Customer Reviews

Painkiller

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Following the poor record sales of 1988's attempted but largely unsuccessful comeback, "Ram It Down," Judas Priest tried to win their fans back with their twelfth studio effort, 1990's "Painkiller." Frontman Rob Halford, axemen K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis went about this task by returning to their classic, 1970's style of metal while simultaneously intermixing some techniques from modern, contemporary speed metal bands. The result was a masterful new disc, the heaviest and most musically complex of Judas Priest's career, which successfully won all of the band's fans back, and even gained them many new fans. "Painkiller" is not only the definition of a Nineties' classic; it's a truly wonderful comeback, and easily the best release of Priest's long and storied career. Plus--since it's saturated with fast riffs, scorching leads, extended, technical solos, quick drumming, and Rob's shrieking vocals--many music fans think (justifably so) that "Painkiller" is the epitome of speed metal. It's also one of the most famous and important albums on heavy metal's timeline. Motorhead may have given birth to speed metal, but "Painkiller" has spawned a generation of imitators, so it's equally as influential as anything by, well, any other band. The opening title track sets the mood well for the rest of the songs. It has a fast drum beat and fast churning riffs, as well as Rob's standard, very high pitched vocals, and two sweet guitar solos (the first of which is well over a minute long!) The appropriately titled "All Guns Blazing," has a spectacular, wailing solo which has several different parts to it. The next song, "Leather Rebel," is a very speedy track with an almost buzzsaw rhythm, and track five ("Metal Meltdown") features three back-to-back guitar solos. Other highlights include the memorable chug and churn guitars and thumping drums of "Night Crawler," "Between The Hammer & The Anvil," which is highlighted by yet another lengthy, winding, mazey, three part solo, and, the catchy, mid-paced, stop-start rhythm behind "A Touch Of Evil." Finally, if you buy the remastered version of this album, you get two bonus tracks--"Living Bad Dreams," and a rare, live version of "Leather Rebel"--which are both excellent inclusions in your collection. "Painkiller" is, from front to back, an eargasm. If you're a speed/thrash/classical metal fan, there's almost no record you need more than this one, and if you weren't a Judas Priest fan before, you'll definitely be one now! This has got to be one of the finest metal albums ever recorded, and it is nothing short of being a flawless, genre defining, standard bearing classic.

THE BAND: Rob Halford (vocals), K.K. Downing (guitar), Glenn Tipton (guitar), Ian Hill (bass), Scott Travis (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1990) 10 tracks clocking in at approximately 46 minutes. Included with the disc is a 10-page booklet containing song titles/credits, song lyrics and one black & white band photo. All songs written by Halford/Tipton/Downing. Remastered with bonus tracks and expanded liner notes in 2001 (55 total minutes). Recorded at Miraval Studios (Brignoles, France). Label - Columbia Records.

COMMENTS: "Painkiller" is an ultra large dose of traditional Judas Priest sounds with some speed & thrash metal mixed in. In other words... compared to their previous two albums, the metal messiahs have returned to form! Nothing can compare to the band's early releases ("Stained Glass" though "Screaming For Vengeance") in the late 1970's and early 80's... but "Painkiller" comes close. For me, "Turbo" (1986) and "Ram It Down" (1988) were way to pop, to tame, too much bubblegum - way to happy. "Painkiller" showed the band still had the balls to bang their heads the old school way. Looking back now, "Painkiller" is still a bittersweet album. Rob Halford would officially leave the band in 1991, and Judas Priest was pronounced dead from '91-95... only to resurge in '96 with replacement scab singer, Tim "Ripper" Owens. To me, this was like David Lee Roth leaving Van Halen, or Bruce Dickinson leaving Iron Maiden... maintaining that ANY replacement would simply be unacceptable. Also note long time drummer Dave Holland was out and new skin pounder Scott Travis (from Racer-X) was in - bringing extremely quick feet and lots of heavy double bass. This is an album filled with anger, attitude, shredding guitars, pounding drums, and happily very little keyboards (only on "A Touch Of Evil"). From the 6-minute opening title track to the album closer, "Painkiller" just doesn't let up - no filler to be found. Highlights include the title track, "Metal Meltdown", "Night Crawler" and "A Touch Of Evil" (as it happens, all 4 of these songs were featured on the band's 2-disc '93 compilation "Metal Works"). This may well be Judas Priest's heaviest album - as well as their last essential release (4.5 stars).

