One of the most vigorous productions ever heard in the metal world.
The album kicks off with the title track "painkiller" featuring one of the most iconic drum intros in metal, quickly transitioning into an unforgettable guitar riff, while Rob Halford's voice tells us about a "metal monster" coming to Earth to save humanity. It courses through lightning-fast solos that carry us toward the end of the track with a tension-filled atmosphere, exploding into an epic finale. The tracks follow one another relentlessly through powerful, massive riffs, sharp and fast solos while Halford speaks of "devastating hellish troops" and "black demons ready to kill."
The second part of the album opens with "night crawler" with a "dark" riff that catapults us into a nighttime storm; we're alone and frightened, chased by a bloodthirsty demon. It continues with the evil "Between the hammer & the anvil" and "A touch of evil," leading to the battle anthem "Battle Hymn," which transports us to the midst of a battle "One Shot and Glory" strong and full of pride, ready to face the enemy.
All the songs exude violence and power, from the explosive drum passages "painkiller," "all guns blazing," "between the hammer & the anvil," to the guitar solos executed with meticulous technical skill "painkiller," "metal meltdown," to Rob Halford's incredible voice, switching from being piercing through such powerful high notes that leave one amazed, to the seductive "a touch of evil." The guitars of Tipton/Downing are characterized by a very powerful and refined distortion creating such a unique sound that leaves one stunned, accompanied by Hill's steady bass and Travis's majestic and hammering drums.
The entire work enjoys a first-class execution by the English band, taking Heavy Metal to the stars.
We are faced with one of the best songs ever written, fittingly covered by the great Chuck (R.I.P.) of Death in his last work.
Daily bread for anyone who calls themselves a metalhead!
"Rob Halford’s extraordinary voice immediately stands out."
"'Hell’s Patrol' is my favorite and, in my opinion, is a masterpiece."
Painkiller represents the pinnacle reached by heavy metal as a pure genre.
The absolute masterpiece is the splendid title track, 'Painkiller': insane speed, riffs as sharp as chainsaws and extremely fast and super technical solo sections.
PAINKILLER REPRESENTS THE PEAK REACHED BY HEAVY METAL AS A PURE GENRE.
THE BEST "PURE" HEAVY ALBUM EVER CONCEIVED.
It’s my first time :) I’m about to review a masterpiece, a milestone of heavy metal, in my opinion, the best work by Judas Priest.
Just this piece would be worth the purchase of the album, but Judas did not hold back and gave us one masterpiece after another.