The modern idea of “heavy metal” starts here. Judas Priest’s seminal sophomore album Sad Wings Of Destiny laid down the template for countless others to follow with its evil, slashing riffs, demonic guitar duels and the screaming, theatrical vocals of the one-and-only Rob Halford. This 1976 album contains four peerless classics in the humungous Victim Of Changes, the thrashing Genocide, Tyrant and the malevolent The Ripper. And, while less innovative, the deep cuts like the orchestral Prelude, psychedelic Dreamer Deceiver and the funereal Epitaph give the album a mournful, gothic construction that makes this the Priest to hear if you’re a crucifix-necklaced, flare-wearing, doom metal type. Supposedly the album’s A and B sides were accidentally reversed on initial release so we’ve all been listening to it in the wrong order. But it doesn’t matter. Listen to this any way you like: forwards, backwards, up, down, shuffle. Either way it’s a masterpiece. Actually… maybe avoid listening to it backwards. Just in case.
[Judas Priest – Genocide]
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
I have heard it plenty in both orders. Same with Kiss Dynasty actually– my tape had the sides flipped. I think in many ways this could be Priest’s very best, I mean what can I add here? Not much!
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Yeah I think it could be their best too. It’s up there certainly!
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I’ve been playing Sin After Sin quite a bit lately too. It’s close.
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Was always a big Stained Class fan too. Les Binks!
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Yeah I have that in regular rotation too. However Sin After Sin is getting more spins because of that killer bonus track Race With the Devil!
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That’s a belter!
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One of those things that, frankly I’m amazed never saw the light of day until the CD age.
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This post does not show up in my reader yet i was notified about it in my gmail account?!
Last week I was in Spam Hell at MR 867 5309 ..err sorry I meant Mr 1538’s site and now HMO is invisible on my Reader!
What gives man…
I like how you can review this stuff in a paragraph! Well Done…
I have to track down a copy of this album at some point…
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Thought you’d have this one for sure! One to add to your growing vinyl collection. Cool cover and you can start it on side B!
Dunno what’s going on with the reader. Showed up on mine OK.
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Think I’m going to have too now for sure…
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Actually, I don’t see on my reader either so it’s not just you!
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Bizarro
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Classic!
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Somehow missed this one. Sorrio! You got me curious about this one… especially so given you and Mike are talking about it being their best (say what!? Haven’t you guys heard SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE!!!!!!!!!???????)
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I’d take a bunch of albums over Screaming… Stained Class, Killing Machine. Prefer their 70s stuff.
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I don’t really know much before the 80’s stuff, but obviously Screaming… is my favourite. First Priest album I heart start to finish, too. So I guess maybe I’m always gonna opt for that one.
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Nowt wrong with Screaming. Earlier stuff just edges it for me though so Sad Wings, Stained Class and Killing Machine get more love here.
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Right then. I’ll hit up Sad Wings… I need a wee hit of Judas Priest, actually.
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And this isn’t just better than Screaming it’s more important by a magnitude. One of the most seminal metal records ever laid down.
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Duly noted. I’ll get to getting!
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Love this album! Still need to add it to the vinyl collection. Just waiting for a tasty price drop.
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Harrison’s gonna flip his shit when he reads this. Poor guy doesn’t like this album. He’s krazy.
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Each to their own. Maybe it’ll grow on him. I took a while to get used to it cause I had heard the faster Unleashed versions first.
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He doesn’t like the high notes. To each their own, unless it’s Sad Wings. It’s mandatory liking!
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Harrison is really going to dislike the rest of the content I have lined up this week.
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Maximum Priest, eh?
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I was planning on doing Mercyful Fate/King Diamond reviews when I’m done with the R.E.M. series. I know Harrison will hate those too, because high vocals are too much for his ears. Must remind of him of the sound of crying baby kangaroos or something.
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