Great Metal Albums of 1978: Judas Priest- Stained Glass

People are probably now getting fed up with me going on about how the Gods of Rock were hard at work at their anvils to forge heavy metal back in 1978. However, when I think back and listen to the album "Stained Glass" by Judas Priest, I remain convinced that those gods listened to this album and said, "It is good." This raw, gutsy album from Judas Priest typifies everything that is good with heavy metal. Great guitars with some cool solos, a strong rhythm section and all held together by the unmistakeable voice of Rob Halford. As I listen to each track now and in the past, I think it doesn't get much better than this.
Unfortunately, this album will forever be remembered for the law suit brought against the band because it was claimed that there were subliminal messages in the track "Better By You, Better Than Me," which drove two teenage boys to shoot themselves. Now, I have listened to that particular track many times and I never picked up the words "Do it" consciously or subconsciously. I believe Glen Tipton when he said in an interview that "Back in 1978, we couldn't even afford our lunch, let alone the expense it would take to put hidden messages on an album." KK Downing stated that "If we had wanted to put a subliminal message on the album, it would be "Buy more records."" My conclusion is that if the album had any hidden messages, it wouldn't have taken 12 years for anything like this to happen.

Track Listing:

1. Exciter

2. White Heat, Red Hot

3. Better By You, Better Than Me

4. Stained Glass

5. Invader

6. Saints in Hell

7. Savage

8. Beyond the Realms of Death

9. Heroes End

Judas Priest

Rob Halford- vocals

Glen Tipton- guitar

KK Downing- guitar

Ian Hill- bass

Les Binks- drums

"Stained Glass" would prove to be a great sign of things to come in heavy metal. Every track on this album radiated metal in its pure form. Go nostalgic and have a listen and you will see what I mean.

Next post: Judas Priest: Killing Machine

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Great Rock Albums of 1978: Black Sabbath- Never Say Die

It is a common assumption that the last album made before a key member in a band departs is that the album isn't that good. In 1978, "Never Say Die" by Black Sabbath would be the last album recorded with Ozzy Osbourne on the lead vocals as he left the band shortly after. However, refreshing my memory with a listen, I find that this was not the case. There is nothing wrong with the album as it radiates pure Sabbath throughout.
The title track was a big single for the band and it gave Sabbath their first appearance on "Top of the Pops" since 1970 as it reached 21 in the singles charts. However, other tracks like "Shock Wave," Junior Eyes" and "A Hard Road" proved that Black Sabbath were a still a tight band in spite of the drug problems Ozzy might have been having at the time. When I listened to the track "Johnny Blade," I got the feeling that this song would have made a great opening theme song to a kids' action cartoon. I could picture my then seven year old brother watching it with me humming this tune whenever the show came on.

Track Listing:

1. Never Say Die

2. Johnny Blade

3. Junior Eyes

4. A Hard Road

5. Shock Wave

6. Air Dance

7. Over to You

8. Breakout

9. Swinging the Chain

Black Sabbath

Ozzy Osbourne- vocals

Tony Iommi- guitars

Geezer Butler- bass

Bill Ward- drums

Additional Musicians

Don Airey- keyboards

John Elstar- harmonica

William Malone- brass arrangement

While the departure of Ozzy following this album would be a body blow for Black Sabbath, it definitely wouldn't signal the end for either. Ozzy would have a great solo career and Ronnie James Dio would step into Ozzy's shoes to continue Black Sabbath's domination. It can't possibly happen now, but my dream concert would have been Black Sabbath performing with Ozzy and Ronnie and even Ian Gillian for a few songs doing vocals from their contributions to this legendary band.

Next post: Judas Priest: Stained Glass

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Great Metal Albums of 1978: Deep Purple- When We Rock We Rock, When We Roll We Roll

Before this album came into my life, my only experience with Deep Purple was the famous "Smoke on the Water." This album changed all that, it showed me that Deep Purple were more than just one hit wonders. In fact this album showed me what a great band they were and now in my old age, (I'm 51 on Thursday) I can fully appreciate their role as one of the founding fathers of metal. For those who have been following a long time now, you may have noticed that the past few posts have been album put out by some of the great metal influences, The Sweet and Rainbow. It could be argued here, that The Who could be included among them as well. Therefore, I thought I would continue on this vien with one of the founding fathers.

There is little more one can say about this album, as it was the first of many greatest hits albums for Deep Purple. The album contains songs from the first three DP line ups, so there is a good variety here on it, including a live performance of "Highway Star" at the very end, which is the song they opened with when I saw them in 1985. I do give an account of the concert in Rock And Roll Children.
While the whole album for me totally kicks ass, the tracks I really like, if you put a gun to my head and make me say them, are the two I've already mentioned, plus "Burn" and "Woman From Tokyo" which is the one I put on my alternative compilation CD. I really can't say anymore.

Track Listing:

1. Space Truckin'

2. Kentucky Woman

3. Hard Road (Wring That Neck)

4. Burn

5. Woman From Tokyo

6. Hush

7. Smoke on the Water

8. Highway Star

Deep Purple

Ritchie Blackmore- guitars

Ian Gillian- vocals

Roger Glover- bass

Jon Lord- keyboards

Ian Paice- drums

David Coverdale- vocals

Nick Simper- bass

Rod Evans- vocals

Glen Hughes- bass

During the Deep Purple concert in "Rock And Roll Children," the band has left the stage for the second time leaving the main characters wondering if they will return. The Mitch character answers their question when he says, "They'll be back, they haven't played "Smoke on the Water" yet." Yes, that is the song Deep Purple is most famous for and I have heard many versions of it. But it's the version on this album I like the best.

Next post: Black Sabbath- Never Say Die

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London.