Judas Priest – British Steel (Release Year – 1980)

I don’t think I could write too many Classic Metal Reviews without mentioning Judas Priest’s British Steel.

British Steel is Judas Priest’s sixth studio effort, and is often consider the band’s best album.

I don’t know if I would call this my favorite Judas Priest disc or not. I have several that I enjoy. One thing is for sure though, British Steel is a must hear, must own Metal record, and was certainly one of the best in the early 80’s.

There isn’t a bad song on the disc, but the stand outs are the Judas Priest anthems, Breaking the Law, Metal Gods, Living After Midnight and Steeler.

Metal Gods

United, Breaking the Law, and Living After Midnight were all released as singles. The latter two are still some of the biggest songs that Judas Priest have ever recorded. The band had similar metal anthems, on Hell Bent for Leather, but British Steel is the first record that was pure metal all the way through.

My copy of this disc is remastered, and adds the tracks Red, White and Blue and Grinder Live! as it was performed on the 1980 British Steel tour. Neither song is essential, but are nice additions to this disc, if you haven’t picked up a copy of it yet.

This disc is still a career defining landmark release Judas Priest, and one that needs to be in the collection of every metalhead on the planet. You can find new and used copies of this disc for very reasonable prices on Amazon.com.

Don’t miss out on this Classic Metal disc!

Rating: Out of 10

Track Listing:
1. Rapid Fire
2. Metal Gods
3. Breaking the Law
4. Grinder
5. United
6. You Don’t Have to Be Old To Be Wise
7. Living After Midnight
8. The Rage
9. Steeler
10. Red, White & Blue
11. Grinder (Live)

Comments

bob_vinyl August 25, 2007 · Reply

I tend to favor Hell Bent for Leather, but British Steel is definite at the top of their catalog.
aXe mAn August 25, 2007 · Reply

Great review Rob! That one is an all time classic!