Search - Judas Priest :: Hellbent for Leather (Exp)

Most underrated record

S. Baker | Phoenix, Arizona United States | 05/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"'Hell Bent for Leather' (a/k/a 'Killing Machine' outside the U.S.) has a special place in my heart and is a bit of an oddity in the Priest catalogue. First of all, unlike its predecessor studio record ('Stained Class' (1978), released less than a year prior) and its successor ('British Steel' (1980)), this is more of a hard rock record (as opposed to heavy metal) - both lyrically and instrumentally, as the longest tune clocks in at less than 5 minutes. Furthermore, of all of Rob Halford's vocal performances on record, 'Hell Bent for Leather' stands out the most, as his voice is much lower and more menacing. For what it is, however, it is a fantastic and often overlooked record if, for no other reason, because it spawned the undeniable Priest classics - the cover of the Peter Green tune, "The Green Manalishi", and the title track - both of which have remained permanent fixtures in their live shows. (FYI: For those of us who were living in 1978, "Take On the World" was a minor hit, if not a little bit derivative of Queen's "We Will Rock You".)The extra tracks on this remaster (as with many of the other Priest remasters) do not bear any contextual connection to 'Hell Bent for Leather'. The live version of "Riding on the Wind" from the 1983 US Festival is a great tune, but sounds a bit out of place when mixed away from "Electric Eye". The studio cut, "Fight for Your Life", is a true outtake from 1982 to 1983 that eventually became the much better song "Rock Hard Ride Free" on 'Defenders of the Faith' (1984)."

The start of a new era

house hater | 10/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The precursors to this album are fantastic albums but with this album Judas Priest had found it's definitive sound. The songs sounded catchier,faster and heavier. Not that Priest's former albums didn't have those elements it's still all out metal only on this record it seems much more obvious. The lyrics are also more down to earth and the leather image is making it's impact on the crowd. The rifs are much more built up out of chords than loose notes. It's been highly influencial on the NWOBHM but also on American bands like Motley crue and Twisted Sister and also German bands like Accept and Krokus.It's starts with the thunderous "Delivering the goods" Followed by the swinging "Rock forever". "Take on the world" is anthemic football styled shout-along song and sounds a bit like a precursor to "united" on "British steel". Hell bent for leather and Running wild are terrific fast song as is the Fleetwood Mac cover "Green Manalishi". The piano-ballad "Before the dawn is very beautiful and "Evil Fantasies" sounds like a precursor to "Love you to death" from the Ram it down album. Get this album."

Priest delivers the Goods on what may be there finest hour.

James Simpson | USA | 01/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Priest come to an intersection in there career with this record,closing an era of consistently outstanding,brilliantly realized Metal music.



What this album does is offer a glimpse of things to come,while still carrying on with the classic guitar work and excellent writing of the past.



In many ways,"Hell Bent For Leather"(or Killing Machine as it's called nearly everywhere else in the world) is the definitive Priest album,showcasing all the band's strengths and epitomizing what the band's about.

That title alone is perfectly represenative of the band's onscreen image,coupled with that classic,brutal cover art.



More than any other album(except possibly Motorhead's "Overkill",also released the same year)played the biggest role in the sound of the NWOBHM,that would explode the following year.



Each track is a classic,and this remaster perfectly captures there still electric,modern sound so well.



Delivering the Goods-A perfect opener,and a great way to kick one into the album,with one of the most unique guitar sounds and Halford telling his listeners what to expect from the band.

A much-beloved track(my best friend's all time favorite song in fact),this one is unfortunately underutilized.



Rock Forever-Nice "riffster" with a good hokky riff about Rob's(and the bands')love for thsi type of music.

It seems similar to other songs we've heard before,yet how many will copy the structure of this one,especially in the following decade.

Still,this one gets alot of points for being first.

Good track.



Evening Star-Feel good,"happy" romantic rock,that was unbielevably the album's single(!)

A good song,not very heavy,but this has some excellent guitar work and showcases the band's diversity.

How many bands can do this today?



Hell Bent For Leather-Classic pre-Thrash with one of the band's best riffs,tells the speed tale of Rob's love for the Harley and the Whip!

One of the great metal songs of all time,and still a live staple.

When you hear that motorcycle roar,you know what song will play!



Take on the World-The first of Priest's many(increasingly dreary)"battle anthems",is poppy as hell,but very enjoyable and catchy nonetheless.

This one actually has a promo-video that exists(rather humorous) and is one of the best songs about the unity of Metal/Rock made.



Burnin Up-Awesome intro and a sexy riff underlines this classic tongue in cheek ode to mankind's favorite pasttime.

Rob's lyrics are wonderfully menacing and sexy,and when he sings"We got to make love,the time is right!We got to make love tonight!",it's all in ABSOLUTE sincerity.

One of my personal favorites,and a neglected jewel in the Metal God's crown.



The Green Manalishi(with the two pronged crown)-Sabbatherian cover of the Fleetwood Mac song,totally destroys the original,making for one of there all time classics.

Still in the live set and featuring one of Rob's best(and most influential) vocal performances.

Note:This was not on the original album overseas,only here in North America releases.

I pity those metalheads for there loss.



Killing Machine-Slow,metal monster with a great riff and some awesome lyrics about Rob's deadly profession as a "Le Samourai" like hitman who "works for the money and does the job".

Just pray he dosen't have a contract on you!

Great track.



Running Wild-Exemplifying what will follow in the metal scene the next year,this fast and mean track is one of the band's best anthems.

An absolute classic about the way to live life has been copied over and over the year,from Iron Maiden(Running Free) to Manowar(Warlord),but none touch this classic.

Note:Maiden also stole the beginning riff for the intro to there,"The Wicker Man" from there 2000 album,"Brave New World".



Before the Dawn-This band has done many classic ballads,going back to "Rocka Rolla",and this is one of there best.

An absolute beaut of a song,that features heartrending vocals and lovely accoustic guitars showcase a deep album track that deserves another listen.



Evil Fantasies-Another Sabbath like tune,that has a bit of blues in there,which tells a delicious tale of S and M,that only the Metal god can make us take seriously.

Alternately sexy and funny,this is a great album closer,featuring a wonderful wrap up and a hell of a chorus.



The other tracks are the bonus song,"Fight for Your Life" a serviceable B-side that is quite welcome and a totally left field live cut of "Riding on the Wind" from the "Screaming for Vengeance album!



That may be the only debit here.

Why did they not just find a live from this era and/or album?



Who knows.



Still,that's a very minor complaint considering the sheer wealth of classic metal presented here.

All in all,a certifiable classic that ranks among Metal's greatest.



Crack the whip and rev up that engine....it's time to be Hell Bent For Leather."