Halford's tremendous vocal range rips through the speakers supported by the twin lead guitars. Dark, doom laden, downright evil riffs drive this record. The cornerstone record that defined and solidified the Priest sound. This is a monumental piece of work and the beginning of the band's golden age in the 1970s, an era that has yet to be equaled in quality. Without this album, the NWOBHM would not have been possible and subsequently, the thrash, speed, power and later, death metal genres. The album opener, "Victim of Changes" would effectively set up the band's career and remains arguably the best song they ever wrote. Judas Priest establish themselves in a unique position setting a bar impossibly high with complex songwriting, intricate musicianship and a vocalist that sounded unlike any other up until that point in time. After the initial rush of bands that emerged in 1970 out of Great Britain, this was the next most crucial development in the genre and it was spearheaded by one band. This was a pivotal moment in the history of heavy metal. I failed, but many of the earlier albums are classics in their own right. Like many people I know who came to Priest after their 80s heyday, Painkiller blew me away and I spent a long time trying to find another entry in their catalogue to rival it. The production sounds as good today as it did back then. I had heard a couple of Priest album despite my young age (6 years), but when I heard this, I was completely blown away by the hard and fast paced sound, not to mention the darker themes. I actually came to this page to see if there is any album nearly as good as Painkiller and I would ignore any top ten list making British Steel #1. I always thought Judas Priest sucked as I only ever heard songs from British Steal and the like, which could as well be done by softies like KISS! This album is the definition of Heavy Metal. Painkiller is the Greatest Metal Album of all time. Painkiller is not the greatest Judas Priest album. I couldn't find a song on here that I didn't like. Electric Eye, Screaming for Vengeance and You've Got Another Thing Coming are all classics for sure, but let's not forget other great tracks like Bloodstone, Riding on the Wind and Pain and Pleasure. From start to finish this is the best Priest album in my opinion. To me this album cemented their legacy though they've continued to put out great music. Hard to believe they put this out the year after Point of Entry (which is underrated by the way). If you think this was the best album, then do not start screaming for vengeance. First there was British Steel, and then there was Painkiller. If you thought this was the best album, then you've got another thing coming. It set the tone for all their other albums to follow. Although this album is ranked number 2, for me it is their best album. Screaming For Vengeance followed by You Got Another Thing Coming really got me into metal. I never heard anything like up until that point. When I first heard this album at the age of 14 I was blown away.
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