4) Judas Priest, Sad Wings of Destiny
Judas Priest’s Rocka Rolla was a debut album in every sense of the word. Thrown together cheaply, and lacking an overall sound, the band recorded it live. They also hadn’t really developed an image just yet. With the exception of “Victim of Changes,” the band don’t really play anything from it any more. And while the follow-up was also cheaply recorded, it was where the band’s dual guitar sound, image and songwriting really came together. Album opener “Victim of Changes” in particular is probably one of Priest’s best-known songs and stands up as a summation of the best parts of the band (Halford’s vocals, the dual riffage of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing) 38 years later. “The Ripper,” “Tyrant,” and “Dreamer Deceiver” were also staples from the album that would help inspire their future direction and anoint them leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
