Hello everyone, I'm addressing those who will read this review, and who will rightfully criticize me. In my defense, I can only say that 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.
The album, dated 1990, consists of 10 tracks (the total duration does not reach 40 minutes) that are the manifesto of the Judas Priest, a testimony of their identity, and it's also the last performance of Rob Halford with Judas until the reunion in 2004.
It starts immediately with the title track "Painkiller" with an exceptional performance by the British quintet, and especially the singer, just this piece would be worth the purchase of the album, but Judas did not hold back and gave us one masterpiece after another. In fact, the second song is the sinister "Hell Patrol" where Halford's voice and Travis's heavy drumming contribute to creating a sinister atmosphere. The next track doesn't miss a beat, "All Guns Blazing", a real cannon shot fired into the heads of all the headbangers! "Leather Rebel" reflects our attire, leather and studs, and maintains exceptional levels, "Metal Meltdown" is the track that struck me the least on the album, with a chorus that repeats obsessively throughout the song. "Nightcrawler" and "Between The Hammer & The Anvil" are two less fast tracks compared to "Hell Patrol", but they are still two of the many gems contained in this treasure chest and serve as a prelude to "A Touch Of Evil" which would fit magnificently in some horror film. Halford's voice proves exceptional as always and the whole group demonstrates (if there was still any need) what Judas Priest are made of.
"Battle Hymn" is an instrumental track which, in my opinion, could have been extended more, perhaps by adding some lyrics. The album closes with "One Shot At Glory", the longest and least speed track on the album, which adds an extra touch of epicness to this work, which I have no doubt placing among the best heavy metal albums in history!
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.
"Painkiller is a monster and at the same time a metal demigod loaded with apocalyptic and pseudo-messianic threats."
"METAL IS PAINKILLER!"