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“Metal God” Rob Halford turned the big 6-0 this week and since that happens to coincide with me delving back into my heavy metal roots, I give you my top 10 Halford-fronted albums.
Judas Priest – British Steel (Columbia) 1980
Much like my Motörhead list from last week, I start with a gimme from 1980. This began the creative apex of Priest and garnered their greatest track.
Judas Priest – Ram It Down (Columbia) 1988
Not usually among their best historically but I find tracks 2 through 9 rock solid and “Hard As Iron,” is one of my favorite songs of theirs.
Judas Priest – Screaming For Vengeance (Columbia) 1982
“Electric Eye,” kicks off the meat of this ripping effort. Burger King ad aside (“You Got Another Thing Comin’,”), this is as consistent album as you’re likely to find in metal.
Judas Priest – Defenders Of The Faith (Columbia) 1984
Not a throwaway in the bunch. Its only fault is that it plateaus. There is no one blow you into the stratosphere song but it has no lows either.
Halford – Resurrection (Metal-is) 2000
Here is the reason that this isn’t just a Judas Priest list. Halford finally found a lineup that showed that he could be vital outside of Priest. I like producer/guitarist/songwriter Roy Z’s influence on Rob, as well as his work with Bruce Dickinson, who duets with Halford on the awesome “The One You Love To Hate,”.
Judas Priest – Point Of Entry (Columbia) 1981
POE is victimized by being in between British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance. This album would be the high watermark for most other bands.
Judas Priest – Turbo (Columbia) 1986
If you were with me before this entry, this may be where you get off the bandwagon. Is Turbo cheesier than other JP albums? Is it more commercial sounding? Certainly. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some gems here.
Judas Priest – Nostradamus (Epic) 2008
Concept albums. Love ‘em or hate ‘em (mostly hate them). Even though half of the album is subpar, Nostradamus benefits by the fact that there are sooooo many songs. Pared down, there is definitely a fine album in there.
Judas Priest – Painkiller (Columbia) 1990
The popular title track bugs me more than a little bit. But once I get past that, there is some real quality including the nearly perfect “A Touch Of Evil,”.
Judas Priest – Sin After Sin (Columbia) 1977
Roger Glover’s production ensured that this is the least metal sounding album on the list. When Halford goes upper register on “Sinner”, it almost reminds me of Styx. That being said, the Joan Baez cover (of all things) is excellent and there are a few other very good songs as well.
