TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Sad Wings Of Destiny" - Judas Priest (1976)

"Sad Wings Of Destiny" - Judas Priest (1976)

      Sometimes, when you're very hungry, you make a great album.  Judas Priest's sophomore album is, if not great, very good and on so many levels.  I especially enjoy the prog-shine the album has without sacrificing any of the doomage.  Even when a song does chill, the danger dust hovers close by.  Judas Priest was definitely trying to push things forward, led by Rob Halford's vocal-razor insanity, a proggy-doom metal cast, and dual guitars biting and spitting.  Whether they knew it at the time, I haven't a clue, but in 1976, the genre was taking a much-needed louie from a path that was becoming overly familiar.  

It was one of those "giant steps for mankind" that one only recognizes after the fact.  A bit ahead of the game, Judas P. was.  The sound was more edgier and more threatening.  Budgie and Queen with a poisoned hairpin.  They were working it out and still climbing the wall, but they quickly found the knife to butter their bread, and metalheads everywhere were starting to take notes.  As for Judas Priest...they've been eating just fine.

     Still, something was lost with all that was gained.  The band never brushed as close to prog as satisfyingly as they dig here.  But that's how the magical, mystical forces so often balance the books.  And that's okay.  But holy schnikes!  "Sad Wings Of Destiny" was definitely an unexpected prog-gloom banger that begs another deep dive with fresh ears.

"Sad Wings Of Destiny" - Judas Priest (back)

Favorites include:
Well, my first choice is needle-drop side one.  No diggity.
But if I cherry-pick:
"Victim of Changes"
"The Ripper"
"Dream Deceiver"
"Tyrant"

This copy is not a first pressing.  My copy is an early reissue on Ovation Records and one without a barcode, which has always been sort of my cutoff point.  Everything in the deadwax is etched except for "Masterfonics," which is stamped.  Also etched in the deadwax on side one is the name JASON C. HARRIS.  I could not find another album pressing with that matrix listed anywhere on Discogs, so any help would be appreciated.  The vinyl is nice VG+, and the cover is very nice as well, with just light scuffs on the edges.  

I found the square up in Olathe, Kansas.  It had a $25 price tag, so I probably bundled it with a few others and paid a bit less.  And for an interesting "I Didn't Know That."  When Judas Priest changed management to sign with Columbia Records, the band lost all rights to the recording royalties from their first two albums and all other recordings while with Gull Records. 

Ovation Records

Cat #
OV/1751
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
OV-1751-A-1-1-111  6  Masterfonics  PRC  JASON C. HARRIS
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
OV-1751-B-1-1-1  Masterfonics  PRC  1 6

"Victim Of Changes" - Judas Priest / "Sad Wings Of Destiny" (1976)

TRACKS:
A1  "Victim of Changes" 7:45
A2  "The Ripper" 2:50
A3  "Dreamer Deceiver" 5:56
A4  "Deceiver" 2:46
B1  "Prelude" 2:02
B2  "Tyrant" 4:26
B3  "Genocide" 5:47
B4  "Epitaph" 3:16
B5  "Island Of Domination" 4:26

PERSONNEL:
Rob Halford - vocals
K. K. Downing - guitars
Glenn Tipton - guitars, piano, synthesizer (B1)
Ian Hill - bass
Alan Moore - drums

Good stuff.

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