Description

Judas Priest were one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the 70s, spearheading the New Wave of British Heavy Metal late in the decade. Decked out in leather and chains, the band fused the gothic doom of Black Sabbath with the riffs and speed of Led Zeppelin, as well as adding a vicious two-lead guitar attack; in doing so, they set the pace for much popular heavy metal from 1975 until 1985, as well as laying the groundwork for the speed and death metal of the ’80s. The band were formed in Birmingham, England, in 1970, but things really started to move in the right direction when Chris Campbell and Al Atkins were replaced by vocalist Rob Halford and drummer John Hinch in 1973. After their 1973-1974 tour they were offered a record contract with Gull, an independent U.K. Label, and before recording their debut album, Rocka Rolla, they added guitarist Glenn Tipton. This album starts with 4 live tracks from a BBC session recorded at the 23rd of October 1978. The band had released Stained Class which is easily one of the most important heavy metal albums ever released. This marked the peak of Judas Priest’s influence, setting the sonic template for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal more than any other single recording. This is the point where Priest put it all together, embracing their identity as the heaviest band on the planet and taking the genre to new heights of power, speed, musicality, and malevolence. Not until Painkiller would the band again be this single-minded in its focus on pure heavy metal. The B-side then focus on the early years around the time of their debut album Rocka Rolla. Their debut album was released in September of 1974 to almost no attention. Here you have the rarely heard Mother Sun track recorded live at Sough College in London on October 11th 1975. Not only is this track in itself very rare its also recorded at the first official show drummer Alan Moore (nickname Skip) did with the band. Alan Moore had been in the band in the early stages of 1971 and 1972 but were asked to join again in 1975 when drummer John Hinch left. Then we have two tracks from Old Grey Whiste Test 28th of April 1975 with John Hinch on drums, Rocka Rolla and an early version of Dreamer Deceiver and Deceiver that would be released on Sad Wings Of Destiny the following year. The album ends with another jewel, an early demo track called Whiskey Woman, that the band recorded at Sarm Studios in London in 1973. Parts of this track was re-worked on and became Victim Of Changes a few years later. So much rarities on one album make this a must for any Priest or heavy metal fan

Track list:
1. White Heat, Red Hot
2. Victim Of Changes
3. Beyond The Realms Of Deathmetal
4. Starbreaker
5. Mother Sun
6. Rocka Rolla
7. Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver
8. Whiskey Woman