Sad Wings Of Destiny - Judas Priest (1976)

ideated from: I’m going to see Priest live this weekend. I’m not usually one for the expensive nostalgia tours, but I’ve loved these guys since I was about 13 and they’re still my favorite heavy band of all time

I’ve talked about early Priest before. I think the fact that they’ve adjusted and innovated in heavy music for decades hides the fact that they were an original and nimble-minded band from quite early on. They drove the music into more extreme territory, but at the same time left behind several albums of songs that can still easily get played along with any other 70s hard rock.

Not really expecting them to play much of these older songs this weekend, but I’m happy to hear whatever’s on offer.

edit: I got more of the oldies than I bargained for.

Tracks I Liked

Victim of Changes - some of that conversation between what was happening and what was possible

The Ripper - I would argue this song is the Judas Priest origin story. Guitar-and-vocal-only intro, crunchy riffs, ominous lyrics, building up to a full band workout. This is the blueprint that would make them famous.