Hell Bent for Leather (Killing Machine)

After releasing a debut that was more of a rock record, an early metal masterpiece and two great follow-ups that would further explore Judas Priest’s unique brand of heavy metal, the band was not going to do endless amounts of touring. Instead, they began working on their fifth album Killing Machine, which was already released in 1978, the same year as their previous studio offering Stained Class. Things were different this time around though. The band had just become used to their now-famous ‘leather-and-studs’ image, which was pioneered by vocalist Rob Halford and would be adapted by many (metal) bands to come, including NWOBHM-pioneers Saxon.
The image was not the only thing that changed. With it came a take on music that was very different, aimed towards the American market at the time. Priest’s sound would become far more mainstream than it had been before, as well as more hard rock-orientated than on their previous releases. At the end of 1978 the band released their fifth album Killing Machine (re-titled Hell Bent for Leather in the U.S.). The band’s new sound and image would be continued for quite a few albums to come, including the famous follow-up British Steel, and was the start of a new era for Judas Priest.

Judas Priest의 다섯 번째 정규작으로 선행 발매된 UK 반은 "Killing Machine"이란 타이틀로 공개되었다. Judas Priest의 작품들 중에서 헤비메탈의 저돌성, 하드락의 풍요로움, 로클롤의 흥겨움이 가장 이상적으로 융합되었다고 생각되는 앨범으로 "British Steel"의 탄생을 예고하는 높은 완성도를 자랑한다. 펑크, 디스코에 의한 헤비씬 침체기에 공개되었지만 전작 "Stained Class"에서 한걸음 더 나아가 Heavy Metal의 완성체에 접근하고 있어 주다스 프리스트의 락 스피릿을 짐작할 만하다. 밴드 특유의 박진감이 두드러지기 시작한 타이틀곡 "Hell Bent for Leather" 등을 수록하고 있다. "Before the Dawn"의 후광을 업고 국내에 가장 먼저 소개된 Judas Priest의 앨범이기도 하다.

Best track : Delivering the Goods , Hell Bent for Leather , Burnig' Up , The Green Manalishi , Running Wild , Before the Dawn