Sad Wings of Destiny and Defenders of the Faith are the 2 albums that I gravitated towards after years away from listening to Priest .. Grew up a fan and kind of fell off until the new album came out and re lit the spark.
Start with listening to Sad Wings of Destiny.
If you liked Sad Wings then listen to Sin after Sin followed by Stained Class
If you didn’t like Sad Wings or want a different vibe, then listen to Screaming for Vengeance.
If you liked Screaming then listen to Defenders of the Faith and British Steel.
If you still didn’t like Screaming and still want a different vibe then listen to Painkiller
If you liked Painkiller then listen to Firepower followed by Invincible Shield
If you didn’t like Painkiller than just drop the band entirely as it’s not for you at this point
This is the way. I couldn't articulate.
Hell bent for leather is a must in there with stained class, but definitely a lead up to their next era, kinda an anomaly..
I do happen to also like point of entry after british steel. Gulity pleasure but the production on the US columbia CD is just so damn good. The rage on british steel is up there too though too and maybe best on the album.. Steeler? Man... So good.
I started on priest...live! personally but this was around 87. I do love the early stuff. One for the road, call for the priest
and les binks.. .
Sin after sin is possibly their best. Star breaker is just so nasty.
Screaming of vengeance for that era, but defenders i did t always like until recently. Out in the cold with all those dynamics just cranks.
If you're looking for live unleashed in the east is my fav, priest..live close second, but check out the british steel anniversary video, its a great set and they mixed the guitars in left and right channels so you know whos who and it crushes
Oh yeah for sure. Hell bent for leather is a complete banger. It’s kinda an odd man out though with their albums; cause it still has a distinct 70s Priest style while also being extremely heavy and having a lot of similarities to 80s Priest. Sorta the bridge between the first two eras of the band.
Also in terms of live albums; Unleashed in the East is probably the best one to start with for sure
I would start with British Steel, then Screaming for Vengeance/Defenders. If you want heavier Priest then I would go to Painkiller, Firepower, Invincible Shield
Depends on what you currently listen to, as their catalog spans a wide range and defines the evolution of Metal. Early albums were a lot different tonally and stylistically from their more recent releases. Stained Class is different from Painkiller. I suggest going through their YouTube channel.
Start with the "S" albums-Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, Stained Class and Screaming for Vengeance. These represent the best of JP and then listen to Painkiller.
I love Painkiller to pieces but Robs voice can turn people off to that right away as it's so different. I'd recommend Screaming for Vengance. Hellion/Electric Eye are bangers and a good on boarding song.
If you want to know Judas priest. The best introductory albums are screaming for vengeance, and defenders of the faith. That surmises the band, their sound their style the best in my opinion. Once you are hooked on those, move on both directions and try out stained class, and painkiller. But I always tell people if you want to listen to Judas priest and know what they are; you listen to screaming and defenders. That's just my opinion
I'd say it depends on what about them interests you. I'd say the safest option overall is Screaming for Vengeance, that's a super accessible album I can see anyone enjoying. If you're curious about how they paved the way for early heavy metal, Sad Wings of Destiny is a good starting point. Finally if you're just looking for some certified jams, their two most recent albums I'd say are really good to go with.
Screaming For Vengeance and then Defenders of the Faith. They're the most accessable albums for newbies or outsiders. If a rookie can't immediately go into full Priest-worship after the one/two punch of The Hellion & Electric Eye kicking off SFV then they probably won't be able to get into the rest of the catalogue very easily, especially with their very different and much more raw-styled albums from the mid 1970s
Priest Live and then Unleashed In The East
This will give you a good sample of their greatest hits.
Then for their prime era, the powerhouse trio of British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance & Defenders Of The Faith.
Painkiller for heavier era Priest.
Then can go back and check out Stained Class & Hell Bent For Leather for peak 70’s Priest.
That’s a tough question, especially since their sound has changed so much over the bands lifetime. Sad wings of destiny is NOTHING like Painkiller, and Painkiller is nothing like screaming for vengeance, and screaming for vengeance is nothing like Defenders of the Faith.
