Judas Priest Albums: Worst to First
My personal ranking of all the albums in the Judas Priest Library. |
| 18 |  | Judas Priest
Demolition
The reason this album sucks isn't Ripper's fault. The band just wasn't writing good music at this point.
Best Solo: Hell Is Home
Best Track: Jekyll and Hyde |
| 17 |  | Judas Priest
Rocka Rolla
Don't let my username fool you, this album is pretty much hot garbage from top to bottom.
Best Solo: Run of the Mill
Best Track: Run of the Mill |
| 16 |  | Judas Priest
Point of Entry
Point of Entry shows Judas Priest trying to go in a more commercial route following the success of British Steel, sadly it doesn't work nearly as well as the aforementioned album.
Best Solo: Heading out to the Highway
Best Track: Solar Angels |
| 15 |  | Judas Priest
Turbo
The second time Priest tried going in a more commercial direction, with a slightly better end result. Has some pretty great solos, but the overall product was dated before it was even released.
Best Solo: Hot for Love
Best Track: Turbo Lover |
| 14 |  | Judas Priest
Nostradamus
An overly long, overly ambitious concept album, which overstays it's welcome, but has some moments of genius sprinkled throughout.
Best Solo: Nostradamus
Best Track: Prophecy |
| 13 |  | Judas Priest
Angel of Retribution
A strong, yet imperfect return from the Metal God, Rob Halford. Pretty relentless and heavy, but has a few duds (one of which is 13 minutes long) that really drag the record down.
Best Solo: Hellrider
Best Track: Demonizer |
| 12 |  | Judas Priest
Killing Machine
Priest's first dabbling in a more pop-oriented sound, that bolsters some bonafide classics, but also has arguably the worst tracks they've ever recorded, "Evening Star" and "Take on the World".
Best Solo: Delivering the Goods
Best Track: Hellbent for Leather |
| 11 |  | Judas Priest
Stained Class
The highlights on this record are fantastic, but it has far too much filler for my liking. Songs like "Savage" and "Invader" are pretty lifeless and drag the record down quite a bit.
Best Solo: Exciter
Best Track: Stained Class |
| 10 |  | Judas Priest
British Steel
While it's nowhere near their strongest work, British Steel is one of the most important NWOBHM albums ever pressed to a record. This album has its share of filler tracks, but come on, it has "Breaking the Law."
Best Solo: Steeler
Best Track: Breaking the Law |
| 9 |  | Judas Priest
Jugulator
By far Priest's heaviest record, and their best with vocalist Ripper Owens, who absolutely dominates his performance. A departure from their signature sound, but a welcomed one at that.
Best Solo: Bullet Train
Best Song: Cathedral Spires |
| 8 |  | Judas Priest
Redeemer of Souls
Alright, let's get this out of the way; this album's production sucks ass through a curly straw, but if you can get past that, it might be one of Priest's most versatile and varied records to date.
Best Solo: Redeemer of Souls
Best Track: Halls of Valhalla |
| 7 |  | Judas Priest
Screaming for Vengeance
Now we're getting into the cream of the crop. Screaming for Vengeance was the comeback Priest needed after Point of Entry, and absolutely shreds from top to bottom. Sadly, the album closes on a whimper with "Devil's Child" but aside from that, you're looking at some grade A 80's metal.
Best Solo: Bloodstone
Best Track: Electric Eye |
| 6 |  | Judas Priest
Ram It Down
By far the most underrated release in Priest's entire catalog. Sure the drum machine is a kinda annoying at times, and the production's a little rushed, but if you want something to turn your brain off to and have a blast while doing it, Ram it Down is the record for you.
Best Solo: Ram it Down
Best Track: Hard as Iron |
| 5 |  | Judas Priest
Firepower
The latest release from the band proved to be my favorite record of last year, and has proven to be one of the strongest releases in Priest's entire discography. If they disband after this one, they will have left us with one of the best metal releases of the 2010's.
Best Solo: Never the Heroes
Best Track: Firepower |
| 4 |  | Judas Priest
Sin After Sin
Okay, "Last Rose of Summer" is pretty lame, but everything else fucking slays. The session drummer they got for this release is phenomenal, and their transition into heavier territory proved to be a monumental step into the creation of the Speed and Thrash metal genres.
Best Solo: Sinner
Best Track: Dissident Aggressor |
| 3 |  | Judas Priest
Sad Wings of Destiny
Probably the best metal album of the 70's alongside Master of Reality and Rising.
Best Solo: Dreamer Deceiver
Best Track: The Ripper |
| 2 |  | Judas Priest
Painkiller
Can't say anything about this one that already hasn't been said. About as close to a perfect record as you can get.
Best Solo: Painkiller
Best Track: Touch of Evil |
| 1 |  | Judas Priest
Defenders of the Faith
My favorite Judas Priest album just so happens to be my all-time favorite album as well. This was the album that got me into metal, and nothing has ever topped it since.
Best Solo: The Sentinel
Best Track: Tracks 1-10 |
|
