Customer Reviews

Painkiller

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me just start off by saying that as truly great as this record is what was even greater was the statement that the band had made at the time it was released. Let us not forget that a very short time before this the band was beginning to shift in a very different direction, resulting in the albums "turbo" and "ram it down". Even though I'd have to give the band some credit to have had the guts to attract a wider audience even to the point of selling out, I for one don't buy into that whole trying to experiment with "different sounds". I think they knew exactly what they were trying to do and to their credit were successful. And honestly, especially with Rob back at the helm, it's a lot easier to say that now in 2005 then it was back in 1987. But regardless it was still a big letdown for the older fans who always knew what the Priest were really all about and still are....simply THE GREATEST HEAVY METAL BAND OF ALL TIME!!!! It was also around this critical time that thrash was beginning to reach a much wider audience. Bands such as Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer had become huge and were viewed as up and coming and the "true" metal of the time, leaving Priest somewhat in the dust. And on top of all that they had become entagled in a very contraversial court case where their music was being accused but ultimately found not guilty of causing the deaths of two teenagers. As tragic as this was the Metal Gods still didn't let anything get in the way of as K.K. Downing had put it, "progressing naturally". The result was this absolute masterpiece and landmark album which is beyond a return to form to probably the most aggressive album they've ever made!! I don't want to call it thrash but it certainly contains some of the fastest songs they've ever done, the title track being one of them. The one part of the band that I always thought could have been better was the drumming. Not that any of them were "bad" but when you hear the work Scott Travis does on this it kinda makes you think twice about the direction the band would have taken had he joined Priest maybe 4 or 5 years earlier. The guitar work is simply amazing in terms of not only speed and aggression but above all chemistry between K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton thet they hadn't exhibited since Defenders of the Faith. Vocally, Rob Halford just takes it to another level and really compliments the heavier and harder style of priest that he seems to have been comfortable with ever since. Ian Hill is as solid as ever. If you are a true metal fan you probably already have this, if not you don't know what you're missing!!!! Can't wait till their new album Angel Of Retribution!! THE PRIEST IS BACK!!!!!!!!!

I have read the reviews on this board, and I agree with every single one, except several that only rated it with four stars instead of five. I could go into detail here and explain why it so deserves 5 stars, but many here have already done an excellent job reviewing it. My additons would only be redundant.

I bought this album back in 1990 when it was first released. 11 years later and I still consider it is one of metal's all time champions.

I have always liked Priest, and Rob Halford is one of them truly original singers that stands head and toes above all others, and as all metal fans know, there is lots of great metal vocalists out there.

I like most, if not all of JPs releases, but Painkiller has got to be arguably their crowning achievement, or magnum opus. All previous releases have at least two really creative songs on them, but this album is simply KILLER from beginning to end.

I just played it in my car on the way to work this morning. I hadn't heard it in about 16 months. It sounded just as fresh today as it did 11 years ago. I had my stereo cranked as LOUD AS IT WOULD GO, and found myself speeding way beyond the speed limit, head banging, and singing at the top of my lungs the best I could to Halford's scorching vocal passages.

Listening to this album VERY loud when in need for a metal fix, is just as satisfying as consuming a large, thick, New York strip, or T-bone steak with a tall, cold brew when you are two-days hungry.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

Heavy Metal worshippers unite: THE PRIEST IS KING!

Don't have a lot that needs to be said about this one except "It's good". The tempo is faster than most other Judas Priest and the drumming is killer, every thing is working. Vocals are good guitar work is good, oh, there's a bass too? Just kidding the bass playing is good too. The fast songs rock, especially "Painkiller" and the slow(er) songs are good too, check out "Touch of Evil" both classics. Good cd, Good band, go get it, ok?

I was very disappointed in this album when it first came out, but I think that was only because I was still in college in my party mode, listening to all the chick-metal bands like Poison, Warrant, etc. Priest had remained one of my favorites, but I suppose I was looking for them to bust out and become a really big name with huge radio hits, which they had attempted and failed with "Turbo" (considered by many to be their worst album, but one of my favs by far). I suppose I wanted a Judas Priest album to play at parties and share with my friends of tamer musical tastes, and this one obviously wasn't going to be it.

It has since become one of my favorites. If you can completely tune out the cartoonish lyrics and song titles, it is a great slab of metal, an excellent recapturing of the band's past glories, and an appropriate swan song to the Rob Halford era (he'll be back, trust me). It is not without its duds, in fact I think the lead-off single "Painkiller" has a pretty weak chorus after building up with great drums and guitars. "Metal Meltdown" is only marginally better, don't know why that one was selected for "Metal Works `73-`93". Everything else sounds great, Halford's voice is pristine as always, and the production by newcomer Chris Tsangarides adds a new dimension after so many years with Tom Allom at the board.

