First of all, the tracks earlier omitted by Bain are a blessing for the album, and are all highlights. They might have spiced up Rocka Rolla, but they’re doing even better here, and combine nicely with the style that is heard here. Sad Wings of Destiny is darker and sometimes slightly creepy, yet it’s also serene in parts. The cover art, which is also one of the best to adorn a Judas Priest album so far, reflects this atmosphere and is truly representative of what the album actually sounds like. Even the old gothic-styled band logo suits the album better than the new one, which was perfect for their more polished image.
As far as instruments are concerned, they all work together extremely well. The subtle piano work of Tipton is a great background contributor in setting the atmosphere, for example in Prelude and Epitaph. Even more notable is the lead guitar work, which has drastically improved since Rocka Rolla and is now truly heavy metal sounding, as well as a bass guitar that thumps like it should, especially in Victim of Changes. The guitars are very inventive for ‘76, and it becomes clear why this was such an influential album for heavy metal. Rob Halford completes it all; he is in perfect shape here and uses his large vocal range in enough different aspects to keep the album interesting at all times. From high-pitched screams to snarling to semi-operatic vocals, he does all of it. He’s actually not the supreme vocalist many make him out to be, but he can show many different vocal styles and is a born entertainer. The monstrous roar at the end of Victim of Changes never gets boring.
The switching of original Side A and Side B is interesting enough. Prelude and Tyrant were great openers, but Victim of Changes is even better. A wonderful epic that hits hard with its straight-out heavy main riff and screams from Halford, a subtle, almost atmospheric middle part, brilliant soloing, and a grande finale the way it should be. The Ripper is a sudden change in length, not even hitting the 3-minute mark, but keeping the pace up very well. Both are absolute highlights, but that’s not where it stops. Tyrant, Genocide and Island of Domination are all classics. The only complaint there could be about the track ordering is the missing of a adequate closer, but there are sadly enough no candidates for that among the track list. Other than that, the flow of the album is flawless.
Lyrically, Sad Wings of Destiny is almost stunning for a Judas Priest record. In most cases they are well thought-out, and not too cheesy, except for Tyrant:
Tracklist for Sad Wings of Destiny:
1. Victim of Changes
2. The Ripper
3. Dreamer Deceiver
4. Deceiver
5. Prelude
6. Tyrant
7. Genocide
8. Epitaph
9. Island of Domination
As far as instruments are concerned, they all work together extremely well. The subtle piano work of Tipton is a great background contributor in setting the atmosphere, for example in Prelude and Epitaph. Even more notable is the lead guitar work, which has drastically improved since Rocka Rolla and is now truly heavy metal sounding, as well as a bass guitar that thumps like it should, especially in Victim of Changes. The guitars are very inventive for ‘76, and it becomes clear why this was such an influential album for heavy metal. Rob Halford completes it all; he is in perfect shape here and uses his large vocal range in enough different aspects to keep the album interesting at all times. From high-pitched screams to snarling to semi-operatic vocals, he does all of it. He’s actually not the supreme vocalist many make him out to be, but he can show many different vocal styles and is a born entertainer. The monstrous roar at the end of Victim of Changes never gets boring.
The switching of original Side A and Side B is interesting enough. Prelude and Tyrant were great openers, but Victim of Changes is even better. A wonderful epic that hits hard with its straight-out heavy main riff and screams from Halford, a subtle, almost atmospheric middle part, brilliant soloing, and a grande finale the way it should be. The Ripper is a sudden change in length, not even hitting the 3-minute mark, but keeping the pace up very well. Both are absolute highlights, but that’s not where it stops. Tyrant, Genocide and Island of Domination are all classics. The only complaint there could be about the track ordering is the missing of a adequate closer, but there are sadly enough no candidates for that among the track list. Other than that, the flow of the album is flawless.
Lyrically, Sad Wings of Destiny is almost stunning for a Judas Priest record. In most cases they are well thought-out, and not too cheesy, except for Tyrant:
Tracklist for Sad Wings of Destiny:
1. Victim of Changes
2. The Ripper
3. Dreamer Deceiver
4. Deceiver
5. Prelude
6. Tyrant
7. Genocide
8. Epitaph
9. Island of Domination