Judas Priest--Defenders of the Faith

Judas Priest--Defenders of the Faith (1984) Rating--9.3 **U.S. Sales Certification--Platinum**

The Sentinel--RealAudio  Heavy Duty/DOTF--RealAudio

Few bands have the talent and history to boast one superb album, much less two that come back-to-back. This album picks up right where 'Screaming for Vengeance' left off---searing the faces off of metalheads everywhere. When people mention the NWOBHM sound (New Wave of British Heavy Metal), albums like this one and 'Piece of Mind'/'Powerslave' from Maiden are what they are talking about. Heavy, grinding guitar work, solid rhythms, tight songwriting, and solid vocals.
Highlights everywhere: There's the frenzied "Freewheel Burning," and "Jawbreaker" with its cutting mainframe. "The Sentinel" is a longtime personal fave, and builds and pulses throughout.
The emotional "Night Comes Down," is a nice change of pace, and the "Heavy Duty"/title track combo close the disc in fine fashion.
Each of the other tracks stand out, as well--- Again, no fillers from Priest.
HOT CHOPS--The intro guitar work to "The Sentinel"-- Dark, mysterious, and mesmerizing... Also, Rob's screamed vocals at the end of the album. Sort of summed up the feelings of a metal generation back in '84. "We are... defenders...of...the faith."
TRACK LIST: Freewheel Burning/Jawbreaker/Rock Hard Ride Free/The Sentinel/Love Bites/Eat Me Alive/ Some Heads are Gonna Roll/Night Comes Down/Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith

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