Worthy Judas Priest Album (Press, 14 August 1980)

In a review dated 14 August 1980, music critic David Swift discusses several rock albums, with a specific focus on Judas Priest's latest release, "British Steel," alongside works from The Vapors, Sylvain Sylvain, and The Angels. Swift commends Judas Priest, describing them as a leading British heavy metal band. He notes that despite challenges associated with the genre, such as repetitive riffs and clichéd lyrics, Judas Priest's approach on their seventh album is refreshing. The record kicks off with the energetic track "Rapid Fire," followed by the standout "Metal Gods," which showcases a robotic chorus and engaging drumming from newcomer Dave Holland. Vocalist Rob Halford is portrayed as competent rather than a typical heavy metal screamer, with lyrics that are serviceable but secondary to the music’s appeal. Among the tracks, "United" stands out as a crowd-pleaser for its singalong quality, and the British hit single "Living After Midnight" is highlighted. Swift concludes that Judas Priest offers a solid album, worthy of its perceived ransom value. He then shifts focus to The Vapors' album "New Clear Days," influenced by British icons The Jam. Produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, the album aims to escape the one-hit wonder status associated with their prior single "Turning Japanese." Swift notes the crisp drumming of Howard Smith, resembling Rick Buckler's style. The Vapors' lyrics touch on themes of frustration and concern in a modern context, with songs reflecting a sense of apprehension, contrasting with their catchy sound. Next, Swift reviews "Sylvain Sylvain," the debut solo album by Sylvain Sylvain, a former member of the influential punk band New York Dolls. While the Dolls were known for their provocative lifestyle and music, Sylvain's solo effort adopts a more subdued yet competent rock'n'roll style. The album features a mix of rockers and ballads, displaying strong melodies and production, and is expected to gain traction on the charts. Lastly, he covers The Angels' album "Dark Room," noting their burgeoning appeal, similar to that of their Australian counterparts like AC/DC. With a sound that blends punk and heavy metal, The Angels deliver powerful guitar riffs and solid vocals from singer Doc Neeson. Although each song captures attention at the start, Swift mentions that their length can detract from listener engagement. The band, known in the UK and US as Angel City, is anticipated to make a significant impact at the upcoming Reading Rock festival. Overall, Swift's reviews reflect a vibrant rock music scene in 1980, characterised by its diverse offerings and emerging talents across different bands.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand