Judas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
Genre - Heavy Metal
Rob Halford - vocals
Glenn Tipton - guitar
K.K. Downing - guitar
Ian Hill - bass guitar
Alan Moore - drums
Judas Priest is a band that every true metalhead has heard of at least once. They were among one of the leaders of the New Way of British Heavy Metal in the 1980s along with bands such as Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, and Diamond Head. As stated this was in the 1980s, what most people don't realize is that Judas Priest was around way before this. The band formed in 1969 and released their debut album Rocka Rolla in 1974. Their debut album possessed possible potential, however the album itself was not so great and many songs were not well organized. In 1976 Judas Priest released their second studio album titled Sad Wings of Destiny. Some very impressive material was released on that album and was very well organized, written, catchy, and at times experimental. It doesn't hurt that the album was heavy as well as melodic throughout the songs. No band at the time released anything like this, not even heavy metal's founding band Black Sabbath. Many Judas Priest albums before 1979 were dark sounding and to addition the lyrics were more well written.
Victim of Changes - The song begins with a guitar harmony from both Downing and Tipton that leads into a face melting riff. After a few minutes everyone stops and Halford sings the opening lyrics, after he is done the main riff comes back in. The song is pretty much a riffs of awesomeness. After the chorus comes another cool riff that leads back into the verse. There is a bridge section after the second chorus that leads into the first solo which is played by Downing, the solo is nothing special but it is decent. There is a softer section where Halford begins to sing, very well done it leads back to the riff. Halford now lets out a scream saying "Victim of Changes" which he holds for a good while, then Tipton does a well done guitar solo that fits the song great. The song finishes with Halford screaming "No" a couple of times before ending on a power chord. An amazing opener, best song on the album, possible the best heavy metal song of the 1970s, and one of the best heavy metal songs of all time. 10/10
The Ripper - Downing and Tipton begin this song with a louder yet shorter guitar harmony than the previous song, and Halford begins to sing right away after it. The verse is build up of power chords and the chorus is similar at that. The song is more centered around Halford's vocals than the instruments. There is a solo on here but it's nothing worth noting. After the solo there is a pretty cool build up that leads us back into the verse, the song ends on Halford's scream. An alright song but nothing that gets you excited over. 7.5/10
Dreamer Deceiver - This is a rather soft song that begins with a guitar chord being played, Halford soon begins singing very melodically. One of the things I really like about this song is how it showcases Halford's ability to sing, showing that he can actually hit high notes by singing rather than screaming. Halford shows he can sing quite low on here as well. The song stays the same practically throughout the song until Halford starts to sing a bit more heavy metal like, and then a beautiful solo begins. The song ends with Halford singing some more high notes and then a quick piano fill that leads right into the next song. This song is simply beautiful, among the best on the album. 10/10
Deceiver - Entering where the first part exited comes in the Deceiver. The whole song is basically a Judas Priest riff fest. Some great vocals by Halford prepare to finish the song, once you think it's finish however there is an acoustic outro that sounds really nice that goes well with this song. "Deceiver" is a really good song but it just can not compare with the "Dreamer Deceiver". 9/10
Prelude - This a short two minute instrumental being played by Downing on piano. This introduction to the next track has a nice little epic feeling to it, however it's not really needed.
Tyrant - Coming off the previous introduction is this song, which starts with a moderately fast guitar intro that sounds pretty cool. In this song it sounds as if Halford's vocals were recorded twice, it seems as if he one recorded part of him singing is singing over another recorded section of him singing. This is also done during the bridge section where one of Halford's recorded voices is singing an octave higher than the other. The solo on this song is quite good and enjoyable nonetheless. This song ends with another insane scream from Halford, good sing to head bang to and at the same time has melody. 10/10
Genocide - Well this next song right here sounds like it would have been on their debut album, as it sounds more hard rock than heavy metal. This song really doesn't have anything worth noting. First the lyrics well they are not anything to criticize they are also nothing to praise either, and the riffs on here are ranging from okay to good. An alright song there is nothing that really stands out here. 6.5/10
Epitaph - Probably the most experimental song on the album and overall by the band. This is not something you see every day, the song is a vocal and piano duet from a heavy metal band. Halford of course doing the vocals while Tipton is playing the piano, this is something real special. One might be asking a piano duet from a heavy metal band? Is it good at all? The answer is yes. Halford shows some very impressive choir like singing while Downing plays a beautiful piano, this is very soothing and relaxing to hear. Quite a successful risk taken by the band on this song pays off. 9.5/10
Island of Domination - "Epitaph" leads right into "Island of Domination". This song is filled with great things that have been on songs on the album. Halford is really superb when he is on his game, and he is on it great. Downing and Tipton deliver some very good riffing. Good choice for a closing track to end a great album. 10/10
Overall: To people who only know Judas Priestby songs off of British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, or Painkiller, this will be a very different experience to hear. Albums by the band before 1979 were dark and the lyrics were well written. Among the albums released by the new mainstream success Judas Priest released in the 1980s, many were pretty bad such as Point of Entry, Turbo, and Ram it Down just to name a few. In 1990 they released arguable their heaviest album Painkiller. Sad Wings of Destiny contains a far different sound from the band from their future releases, this is not a bad thing though as this album is very well done and very good. Sad Wings of Destiny is no doubt in my mind the band's best album of the 1970s. If you're a true metal head, you'll go out of your way to give this a listen.
