Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny

Perhaps it's worth noting first that there have been around a dozen re-releases of Judas Priest's first two LPs and the band have always been quick to denounce them, indeed many are unfaithful to the original artwork and have sub-standard sound quality. The 2002 Victor Entertainment re-release from Japan seems to be the most recommended on all accounts but this copy released by Snapper is easier to obtain and the sound is still very good.

As for the record itself, well, what is there to say that hasn't been said already? This is one of the most revered albums in the entire Metal genre and for good reason, it's been hugely influential on countless bands since its release in 1976. While their debut two years earlier had some shining moments it felt like the band drawing on their influences rather than having a sound they could call theirs. "Sad Wings" saw Judas Priest come into their own with an exceptional set of songs; "Tyrant" and "Genocide" were forceful warnings of war and despots that remained concert staples throughout the 70s, while "Victim Of Changes" and "The Ripper" remain almost mandatory to their setlist 33 years on.

However, as good as they are, what I find most interesting on "Sad Wings" is the lighter moments; "Dreamer Deceiver" is a stunning song with a very careful progression that shows the full range of Rob Halford's 5-octave voice and also boasts one of Glenn Tipton's finest and most emotive guitar solos, perhaps only rivaled by "Beyond The Realms Of Death" 2 years later. The penultimate song "Epitaph" is perhaps the most interesting of all, I believe it's still the only Priest song to be simply voice and piano. Like "Run Of The Mill" from their debut, it is a sobering (though melodic) look at old age and a very unique moment in the band's substantial discography. The album itself remains one of their best and an important piece in Heavy Metal's early development.