Judas Priest - Ram It Down

Rob Halford - Lead Vocals
K.K Downing - Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
Glenn Tipton - Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
Ian Hill - Bass Guitar
Scott Travis - Drums

If you like high speed classic metal with extravagent solos...This album should be at the top of your wish list!

Not quite as highly acclaimed as I personally feel it should be, not even among some of the bands more dedicated fans. I feel it is an album not to be overlooked, it is my favourite album of all time, with no tracks that I don't enjoy listening too.

From the opening scream of Rob Halford on the title, and first track, 'Ram It Down', you can tell this isn't an album to air guitar to whilst driving (not that i'd recommend that in the first place). A quick, high vocalled track, formed from short bursts of fast guitarwork, it is one great album opener. The lyrics suggest its about Heavy Metal itself, and it certainly drives into you once you've listened to it a few times. With a good easy to recognise chorus. Possibly the most crazy over the top (yet fantastic) solo I've heard to finish the song, lasting 1:40 minutes and consisting of several lead breaks.

Heavy metal is, without a doubt, the theme of the album. Lyrics thoughout such as 'Do You like it heavy?' and the obvious, 'Heavy Metal, WHAT DO YOU WANT?'. Some of the track titles giving it away also (Monster of rock, Heavy Metal to name a few), Its a fantasticly fast and strong album. Some wonderful songs that you can chant along too, and then a few slightly different tracks dotted around the break the album.

Two of these are Love Zone, and Love You To Death, the two weakest tracks on the album, but still fantastic in their own right. Whilst the 3rd slower track is Blood Red Skies. A powerful chorus for a song that builds up slowly. Starting with acoustic guitars, and moving onto a deep, grinding riff. Rob Halford truly showing his vocal range on this track whilst once again the Twin attack of K.K Downing and Glenn Tipton pulls off an awe inspiring solo.

One of the suprises of the album, is the cover of the classic Chuck Berry song 'Johnny B. Goode', rip roaring lead breaks throughout, the track was written for a film soundtrack, although I am unsure as to whether it was used eventually.

One other track that I feel deserves a special mention, I'm A Rocker. Played by the band on their recent tour, another slow track, but for me, it is more of an anthem. Some very nicely flowing lead breaks, once again spectacular vocals. But it is the lyrics that make this track so important in my eyes (or ears).

All in all, a thunderous album throughout, this album may be old (1988) by some standards, but it doesn't mean it isn't damn good! I thoroughly recommend it to any old metal fans.

By J