Judas Priest - Metalogy [Bonus DVD] [Box Set] (CD)

All Music Guide

Few bands captured the kinetic energy of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal as effortlessly as Judas Priest. In an era that saw the decreasing popularity of bands like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, the Birmingham quintet saw opportunity. Their volatile mix of searing metal, progressive rock, new wave, and bluecollared bar band brutality drew fans from every genre. While their influence on the hair metal renaissance of the mid to late '80s is undeniable, it's this early work that helped mold seminal groups like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Mötley Crüe. Sony/Legacy's careerspanning, fourCD box set Metalogy nestled in a dog collarstudded case is the first collection to chronicle the entire history of the band, from its 1974 debut to the Tim "Ripper" Owensled Demolition. Discs one and two of the 65track onslaught focus on the group's electrifying metamorphosis from chiffonwearing, Gull Records recording artists to the leatherandgun metal force of nature that redefined heavy metal during... the late '70s/early '80s. The differences between the forgettable Rocka Rolla and the prog rock epic Sad Wings of Destiny are jarring, showcasing a band that couldn't decide whether or not it wanted to emulate Nazareth or Queen. Thankfully, it's the latter that prevailed, and what followed was a Bowieesque transformation that united both rockers and mods with a hidden fetish for the glam rock sensibilities of the era, and it wasn't long before the fantasyrock musings of songs like "Tyrant" evolved into motorcycle/sex raveups like "Breaking the Law" and "Livin' After Midnight." Read more Less