1990 was another great year for the world of heavy metal, "Razor's Edge", "No Prayer for the Dying", "Rust in Peace", and who could forget "Painkiller". Alas, the last album Rob Halford would do with Judas Priest. It wouldn't be until another 15 years that he would reunite with his former mates and produce "Angel of Retribution". I must say that Halford left with one heck of a bang. Painkiller is in my opinion Priest heaviest and fastest album to date.

Throughout most of the mid 80s Priest was in a way, was put down a notch by bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer. Up until the debut of bands such as these nobody could touch Priest's speed and aggression, well maybe Iron Maiden comes close. But Judas Priest's albums got a bit more laid back. Don't get me wrong, I do think "Turbo", and "Ram it Down" shred, but the release of "Painkiller" showed the bands of thrash that Priest weren't done yet. This album turned a lot of heads. It gave the reaction like "Wow, who the heck is this?"

Listening to this whole album feels like one is on a motorcycle going 300 miles an hour. All I can say is that my neck hurts for days after I've been head banging to this album. The title track being the opener on the record lets the listener know what they're getting into. There is just not any time to rest. Tracks such as "All Guns Blazing", "Metal Meltdown", "Between the Hammer and the Anvil", and "Night Crawler" are relentless in pounding one's head into submission. Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing's guitar work is top-notch just pure heavy metal greatness. Rob Halford's vocals get so high that ears bleed and windows break.

The only real shocker was that after the release of this phenomenal album Rob Halford would be leaving a couple of years later. Maybe the band wasn't getting along very well at that time, but there was certainly great musical chemistry because there is the release of "Painkiller" to prove it. Almost everything Halford and Judas Priest have released since "Painkiller" has been in my opinion very good. However, I have always yearned for return to the ferocity of "Painkiller".

In my opinion, yes.

Ok, I have been listening to metal for about 18 years, in all its forms.I have a 40gb ipod full to the brim with metal.Entire catalogues of Black Sabbath,Ozzy,Megadeth,Metallica,Slayer,Priest,AC/DC....you get the picture.
The opening track Painkiller on this album stands on the shoulders of everything on my ipod!In my opinion it is EASILY the best heavy metal song I have ever heard.It has everything,and I mean everything! insane drum intro, awesome guitar riffs, the most insane screaming vocals from Rob Halford, utterly absurd lyrics that fit perfectly.Everytime I hear this song I fall to my knees playing an imaginary flying V, pulling a face like someone has just stuck a red hot poker up my ****

The rest of the album is irrelevant because you MUST own this album for the title track alone.

Like I said before, I love all metal, JP is not my favourite band, and this is not my favourite album.But the song Painkiller stands alone as THE song to define all that is great about this genre of music.

Incidentally, Rob's back and they are touring with the Scorpions, I'll be at the front in leathers, cut off denim jacket, Maiden patch (Piece of Mind), arms raised to the heavens.See you there!!

I really enjoyed this album, to me it's as if Rob Halford left us something to remember him by when he left Judas Priest. This is one of the fastest and heaviest album they produced in the 90s, if you are a newcomer to heavy metal then this is the album you should definetly check out. Whenever I am tired, I listen to this album and it fills me up with adreneline.

>>>>>>Not many bands have mastered the art of deception, that is creating two or more different kinds of music (classic metal, thrash) that are very different from each other. When fans listen to their favorite bands' music, after a few seconds they recognize what band it is, whether it be AC/DC, Ozzy, Led Zeppelin, or Iron Maiden (just to list a few examples). However, what we have here within the sheer glory that is "Painkiller", is quite a surprise, but nonetheless a welcome change. In fact, you wouldn't know you were listening to the same classic metal band, Judas Priest, that gave their fans such hits as "Hell Bent For Leather", "British Steel", and "Screaming For Vengeance". Seriously, when the crazy, manaical, opening drum solo burst through my speakers, I had to double-check what band I was listening to, cause it could have passed as a Lamb of God or Shadows Fall piece. Now if that's not talent(making their music sound COMPLETLELY different then what we're used to), then I don't know what is?