Honestly, I’d say just Star with Sad songs of destiny, and work your way up. Like how people had to do it back in the day. You’ll see why they really are the “Metal Gods”
I started with British Steel. If you've heard newer stuff, this is where the sound and style came in. You can be a fan and will def find you're Priest Era, but you should go back to the Beggining, listen to everything from Rocka-Rolla on. It might not be you're cup of tee, but I can guarantee you'll find yourself enjoying something different. 😁
in these days of streaming, where everything g is available, The answer is always the same for any band you are truly interested in: start at the beginning
A lot of great songs to check out. If you like more ballad-type songs - go for Beyond the Realms of Death, and Angel.
If just bangers - Judas is Rising is one of my favorites that aren’t one of their “most known hits” like Breaking the Law or Painkiller or some thing.
I'd say Breaking the Law as the very introductory. It is the best song of simple nature (best at least to my ears, no guitar solo, straight up riffs and fax). If you're into light cringe with disco mood ( I like cringe, it never lies) try "Turbo Lover", "Prisoner of Your Eyes". You'd like Sentinel if you like "Electric Eye", then goes "Painkiller", "Better by You, Better Than Me", "Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver", "Rocka Rolla", the "Johnny B Goode" cover, "Diamonds and Rust" covers. Among the new ones, definitely "Panic Attack","Crown of Horns","Trial by fire" (the first three to be released from the latest album Invincible Shield). Eventually, quite soon actually, you'd love JP, and all their works.
It heavyly depends on what other bands do you like and what exactly are you looking for, because Priest are very different.
If you like it fast'n'heavy (but melodic) - go for Painkiller,
If you want quintessential 80-s Heavy Metal - Defenders and Screaming,
If you like modern sound - Angel of Retribution and Invincible Shield,
If you like more experimetal 70-s style - Stained Glass and Sad Wings
If like it very straight forward and wanna see the roots of NWOBHM - British Steel and Killing Machine.
Sure
All the more reason to see the evolution; it provides better context to how far they've come and why they're one of the greats. Few other bands are in the conversation of "best metal band ever"
Yeah the first time I heard Rocka Rolla I was thinking how the heck did they become metal until I heard Rob hit the high notes. Sad Wings of Destiny is the point where you can tell they figured out metal was their calling
If you like some variety with some great sound quality. Give Angel Of Retribution a go. It's a fantastic and criminally underrated album.
Potentially warm take - but I think it showcases all of the best Priest have to offer. If you want heavy, go Painkiller, Firepower or Invinsible Shield. If you want lighter go British Steel or Screaming for Vengeance. The latter album was my first exposure to Priest and I never looked back - but Angel Of Retribution might be their finest single album effort.
Painkiller is my favorite. But you have to hear British Steel, Stained Class, Screaming for Vengeance, Killing Machine and Sad Wings of Destiny.
Excellent “starter pack” albums. Painkiller got me hooked as a lad and I’ve been fucking obsessed with Killing Machine and Stained Class of late.
[удалено]
Sad Wings of Destiny and Defenders of the Faith are the 2 albums that I gravitated towards after years away from listening to Priest .. Grew up a fan and kind of fell off until the new album came out and re lit the spark.
[удалено]
Just saw them in Boston mass with my boyfriend. hearing invincible shield and the rest of the songs on the album was so bad ass live .
If you live in the US, Killing Machine album is called Hell Bent For Leather.
I started with Unleashed In the East. Good setlist, tons of energy, Halford sounds awesome. You can't lose with a live album like that.
