British Steel is the album which pushed Judas Priest in to the proper big leagues. Originally released in 1980 it sold in big numbers and is hailed as a bona-fide classic. But is it…..?
I bought it on release back in the day now some forty five years ago (it’s April 2025 as I type this post) and went to see them on the tour.
If I recall Iron Maiden had the support slot with their debut album just released.
At the time, although being rather younger than I am today, I had much admiration for Judas Priest from their earlier albums, in particular Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin and Stained Class.
All albums I listen to regularly and all I consider to be Priest right at the top of their game.
So what about British Steel – is it the classic which many consider it to be? Now, I anticipate my answer may not be well received – however in my opinion British Steel is at best pedestrian and far from a classic.
Rapid Fire is quite a good opener. Nice and punchy with the drumming and guitar bursts. After that there’s nothing which moves me much at all.
Metal Gods plods along without going anywhere. Breaking the Law. Yes – it’s catchy and an obvious candidate for the hit single it was – though far too cheesy. I feel embarrassed for them listening to it. Cringeworthy.
Same applies to the plodding dirge of Grinder and the further cheese of United. More cringe. Here is United:
You Don’t Have to be Old to be Wise is sort of OK then comes the third dose of cheesy cringe in Living After Midnight.
The Rage gets better after the reggae style opening bit and Steeler is a passable closer.
Overall, I think British Steel is generally uninspired, far too cheesy and a lyrical wasteland. I listened to it again before posting this and my opinion has not changed.
I have two copies of it even…..the original vinyl copy long since gone though I do have the CD reissue with the two bonus tracks and the 30th anniversary version with the concert DVD. The DVD is rather good however.
As I mentioned in my review of Invincible Shield, I gave up on Priest after Screaming for Vengeance as it all became a bit “samey” and didn’t buy another of their albums until Angel of Retribution, which didn’t move me, and only bought Invincible Shield out of curiosity.
Only my opinion here of course and we all have different ones which is fine……give me Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, Stained Class and Killing Machine (or Hell Bent for Leather depending on where you come from) over British Steel and everything subsequently bar to some extent Point of Entry.
If you’re not familiar with British Steel or perhaps Judas Priest in general, you may be interested in a reasonably priced five album set which comprises of Sin After Sin, British Steel, Turbo, Painkiller and Angel of Retribution.
At time of posting you can bag it for sixteen quid from Amazon here:
https://amzn.to/3EkmtFf
It cannot be denied that Judas Priest has had a very long and very successful career and influenced many a band in the genre, though for me it’s always been the early output which stands apart.
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