Review Summary: A great first plunge into a hybrid of hard rock and heavy metal, that would define the start of a new era for Judas Priest.
After releasing a debut that was more of a rock record, an early metal masterpiece and two great follow-ups that would further explore Judas Priest’s unique brand of heavy metal, the band was not going to do endless amounts of touring. Instead, they began working on their fifth album
Killing Machine, which was already released in 1978, the same year as their previous studio offering
Stained Class. Things were different this time around though. The band had just become used to their now-famous ‘leather-and-studs’ image, which was pioneered by vocalist Rob Halford and would be adapted by many (metal) bands to come, including NWOBHM-pioneers
Saxon.
The image was not the only thing that changed. With it came a take on music that was very different, aimed towards the American market at the time. Priest’s sound would become far more mainstream than it had been before, as well as more hard rock-orientated than on their previous releases. At the end of 1978 the band released their fifth album Killing Machine (re-titled
Hell Bent for Leather in the U.S.). The band’s new sound and image would be continued for quite a few albums to come, including the famous follow-up
British Steel, and was the start of a new era for Judas Priest.
Killing Machine’s Judas Priest was:
- Robert John Arthur Halford ~ Vocals
- Kenneth Downing Jr. ~ Lead Guitar
- Glenn Raymond Tipton ~ Lead Guitar
- Ian Frank Hill ~ Bass Guitar
- James Leslie Binks ~ Drums
Abandoning the straightforward heavy metal style seems not to be an immediate problem, as Killing Machine is loaded with great new material. Lyrics tend to be simpler as well (think back to
Rocka Rolla). Opener
Delivering the Goods is a right showcase for the new sound overall, with its guitar that bends heavily towards hard rock and away from heavy metal. The other notable difference is Halford, who is not employing his trademark high-pitched vocals as much as he did, especially compared to Stained Class. Similar tracks such as
Hell Bent for Leather,
Burnin’ Up and
Running Wild follow this path as well, and while not doing too much to stand out and being pretty generic hard rock songs, they are still a very enjoyable listen. The difference that sets apart Judas Priest from other bands in these generically-structured songs is the core of the band: Downing’s and Tipton’s guitars, and Halford distinctive and powerful voice.
As for the stinkers though, they really stink. The semi-ballad
Evening Star is far too repetitive and has a horribly cheesy chorus, and full ballad
Before the Dawn is a cringe-worthy offering (so far, Priest has not shown to have an incredible talent for ballads). Absolute low point is
Take on the World, which thrives to be a powerful anthem, but falls flat on its face with a distasteful and ridiculous chorus, lyrically and in the way it is sung:
Quote:
Put yourself in our hands, so our voices can be heard,
And together we will take on all the world.
Put yourself in our hands, so our voices can be heard,
And together we will take on all the world.
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That does not mean that Killing Machine’s songs have no features that set them apart, as many have a unique feel to them.
Rock Forever has a pleasantly blues-sounding main riff, the title track has great thumping, and closer
Evil Fantasies has Halford once again employing an excellent snarl. High point is the
Fleetwood Mac cover,
The Green Malanishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown), which gets a full metallic makeover with fantastic results. Ironically, it is actually one of the more metal-sounding songs on the album, and a cover Priest would play live for many times to come.
In the end, it’s all up to you whether you like Killing Machine or not. For those who want hardcore metul, they should pass on it. For those who like Judas Priest’s hard rock-era, this is an excellent offering despite being lightly inconsistent. Simple and straightforward at most times, but thoroughly enjoyable.
+ Simpler than Priest’s other work but still appealing
+ The band’s new sound and image seems to suit them just as well
- Not for the metal purist
- 3 absolute stinkers
Recommended tracks:
The Green Malanishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)
Delivering the Goods
Evil Fantasies
Rock Forever