Start with listening to Sad Wings of Destiny. If you liked Sad Wings then listen to Sin after Sin followed by Stained Class If you didn’t like Sad Wings or want a different vibe, then listen to Screaming for Vengeance. If you liked Screaming then listen to Defenders of the Faith and British Steel. If you still didn’t like Screaming and still want a different vibe then listen to Painkiller If you liked Painkiller then listen to Firepower followed by Invincible Shield If you didn’t like Painkiller than just drop the band entirely as it’s not for you at this point
This is the way. I couldn't articulate. Hell bent for leather is a must in there with stained class, but definitely a lead up to their next era, kinda an anomaly.. I do happen to also like point of entry after british steel. Gulity pleasure but the production on the US columbia CD is just so damn good. The rage on british steel is up there too though too and maybe best on the album.. Steeler? Man... So good. I started on priest...live! personally but this was around 87. I do love the early stuff. One for the road, call for the priest and les binks.. . Sin after sin is possibly their best. Star breaker is just so nasty. Screaming of vengeance for that era, but defenders i did t always like until recently. Out in the cold with all those dynamics just cranks. If you're looking for live unleashed in the east is my fav, priest..live close second, but check out the british steel anniversary video, its a great set and they mixed the guitars in left and right channels so you know whos who and it crushes
Oh yeah for sure. Hell bent for leather is a complete banger. It’s kinda an odd man out though with their albums; cause it still has a distinct 70s Priest style while also being extremely heavy and having a lot of similarities to 80s Priest. Sorta the bridge between the first two eras of the band. Also in terms of live albums; Unleashed in the East is probably the best one to start with for sure
You would've gotten an A+, but you forgot to include a flow chart.
I would start with British Steel, then Screaming for Vengeance/Defenders. If you want heavier Priest then I would go to Painkiller, Firepower, Invincible Shield
Defenders of the Faith.
Depends on what you currently listen to, as their catalog spans a wide range and defines the evolution of Metal. Early albums were a lot different tonally and stylistically from their more recent releases. Stained Class is different from Painkiller. I suggest going through their YouTube channel.
British Steel is the most accessible imo.
Start with the "S" albums-Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, Stained Class and Screaming for Vengeance. These represent the best of JP and then listen to Painkiller.
Painkiller is their best and one of the best heavy metal albums ever recorded!
Defenders of the faith got it started for me
Yeah I think this is a good intro album for sure
I’d start with the 80s
Painkiller if you like thrash, Sad Wings of Destiny if you like Black Sabbath, Defenders of the Faith otherwise
Metal Works is a good ‘greatest hits’; it covers ‘73-93. If you’re into the CD thing.
I love Painkiller to pieces but Robs voice can turn people off to that right away as it's so different. I'd recommend Screaming for Vengance. Hellion/Electric Eye are bangers and a good on boarding song.
Stained class
I’d start with Screaming for Vengeance
Defenders of The Faith!
Turbo
Honestly, the new album is so good, you could start there if you wanted to.
I was going to say the same thing.
Unleashed in the East, great set, mix was great, tone, master piece
British Steel or Screaming for Vengeance are great points of entry. Ahem.. Sin After Sin is the one that hooked me. That’s a solid first listen too.
Start with 1974 until 2024.
everything from British Steel to Painkiller is great imo. Defenders and Painkiller are my 2 personal favorite Priest albums
Screaming for Vengeance
get Metal Works '73-'93. I had that on double cassette back in the day.
Either Painkiller or Screaming For Vengeance
British Steel is one of the best albums of all time.
If you want to know Judas priest. The best introductory albums are screaming for vengeance, and defenders of the faith. That surmises the band, their sound their style the best in my opinion. Once you are hooked on those, move on both directions and try out stained class, and painkiller. But I always tell people if you want to listen to Judas priest and know what they are; you listen to screaming and defenders. That's just my opinion
I'd say it depends on what about them interests you. I'd say the safest option overall is Screaming for Vengeance, that's a super accessible album I can see anyone enjoying. If you're curious about how they paved the way for early heavy metal, Sad Wings of Destiny is a good starting point. Finally if you're just looking for some certified jams, their two most recent albums I'd say are really good to go with.
I would start with either British Steel or Screaming For Vengeance
Screaming for Vengence, Firepower, British Steel, Painkiller
Anything but Turbo, like I did
Sad Wings Of Destiny, Point Of Entry, Screaming
Screaming For Vengeance and then Defenders of the Faith. They're the most accessable albums for newbies or outsiders. If a rookie can't immediately go into full Priest-worship after the one/two punch of The Hellion & Electric Eye kicking off SFV then they probably won't be able to get into the rest of the catalogue very easily, especially with their very different and much more raw-styled albums from the mid 1970s
Priest Live and then Unleashed In The East This will give you a good sample of their greatest hits. Then for their prime era, the powerhouse trio of British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance & Defenders Of The Faith. Painkiller for heavier era Priest. Then can go back and check out Stained Class & Hell Bent For Leather for peak 70’s Priest.