Genre - Heavy Metal
Rob Halford - vocals
Glenn Tipton - guitar
K.K. Downing - guitar
Ian Hill - bass guitar
Alan Moore - drums
Judas Priest is a band that every true metalhead has heard of at least once. They were among one of the leaders of the New Way of British Heavy Metal in the 1980s along with bands such as Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, and Diamond Head. As stated this was in the 1980s, what most people don't realize is that Judas Priest was around way before this. The band formed in 1969 and released their debut album Rocka Rolla in 1974. Their debut album possessed possible potential, however the album itself was not so great and many songs were not well organized. In 1976 Judas Priest released their second studio album titled Sad Wings of Destiny. Some very impressive material was released on that album and was very well organized, written, catchy, and at times experimental. It doesn't hurt that the album was heavy as well as melodic throughout the songs. No band at the time released anything like this, not even heavy metal's founding band Black Sabbath. Many Judas Priest albums before 1979 were dark sounding and to addition the lyrics were more well written.
Victim of Changes - The song begins with a guitar harmony from both Downing and Tipton that leads into a face melting riff. After a few minutes everyone stops and Halford sings the opening lyrics, after he is done the main riff comes back in. The song is pretty much a riffs of awesomeness. After the chorus comes another cool riff that leads back into the verse. There is a bridge section after the second chorus that leads into the first solo which is played by Downing, the solo is nothing special but it is decent. There is a softer section where Halford begins to sing, very well done it leads back to the riff. Halford now lets out a scream saying "Victim of Changes" which he holds for a good while, then Tipton does a well done guitar solo that fits the song great. The song finishes with Halford screaming "No" a couple of times before ending on a power chord. An amazing opener, best song on the album, possible the best heavy metal song of the 1970s, and one of the best heavy metal songs of all time. 10/10
The Ripper - Downing and Tipton begin this song with a louder yet shorter guitar harmony than the previous song, and Halford begins to sing right away after it. The verse is build up of power chords and the chorus is similar at that. The song is more centered around Halford's vocals than the instruments. There is a solo on here but it's nothing worth noting. After the solo there is a pretty cool build up that leads us back into the verse, the song ends on Halford's scream. An alright song but nothing that gets you excited over. 7.5/10
Dreamer Deceiver - This is a rather soft song that begins with a guitar chord being played, Halford soon begins singing very melodically. One of the things I really like about this song is how it showcases Halford's ability to sing, showing that he can actually hit high notes by singing rather than screaming. Halford shows he can sing quite low on here as well. The song stays the same practically throughout the song until Halford starts to sing a bit more heavy metal like, and then a beautiful solo begins. The song ends with Halford singing some more high notes and then a quick piano fill that leads right into the next song. This song is simply beautiful, among the best on the album. 10/10
Deceiver - Entering where the first part exited comes in the Deceiver. The whole song is basically a Judas Priest riff fest. Some great vocals by Halford prepare to finish the song, once you think it's finish however there is an acoustic outro that sounds really nice that goes well with this song. "Deceiver" is a really good song but it just can not compare with the "Dreamer Deceiver". 9/10
Prelude - This a short two minute instrumental being played by Downing on piano. This introduction to the next track has a nice little epic feeling to it, however it's not really needed.
Tyrant - Coming off the previous introduction is this song, which starts with a moderately fast guitar intro that sounds pretty cool. In this song it sounds as if Halford's vocals were recorded twice, it seems as if he one recorded part of him singing is singing over another recorded section of him singing. This is also done during the bridge section where one of Halford's recorded voices is singing an octave higher than the other. The solo on this song is quite good and enjoyable nonetheless. This song ends with another insane scream from Halford, good sing to head bang to and at the same time has melody. 10/10
Genocide - Well this next song right here sounds like it would have been on their debut album, as it sounds more hard rock than heavy metal. This song really doesn't have anything worth noting. First the lyrics well they are not anything to criticize they are also nothing to praise either, and the riffs on here are ranging from okay to good. An alright song there is nothing that really stands out here. 6.5/10
Epitaph - Probably the most experimental song on the album and overall by the band. This is not something you see every day, the song is a vocal and piano duet from a heavy metal band. Halford of course doing the vocals while Tipton is playing the piano, this is something real special. One might be asking a piano duet from a heavy metal band? Is it good at all? The answer is yes. Halford shows some very impressive choir like singing while Downing plays a beautiful piano, this is very soothing and relaxing to hear. Quite a successful risk taken by the band on this song pays off. 9.5/10
Island of Domination - "Epitaph" leads right into "Island of Domination". This song is filled with great things that have been on songs on the album. Halford is really superb when he is on his game, and he is on it great. Downing and Tipton deliver some very good riffing. Good choice for a closing track to end a great album. 10/10
Overall: To people who only know Judas Priestby songs off of British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, or Painkiller, this will be a very different experience to hear. Albums by the band before 1979 were dark and the lyrics were well written. Among the albums released by the new mainstream success Judas Priest released in the 1980s, many were pretty bad such as Point of Entry, Turbo, and Ram it Down just to name a few. In 1990 they released arguable their heaviest album Painkiller. Sad Wings of Destiny contains a far different sound from the band from their future releases, this is not a bad thing though as this album is very well done and very good. Sad Wings of Destiny is no doubt in my mind the band's best album of the 1970s. If you're a true metal head, you'll go out of your way to give this a listen.
