge the whole world!” Repeat, rinse and dry.
The side 2 opener is “Burnin’Up”, one of Rob’s naughty numbers. This sexy groove will nail you to your seat. It may seem interesting, like climbing a rope in a PE class, but it’s a highlight of the album. “You put something hot on the plate, but you keep me waiting, so I’ll keep it dirty until your body breaks.”
At this point, the US version of the album breaks into what I call the best song Judas Priest has ever made. The second one remains on the set list. And it’s not theirs either. Fleetwood Mac’s “Green Manalishi (with a bifurcated crown)”. Bands rarely make their own cover songs, as Priest did in “Green Manarisi.” From impeccable tempos to perfectly constructed solos to perfect riffs, everything about this is perfect. Les Binks are in my pocket, telling me that the live version with Dave Holland on drums was harder. If you can only listen to one Judas Priest song in your lifetime, make sure it is “Green Manarisi (with a bifurcated crown)”.
At this point you could put a fork in the album and call it “done”, but there’s still a lot of great things to do.
A funky priest groove comes down to the “killing machine”. The menacing Halford warns that “I have a contract with you,” backed by the trademark priest riff. The middle section of the solo is a completely different beast. The faster song “Running Wild” stimulates adrenaline while playing the guitar. “I take on all the visitors, they either retreat or they fall,” sings Rob, challenging in his voice. At this point, I’m sure this guy can actually take on the world. “I rebel, but I worked hard, and I demand respect,” he sings seriously.
There is a rest here before the end and there is a ballad: “Before Dawn”, it reminds us of a softer moment from Wings of fate.. The guitar solo is legendary, but Rob Halford is the star of this melancholy masterpiece. Finally, the priest gets dirty again with “evil fantasy”. Lock your kinks or go with it! It’s another sexy groove. Rob knew how to write lyrics suitable for music. “You spit, I growl, you whine.” It’s like a Romulan having sex with a Klingon. It shouldn’t be, but it is, and it’s cool!
Sony has worked on two completely unrelated bonus tracks, but we need to confirm them.
“Fight For Your Life” is a demo of “Rock Hard, Ride Free”. Defenders of Immorality, Except for some of the lyrics and the solo section, it’s almost the same. The album has great bonus material, but this is not the case. Also, the live version of “Riding on the Wind” was originally irrelevant. Cry of revenge.. This blitzkrieg is from a legendary American festival.
Bonus tracks aside Hell bends for leather (With “Green Manarishi”) is an essential metal. Limit.
5/5 Performer
* The Japanese version of the lyrics was poorly translated: “I feel rock queer and I’m ready to kick tonight.”
Judas Priest Review