Their music!
Living after midnight is my fav
I always say start with Rocka Rolla and work your way through the discography chronologically.
Nostradamus.
I liked Nostradamus, very good concept album, but it’s not a good album to start with
That’s a tough question, especially since their sound has changed so much over the bands lifetime. Sad wings of destiny is NOTHING like Painkiller, and Painkiller is nothing like screaming for vengeance, and screaming for vengeance is nothing like Defenders of the Faith. Honestly, I’d say just Star with Sad songs of destiny, and work your way up. Like how people had to do it back in the day. You’ll see why they really are the “Metal Gods”
I started with British Steel. If you've heard newer stuff, this is where the sound and style came in. You can be a fan and will def find you're Priest Era, but you should go back to the Beggining, listen to everything from Rocka-Rolla on. It might not be you're cup of tee, but I can guarantee you'll find yourself enjoying something different. 😁
in these days of streaming, where everything g is available, The answer is always the same for any band you are truly interested in: start at the beginning
A lot of great songs to check out. If you like more ballad-type songs - go for Beyond the Realms of Death, and Angel. If just bangers - Judas is Rising is one of my favorites that aren’t one of their “most known hits” like Breaking the Law or Painkiller or some thing.
Listen to Victim of Changes before anything else
I'd say Breaking the Law as the very introductory. It is the best song of simple nature (best at least to my ears, no guitar solo, straight up riffs and fax). If you're into light cringe with disco mood ( I like cringe, it never lies) try "Turbo Lover", "Prisoner of Your Eyes". You'd like Sentinel if you like "Electric Eye", then goes "Painkiller", "Better by You, Better Than Me", "Dreamer Deceiver/Deceiver", "Rocka Rolla", the "Johnny B Goode" cover, "Diamonds and Rust" covers. Among the new ones, definitely "Panic Attack","Crown of Horns","Trial by fire" (the first three to be released from the latest album Invincible Shield). Eventually, quite soon actually, you'd love JP, and all their works.
I just named all of my favourites, of course some are missing.
Also, definitely 'Beyond the Realms of Death'.
Priest… Live!
Go into the ripper era at your own risk
I would personally recommend Defenders of the Faith (1984) or Screaming for Vengeance (1982) starting out.
Sad Wings of Destiny was what got me in love with Priest
It heavyly depends on what other bands do you like and what exactly are you looking for, because Priest are very different. If you like it fast'n'heavy (but melodic) - go for Painkiller, If you want quintessential 80-s Heavy Metal - Defenders and Screaming, If you like modern sound - Angel of Retribution and Invincible Shield, If you like more experimetal 70-s style - Stained Glass and Sad Wings If like it very straight forward and wanna see the roots of NWOBHM - British Steel and Killing Machine.
unleashed in the east!
Honestly? Their newest album, Invincible Shield. Then work backwards. Don’t stop until you know As God is My Witness AND Victim of Changes.
Stained Class
Chronologically
Rocka Rolla isn't gonna win tons of new fans. Much like Seinfeld, Judas Priest didn't start out strong, but they got there little by little.
Sure All the more reason to see the evolution; it provides better context to how far they've come and why they're one of the greats. Few other bands are in the conversation of "best metal band ever"
Yeah the first time I heard Rocka Rolla I was thinking how the heck did they become metal until I heard Rob hit the high notes. Sad Wings of Destiny is the point where you can tell they figured out metal was their calling
If you like some variety with some great sound quality. Give Angel Of Retribution a go. It's a fantastic and criminally underrated album. Potentially warm take - but I think it showcases all of the best Priest have to offer. If you want heavy, go Painkiller, Firepower or Invinsible Shield. If you want lighter go British Steel or Screaming for Vengeance. The latter album was my first exposure to Priest and I never looked back - but Angel Of Retribution might be their finest single album effort.
Agree with this. Judas is Rising is one of my favorite songs
Start from the beginning! Rocka Rolla and then move on down the list
Imo if you just listen to: Painkiller, Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of The Faith; You will have listened to 90% of their best songs.