After the critical but not commercial success of Sad Wings of Destiny, Judas Priest released Sin After Sin almost exactly a year later. Sin after Sin has a similar sound to its predecessor but there are a few nuances. First of all, if I’m not mistaken, there is no more Piano. In other words, no more cool experimentation. Secondly, the rhythm section (or at least the drums) sound different. That’s because drummer Alan Moore (I found his name) was replaced by Lez Binks. Mr. Binks here used a little something that is abused by modern metal bands called a double bass pedal. Therefore, Binks was playing completely different beats from what Moore used to play; his beats sound more like metal and less like rock. K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton’s lead work is still outstanding and sounds awesome. It is the same case with Rob Halford’s vocals. Well, their drummer is better and the rest of the band is ahead of their game as always. Now that they have defined their style shouldn’t this be a remarkable album that will be remembered as one of the greatest metal albums of all time (or something like that)? Well, no. Not really at all. The album is decent with its share of heavy tunes but it falls short. The softer tracks are not powerful or moving enough and are rather dull. Also, some songs seem a bit flawed.
The band:
Rob Halford: Vocals
K.K. Downing: Lead guitars
Glenn Tipton: Lead guitars
Ian Hill: Bass guitars
Lez Binks: Drums
The tracks:
1) Sinner: The song begins with some noises made by one of the guitarists. Then after a quick strike of the snare drum a simple but O so heavy classic Priest riff kicks in. Soon after, Rob starts singing but his voice sounds a bit heavier than usual. The chorus is very heavy with Rob repeating “Sinner” in a high pitched voice, the guitarists heavy riffing, and the double bass beat from Lez. After a mid section, there is a solo but it is not amazing or anything worth noting. Yet, the part that comes after the solo really completes the song. There is a slower riff with the other guitarist makes some strange sounds and Rob singing “Thirty years now sleeping, so sound”. Then after a few high-pitched screams from Rob the whole band kicks back to the chorus and ends the song. Excellent song that makes the rest of the album seem very promising. Its, in my opinion, the best track on the album. 5/5.
2) Diamonds and Rust: This song is a cover by some one named Joan Baez. Priest had originally covered it on their debut album Rocka Rolla but they decided to rerecord it on this album for some reason. The main riff is a standard galloping riff but some effect is used. I believe it’s Flanger but I’m not sure. I’ve never heard the original version by who ever Joan Baez is but I’m sure it is different sounding.
Rob comes in singing very melodically. This song has really great lyrics that really make you feel a bit despaired. It is a rather soft song but not really a ballad. As I said I’ve never heard the original but I’m assuming this is a pretty well done cover. Soothingly beautiful song. 4.5/5.
3) Star Breaker: Kicks off with a drum intro where you can hear Lez using that double pedal of his. A catchy riff then begins and Rob tells (sings) us about some dude named Starbreaker who takes you to some far off paradise if he chooses to. The lyrics are a bit silly. In addition the slightly audible clapping in the chorus is kinda weird. The mid section sounds really gay (as in happy) and doesn’t seem to go well with the mood of the song. I believe there is a decent solo but it must not be anything special since I don’t remember it. A decent song but the section after the second chorus really throws it off. 3.5/5.
4) The Last Rose of summer: This song is a ballad. It starts off with some clean guitar playing followed by Rob singing. The lyrics actually are not too cheesy but they sound like they are from some poem.
“Throughout the soft and timeless days of August
'Til now the shadows begin to grow much longer
The sunset's fire has deepened blood red
I give you this, the last rose of summer”
The song is pretty melodic and relaxing sounding but it doesn’t have the power that other soft Priest songs have. It is nowhere nearly as good as Dreamer Deceiver from Sad Wings of Destiny. A decent ballad but nothing special. 3/5.
5) Let us Pray: This is just an introduction to the next song. It consists of a little guitar harmony followed by Rob going “O Father please I’m dying”. It is a good intro to the nest song but I don’t think I’ll give it a real rating.
6) Call for the Priest: Starts off with an explosive riff that is rather catchy. The song is relatively fast paced with Lez pounding his double bass pedals. Before the chorus Rob does a cool sort of half scream over the main riff that really adds energy to the song. It isn’t quite as dark sounding as most priest songs of this time. It is rather up beat and more on the rock side than the metal side. Yet, the energy and the mood of the song make it a great headbanger. 4/5.
7) Raw Deal: Starts off with a guitar intro. Shortly after the drums kick in and Rob starts singing as usual. This song is kinda sluggish. The pace is pretty slow and the riff is very rock, kind of like the riffs on their debut album. Towards the end of the song though there is a pretty heavy set of riffs that close the song with some raw energy. I think this song, despite the lyrics, has to do with their first record deal and about how they got ripped off or something like that. A flawed song that had some potential. 3/5.
8) Here Come the Tears: This song is another ballad. And it is TERRIBLE. The instrumentals are really nothing too good but the main thing that makes this song bad is Rob’s wailing and the atrocious lyrics he wails. Let me give you an example.
“Ohhh I want to be loved
I need to be loved
Won't somebody love me”
That’s just pitiful in my opinion. Now imagine Rob Halford literally whining those words and other lines that are almost as bad throughout the whole song. You get a cheesy love ballad. This song was better off never being recorded. 1.5/5.
9) Dissident Aggressor: Starts off quiet as the main riff builds up with some strange tinkering sounds. Then, suddenly, like a heavy metal atomic bomb, Rob let’s out an amazingly high scream and the heaviest riff on the album begins. Rob’s vocals go very well with the verse. Then the song kinda speeds up for the chorus as Rob says one thing and then screams another like “Stab…BAWL…punch…CRAWL”. (Sorry if that wasn’t well explained). The mid section or bridge or whatever its called is overlookable but completes the song. Slayer covered this song and it can be heard on the album South of Heaven. I like Priest’s version better though because Rob’s voice is more suited for the song. Excellent album closer and the heaviest song on the album. 4.5/5.
Bottom Line: This album had lots of potential. Some of Judas Priest’s heaviest riffs can be found on it. The problem is all in the song writing. Most songs either lacked that extra power or strayed from the mood too much. Basically, the songs that aren’t really astounding could have been if the song was better constructed and better though out. Moreover, the ballads (with the exception of Diamonds and Rust if you consider it a ballad) were rather weak. Especially Here Come the Tears. That song is just plain bad. It is visibly pure filler. Yet, some songs, mainly Sinner, Diamonds and Rust, and Dissident Aggressor were very good and are considered Priest classics. I would only recommend this album to die hard fans of the band. For anyone else, this will seem like an average metal album with some bad ballads on it. I personally think it is one of the poorer albums of Judas Priest’s relatively extensive catalogue.
Final rating: 3/5.
