Customer Reviews

Hero, Hero

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Here's the deal with Hero Hero; this is a remix of the Rocka Rolla album, with most of the Sad Wings trax, (The Ripper was on the Double Album), and one oddball track (Diamonds and Rust). Diamonds and Rust is NOT the version from Sin after Sin. It's probably from the Sad Wings sessions. Hero Hero is a must because the Remixed Rocka Rolla album is 1000 times better than the released version. The "Winter" suite is a prime example. Deep Freeze in particular is a very atmospheric track that actually sounds as if your in the midst of a blizzard. Not on the regular Rocka Rolla though. The re-re-re-re-re-release of Rocka Rolla was, is, and always will be [bad]. So do yourself a favor and get Hero Hero, its the way Rocka Rolla is SUPPOSED to sound. Danny

If you like early Priest, buy Genocide. It has both Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny in their entirety(the only thing it does NOT have is the original album artwork). Not leaving out important tracks like The Ripper, for pete's sake!!! How could you leave out The Ripper? And what about Island of Domination? I feel sorry for anyone that bought this that is unfamiliar with Priest. They got jipped and didn't even know it. These are my favorite albums by Priest and I hate to see them butchered like this... And what about the order of the songs? Why would they mess with that too? Do youself a favor and buy either Genocide, or if you like to have the original artwork, buy Rocka Rolla and Sad wings of Destiny seperately.

This album is a MUST for any Priest fan, as well as a pleasant surprise for the aforementioned fan that thinks that Priest only came about in the early 80's. This album contains all of Rocka Rolla (1974), most of Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) and one track from Sin After Sin (1977). The album is not really a "heavy metal" album, rather it is a good rock album that contains traces of blues. In fact, Glenn Tipton's main influences were Cream, Hendrix, and John Mayall. There is not an overdose of distortion and noise that would serve to detract from the songs and their lyrics. In fact, the "cleanliness" and simplicity of the songs really shows the talent of the band, and why Priest was and is a major force in rock and heavy metal. The early Priest songs deal with rather unique issues, such as World War 1 trench warfare (Dying to Meet You), political despotism (Tyrant), and the effects of aging (Run of the Mill, which is a truly beautiful and haunting ballad that shows Halford's incredible vocal range). The album also contains the original studio versions of "Victim of Changes", "Genocide", and Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust" which continue to be live Priest staples to this day. I do not understand how people CANNOT like this album. Being a rather uncommon Priest album, only Priest fans would buy it. They should be awe-stricken with it's power after only a few minutes of listening. But, I guess that is just me... But, if you are a true Priest fan (or claim to be), do yourself a favor and pick this one up! It is a real treat to behold.

This is another attempt by Gull records/Transluxe to cash in on the Judas Priest name. Check out the Priest website. This is a substandard, unauthorized reissue of the first two JP records Rocka Rolla ans Sad Wings Of Destiny which are still available through Cdnow/Amazon.The sound quality sucks and there in no new material on this that isn't on the actual albums. Be careful what you buy and don't get ripped off. Support Judas Priest, the best heavy metal band of all time, and don't waste your money on this crap. Buy the real thing, Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings Of Destiny

This album is not the original it is a knock-off version by Koch records aka Gull records. I think Judas Priest is awesome, but if you want the first two albums, do yourself and the band a favor and search a little more for the originals.

If you don't believe me just look up the relationship between Koch records and Gull records. You'll find that Koch is a division of Gull. And as far as this album being a knock-off just check out Judas Priest's own web site, and click on discography. The band tells you themselves if you scrolll down to the bottomm of the page.

This release (against Judas Priest's wishes) is a compilation of material off of Judas Priests first two albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny. If you are looking to buy some of priest's early material you would be better off just buying their albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny in order to get all the songs. This release just seems to be aimed to gain more money out the Judas Priest name. The "company" also released another compilation off of material off of Priest's first two albums entitled "The Best of Judas Priest". Do not fall for this gimmick either. Go to Judas Priests website under the disography section and the band themselves complain about these two releases. They stated they wanted to take legal action but it is impossible to do so. As fans just don't buy this gimmick garbage. Peace out.

This is a great way to introduce yourself to Rocka Rolla, SWoD, and early Priest in general. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get into the best band in the '70s and most of the 80's.

Dreamer Deciever is simply classic, anyone who can listen to this song and not totally love it is not seeing the point of Priest...

I say get this, Rocka Rolla, SWoD, Sin after Sin, and Hell Bent for Leather. The Hero Hero compilation will give you a different perspective on Rocka Rolla/SWoD, and the others will solidify Priest as one of your favorite bands.

This is a great collection of early Judas Priest songs. As many have explained before me, this is a re-release of "Rocka Rolla" with most of "Sad Wings of Destiny" and one track from "Sin After Sin." More than any other Priest album, I think this one clearly shows their roots and influences and the beginning of their own distinctive sound. My only problem is with the recording of "Victim of Changes," which is one of my favorite Priest songs. The track sounds a bit muddy compared to the other tracks from "Sad Wings ..." and even the "Rocka Rolla" tracks included in this collection. The levels on "Victim ..." are noticeably lower than, for example, "Dreamer Deceiver" and "Deceiver," which are also from the "Sad Wings ..." sessions. These two sound crisp and rich in tone compared to "Victim of Changes." I don't have a copy of the "Sad Wings ..." album itself to make a comparison, but if the other "Sad Wings ..." tracks sound good here, then I can only assume that "Victim of Changes" was a victim of production. It's actually quite disappointing that one of their best songs was badly recorded (or remastered) in the studio. They made up for it with the live version in "Unleashed in the East." Nevertheless, this collection is a keeper with strong classic Priest rockers like "Tyrant" and "Genocide," the bottom-heavy "One for the Road," and the ballads "Dreamer Deceiver" and "Run of the Mill."

If you are wondering what early Priest is like...this is a good collection of real early Priest. The only big drawback to the album is that is does not have The Ripper. If you planned on only experimenting with the early works this is a good collection. However I do like Sad Wings Of Destiny even better. Some of the songs are a little mellow for Priest but some will assault your senses...so be prepared...and if you didn't want your senses assaulted in the first place...maybe you should be looking up some other group like Abba.

This was originally released as a doule album when it first came out. It focuses too much on Rocka Rolla and not enought from Sin After Sin. Sad Wings Of Destiny is well represented as it should be. This is not the classic JP sound most are used to. It is a decent way to hear them building their sound.