Recommended cuts -"A Touch of Evil" (basically a reworking of "Night Comes Down" from "Defenders"), "One Shot At Glory", "Between The Hammer & The Anvil", "All Guns Blazing", and "Hell Patrol".

God damn it, this is the best effin' Priest album ever made. It's hard, it's heavy, but still delivered with the same class that classic Priest has to offer. This is also one of the few times when a metal band updates their sound and IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD.

1. Painkiller - Tasty 6 minute opening number, the drumming at the beginning is very rockin' and despite the positive subject matter, this song is heavier than hell 2. Hell Patrol - Nice drum part at the beginning, this is also a very desireable number, although it is mid-paced 3. All Guns Blazing - Kinda cheesy, but that does not deter the rest of the album 4. Leather Rebel - Short and sweet, this is an anthem for all bikers 5. Metal Meltdown - Now, THIS is some crazy stuff. Thrashin' tempos with frenetic solos; if you are not getting in on the action, you probably have died 6. Nightcrawler - Sinister stuff with Slayer-esque lyrical content. Notables include the solo, which imps the verse vocal melody and the spoken word part. When Halford snarls "Souls ascend to heaven, while they feast on flesh and blood" it sends shivers down your spine 7. Between The Hammer And The Anvil - Another great song, an anthemic number with a big chorus and a tasty intro/outro 8. Touch Of Evil - Transylvanian style synths and twisted love lyrics are a nice change of pace. 9. Battle Hymn - A great instrumental, serves well as an intro to the next track 10. One Shot At Glory - 6 minutes and 47 seconds are enough to take you through a long battle that was won, and when on the outro, you hear Rob scream "I still hear the battle cry, I still see the banners fly", it leaves the listener desiring MORE.

Painkiller is one of the definitive metal albums out there today. A must-have for any metal fan!

I've bought this CD almost two months ago.I must have given it at least 100 spins by now and I know I'll give it gladly 1000 spins more without hestitation.A must have for every true metal fan.

"This IS the PAINKILLER"...So claimed the title track of Priest's comeback album. After the creative nadir of the `Twin Turbos' project, Judas Priest limped into the Nineties without a hint of the aural assault that they would produce to open the decade.

Straddling both the American thrash brigade led by Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer and hair metal, Priest seemed to be at a crossroads and threatened with irrelevancy. In stepped new drummer Scott Travis (a Yank!) who became the catalyst for the band's best example of technical brilliance combined with ferocious assault since the late Seventies. Travis' brilliant double bass speed metal playing completely energized the legendary duo of Glenn Tipton and KK Downing to create their most brutal riffs and stunning leads to date. In addition, the greatest voice in metal was in top form - Robert Halford, who sang as if possessed by the fires of hell. `Painkiller' would be their best album since `Screaming for Vengeance' as the band seemed to wipe away most of their mid to late Eighties mediocrity. However, it was not as many fans and critics would have you believe, their best record. Though the music was definitely killer, the lyrical content was of the same clichéd territory as much of their `80's material. Faves include the title track which without a doubt belongs in the sacred pantheon of metal recordings and is easily one of the band's greatest triumphs! It stands as both a call to arms and a statement of intent (move over young guns, this is how the masters do it). Others such as "All Guns Blazing", "Metal Meltdown", "Night Crawler" and "Leather Rebel" show Priest at the top of the game. Unfortunately a four star album is not five stars and `Painkiller' is let down by the much of the last half of the record. Technically flawless songs with lame lyrics include "Hammer and Anvil", "One Shot at Glory" and "Touch of Evil" (never quite dug this one). All good songs yes but again not great ones. `Painkiller''s legacy will rest one the monstrous title track and the fact that at least temporarily it brought Priest back as a REAL metal band. Alas, it prove to be an end to an era as Halford left the band soon after the supporting tour and Judas Priest would be on hiatus for much of the rest of the decade...until Ripper showed up...but the magic was still missing...

One thing is for sure, this is one of the best albums in the early 90's and of the best of all time in the Judas catalog. This is heavy metal in the simplest and pure form. The guitar complexity here is the main point on the album, Tipton and K.K. Downing never stops to impress me, both are great musicians and Rob Halford great as always improves why is the best metal vocalist of all time along with Bruce Dickinson and James Hetfield. This album is essential!!!

Bone crushing, mind numbing...this album kicks soooo much a**. Glenn and KK reached their peak here. The solos positively rip...I can't really think of a twin guitar attack that packs as much punch (save for Mustaine & Friedman on Rust In Peace).

The singing and drumming is also awesome.

Top notch effort, possibly Priest's best. Can't go wrong with this one, folks.