Many people have deemed "Painkiller" heavy-as-hades, but at the same time cheesy. If you ask me, "Painkiller" is sparse on the cheesiness and loaded with heavy metal madness, complete with crunching, heavy riffs, blazing and lightning-fast solos, and powerful vocals from one of metal's finest recruits. Now, I knew Halford had a terrific voice (hearing all their other classics and all), but his performance on this cd further magnifies his greatness, as he soars with the screeching high notes and growls his way through riffs such as on "All Guns Blazing", "Hell Patrol", & "Metal Meltdown". If I didn't know any better, I would guess he was right in the middle of his prime, which was a whole 10 years before!!! And it's not just him.

>>>>>>>The whole cast is full-throtle with no holds barred. Scott Travis makes his debut on this album, and man he must have had SOMETHING to prove, 'cause he rips the floor up with his quick footwork and tears the skins W/ his complex hands. Downing and Tipton are phenomenol and are possibly in their best form, delivering wrist-workin' riffs on tracks like "Leather Rebel", "Metal Meltdown" and the title track. Their solos are incredible and full of toxic energy, something you wouldn't expect this late in their game.

Really, you can't go wrong with this album. From the ear-splitting opener to the somewhat epic closer and very catchy "One Shot at Glory", this cd gives the listener a more than ample bargain. Other hits include the haunting and keyboard infested "A Touch of Evil" on which Halford dishes out some amazing vocals and really grabs your ears. Also, the catchy and guitar-driven "Night Crawler" and the underrated "Between the Hammer & the Anvil" add a lot to this metal masterpiece as they contain some screechin' solos and delicious vocals from Rob. All in all, every song is a work of art, that deserves to be heard! Buy "Painkiller" along with ALL of the other Priest goods! 'Cause when the Priest calls, you must answer.

Painkiller is probably Judas Priest's hardest and fastest heavy metal album. A few songs (most notably "Leather Rebel" and "Metal Meltdown") are so fast-tempo to the extent that I they would almost classify them as speed metal, but like the other songs, they're still melodic. The style of heavy metal of this album is very reminiscent of the fastest, catchiest, and best music of Megadeth, Iron Maiden, and especially Iced Earth.

Priest definitely sounds revitalized on this CD. Halford's voice never sounded better, Scott Travis's drumming is very fast and impeccable, and Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing on nearly every track come up with some awesome lead guitar solos. My favorite two tracks are definitely "Painkiller" and "Hell Patrol."

Painkiller isn't quite perfect. There isn't a whole lot of diversity from song to song, either from a tempo or a melodic standpoint. Also, I don't like this version of the song "Touch Of Evil" as much as the '98 MELTDOWN LIVE's version. Though, I'm generally a fan of keyboard and atmospheric enhancement effects in rock and heavy metal, I don't really care for the Dracula-like organ accompaniment which is employed in Painkiller's version. The effects serve to make the song somewhat spooky but in a slightly cheesy way. '98 Meltdown Live's version substitutes guitars for the keyboards and in this particular instance, it sounds a lot better because of that. A lot of reviewers have stated that Painkiller's lyrics are cheesy and straight from a comic book. The lyrics don't come across cheesy to me; in fact, I like them a lot. While they may not have the profound mysterious and sophisticated cryptic quality of Iron Maiden's, they're a perfect match for this type of music and are no lamer or more fantasy-themed than that of most other bands of this genre. I love the lyrics and think they're cool.

Though it's not flawless and probably not the very best Judas Priest production, Painkiller, nonetheless is one of their best albums ever and certain comparable the hardest and best melodic music of similar metal bands. This timeless British band can rock!

Painkiller. Judas Priest's twelfth and final album with Rob Halford at the vocals. Up until this album, the band had literally gone through hell. The release of the prototype-album Turbo(1986) turned-off their older fans with the use of synthesizers and caused Priest's success to spiral forever downward. The followup Ram It Down(1988), although a step back in the right direction, did little to help gain the respect back of the older fans. Even the newfound Turbo fans hated it because it differed too greatly. Although the band had fun making the album, Priest was now out of steam and the producer and drummer quit on them, leaving them in a terrible state. To make matters worse, a lawsuit was filed against the band for two Stained Class(1978) songs apparently causing two teenagers to commit suicide. It lasted for four long weeks before Priest finally won the case, and proved that it was in fact the victims' home environments to blame and not the band. Later that year, Priest found a new drummer, Scott Travis, who's frantic pace breathed new life into the band's songs, and also a new producer, Chris Tsangarides, who worked with them way back on their 2nd album, Sad Wings Of Destiny(1976). The newly equipped Priest then unleashed Painkiller(1990) late into the year. Priest carried a lot of their current angst to drive each of the nine high-octane, thrashy songs. Gone were the happy tunes found in the previous albums. Judas Priest is back and with an unapologetic vengeance.

Kicking off is the incredible title track in which sheer intense drumming and powerful vocals grab hold of you and don't let go until the end. Next is the unique midpaced, yet underrated Hell Patrol. All Guns Blazing is the one track on here that I would say is a bit cheezy, but even still, Glenn and K.K.'s wild guitar playing still gives the song some strength. Leather Rebel is the album's machine-gun totting anthem, in the veins of the much earlier Hell Bent For Leather and Breaking The Law. Its live counterpart is less than stellar though, and shows that Halford's enthusiasm for the band is wearing thin. Metal Meltdown is the fastest song on there, resembling a darker version of their previous album's title track. Night Crawler and A Touch Of Evil are Painkiller's two haunting tracks: the latter slow, and the former resembling The Sentinel. BTHATA is solid, midpaced 80s thrash, with the greatest guitar tapping section in a heavy metal song. The album's strongest and most productional track, Battle Hymn/One Shot At Glory is an underrated Priest classic, with Glenn and K.K.'s guitar shredding abilities set on maximum. Living Bad Dreams is Painkiller's single studio cut ballad, which should have stayed in the album even though it's a break in the all-out metal assault.

Following the album's large-scale world tour, Halford quit the band in 1992 and started a solo career, which showed mixed results until his heavy metal return album Resurrection(2000). The remaining band was in stand-by, hiding from the fans for seven years until they found a replacement, Tim "Ripper" Owens and released Jugulator(1997). Unfortunately, this changed the band forever and fans lamented its new death metal, grunge sound.

So how does this album fare? Well, it's far removed from their earlier, more successful days, but at the same time, much different than Turbo or Ram It Down. Though Priest was no longer influencing popular metal, you have to wonder if this album really had some historical significance, because a whole lot of neo-classical power metal bands (and even Halford's Resurrection and Crucible albums) borrow HEAVILY from Painkiller. Hmm. Musically, it resembles old Metallica but with non-inspired lyrics. I noticed that many reviewers hated this album just because of "cheezy" lyrics. They may not be poetry in motion, but Halford sings them like no one else can. Just as I had mentioned before in my Ram It Down review, songs don't have to have good lyrics to simply rock, and rocking is what this album does very well. I heartily recommend Painkiller, as its a worthy addition to top off the Priest discography. Come in open minded, and you will not be disappointed. Get ready because Judas Priest will rock your world one last time. And as they say, its better to burn out than to fade away...

This is unlike other Priest albums - this album has got pounding complex drum playing, thunderous bass guitar, soaring guitar riffs and impressive guitar solos, and shrieking vocals and still has Judas Priest all over it. I love Judas Priests other albums as well but that's just either hard rock sounding or standard heavy metal, but his has got progressive speed metal to its credit. With Scott Travis as the new drummer, pounding and crashing drums fill the entire album and the guitars are faster and heavier than ever. One of my favorite Metal albums of all time.

In my opinion, this is the best album that Judas Priest ever put out. This album is full of amazing guitar work from one of the most underrated guitarists in the genre: Tipton and Downing. No talk about the drum work, incredible, with great double-bass. Rob Halford makes a great improvement here, with high screamings in "Night Crawler", my favorite in the album. Recommended!!!