It's great to have Rob Halford back as Judas Priest's lead singer. The legendary band has been releasing albums since the '70s and have put out some great ones over the years. These are my choices as the five best Judas Priest albums.
1. British Steel (1980)
Pricegrabber
It's hard to believe it was over 25 years ago that this classic album came out. It is Priest at their finest, containing smashes like "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight." It saw the band leaving more experimental music behind and going for the arena rock anthems that Halford sings so well. There's not a bad song on this album.
2. Hell Bent For Leather (1979)
Pricegrabber
There weren't any big singles from this album, but it is one of their more intense efforts. Halford's vocals sound great and there are some gothic and progressive influences to their sound. It saw the introduction of Halford's trademark leather-clad look. They also do a great cover version of Fleetwood Mac's "Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)."
3. Screaming For Vengeance (1982)
Pricegrabber
The best known song from this album is "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," but there are several other great songs including the title track, "Electric Eye" and "Bloodstone." Halford sounds great as usual, and this is their second best album of the 1980s.
4. Defenders Of The Faith (1984)
Pricegrabber
This is the first Judas Priest album that I can remember listening to when it was still current. The most memorable song from Defenders Of The Faith is "Love Bites." "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" also got some radio and video play. It's an album packed with anthems and a power ballad or two. The guitar work of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton is always great, but they really shine on this album.
5. Painkiller (1990)
Pricegrabber
After ending the eighties with a couple of less than well received albums (1986's Turbo and 1988's Ram It Down), Judas Priest started the '90s on a high note. Painkiller would be the last Rob Halford Priest album for more than a decade, and the metal god gave a great vocal performance on this release. New drummer Scott Travis gave Priest a shot of energy, and that combined with the usual stellar guitar work from Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing made this the band's best album in years.
