With each album they slid under their studded leather belts, Judas Priest became more and more comfortable in their own skin. The early inkling of the power they could show in their music was found on their previous disc Sad Wings Of Destiny, but didn’t really get a chance to manifest itself.
As fellow reviewer Bruce Rusk noted in his take on Sin After Sin, the third release from Rob Halford and crew, the album captures a band truly discovering its voice (as well as their place in the whole scene). While there are still one or two attempts to hold onto the vestiges of their earlier albums, this disc marks a solid step in the right direction.
Halford truly comes into his own, showcasing his trademark shrieks more often. This actually helps to power songs like “Raw Deal” and “Sinner” into the stratosphere. Where “The Ripper” on the previous disc hinted at what Judas Priest could become, these tracks show what they would become.
Even taking on a cover of a Joan Baez song actually works in their favor. Halford, guitarists KK Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and session drummer Simon Phillips make the song their own while showing respect to the original.
The slipping point for Sin After Sin is the reliance on ballads—something that sank the previous discs. “Last Rose Of Summer” simply does not feel like it belongs on this disc, and is almost akin to the band saying goodbye to part of their history. The other ballad, “Here Come The Tears,” actually does have some musical substance to it, making it far more listenable.
Some credit must be given to Roger Glover of Deep Purple fame, whose production work helped to bring out the best in Halford and crew.
Sin After Sin might be best remembered for “Diamonds And Rust,” but there are many other performances on this one awaiting rediscovery. A hidden gem among their catalog, this is one worth checking out, if only to truly appreciate where later albums like Stained Class or British Steel had their roots established.
