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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Most underrated record, May 10, 2004
'Hell Bent for Leather' (a/k/a 'Killing Machine' outside the U.S.) has a special place in my heart and is a bit of an oddity in the Priest catalogue. First of all, unlike its predecessor studio record ('Stained Class' (1978), released less than a year prior) and its successor ('British Steel' (1980)), this is more of a hard rock record (as opposed to heavy metal) - both lyrically and instrumentally, as the longest tune clocks in at less than 5 minutes. Furthermore, of all of Rob Halford's vocal performances on record, 'Hell Bent for Leather' stands out the most, as his voice is much lower and more menacing. For what it is, however, it is a fantastic and often overlooked record if, for no other reason, because it spawned the undeniable Priest classics - the cover of the Peter Green tune, "The Green Manalishi", and the title track - both of which have remained permanent fixtures in their live shows. (FYI: For those of us who were living in 1978, "Take On the World" was a minor hit, if not a little bit derivative of Queen's "We Will Rock You".)The extra tracks on this remaster (as with many of the other Priest remasters) do not bear any contextual connection to 'Hell Bent for Leather'. The live version of "Riding on the Wind" from the 1983 US Festival is a great tune, but sounds a bit out of place when mixed away from "Electric Eye". The studio cut, "Fight for Your Life", is a true outtake from 1982 to 1983 that eventually became the much better song "Rock Hard Ride Free" on 'Defenders of the Faith' (1984).
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The start of a new era, September 30, 2003
The precursors to this album are fantastic albums but with this album Judas Priest had found it's definitive sound. The songs sounded catchier,faster and heavier. Not that Priest's former albums didn't have those elements it's still all out metal only on this record it seems much more obvious. The lyrics are also more down to earth and the leather image is making it's impact on the crowd. The rifs are much more built up out of chords than loose notes. It's been highly influencial on the NWOBHM but also on American bands like Motley crue and Twisted Sister and also German bands like Accept and Krokus.It's starts with the thunderous "Delivering the goods" Followed by the swinging "Rock forever". "Take on the world" is anthemic football styled shout-along song and sounds a bit like a precursor to "united" on "British steel". Hell bent for leather and Running wild are terrific fast song as is the Fleetwood Mac cover "Green Manalishi". The piano-ballad "Before the dawn is very beautiful and "Evil Fantasies" sounds like a precursor to "Love you to death" from the Ram it down album. Get this album.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heading your way like dynamite...., September 30, 2005
Released in the fall of 1978, 'Killing Machine' (or 'Hell Bent for Leather) is THE Judas Priest record, the one I cherished the most from my adolescence. 'Sad Wings', 'SAS' and 'Stained Class' are perhaps more innovative but this LP should have a special place in the hearts of not only Priest fans but metal lovers in general. Is it too commercial? Maybe, but compared to their 80's output it's bloody revolutionary! Classics galore cover this disc from the mighty opener, "Delivering the Goods" (a call to arms for sure and one of the band's best), "Hell Bent for Leather" (which along with "Victim of Changes" could be the ultimate Priest track, Tipton is the man!), "The Green Manalishi" (Fleetwood who???), "Rock Forever" (I'm sorry but how the hell can you not like that song!), "Killing Machine"(something about a song about a hired killer is SO metal)and "Running Wild" (awesome fadeout solos from Mr. Downing). I should mention "Evening Star" and "Take on the World", actual hit singles from the band. "TOTW" could be an anthem and I don't care if it seems like an obvious one. (Queen eat your heart out!!!). Never have been crazy about "Evil Fantasies", too bluesy, except for the end which is the best part of the song. Halford is on top of his game no doubt, all business. Yes the songs are shorter, maybe more accessible, but sell outs???!!!! Come on!!! This album kicks arse and any self respecting rock fan should own it. Again, the bonus tracks are a little inappropriate because they are obviously not from the same time period as the recordings on 'Killing Machine'(although "Fight for Your Life" is a very good precursor to "Rock Hard, Ride Free", better than any of the leftover crap from 'Turbo'). Priest would close out the decade in grand style with their first live album from the tour of this record. Beat us to submission indeed!
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