It's very hard to say that it's the best Judas Priest album! At least for me.

One of the worst and overrated albums ever.

My fav. Judas album, up to date. they were so bold in making this album, turn up the style a bit more rougher, faster, stronger...the result is brilliant! this album was big step ahead.

Written by VPeter on 01.02.2010 at 15:10

One of the worst and overrated albums ever.

can't agree more...and the lyrics really suck

Written by advent on 17.02.2010 at 16:57
can't agree more...and the lyrics really suck

Pfft, its hardly like they're Dream Evil levels of chessiness!

My opinion on the album, is it's probably the best pure heavy metal album of all time. The only reason I put it above "Defenders Of The Faith" though is because DOTF has one track I dont like that much, whereas I like all the tracks on "Painkiller". It was like a revitalised Priest, much like ''Dehumanizer'' sounded like a re-energised Black Sabbath. I actually think both albums came out the same year too. Weird!

I somehow dont like this album and especially i dont like the title song...

This album is pretty overatted only one good song is painkiller.

Written by Boxcar Willy on 26.07.2010 at 03:23

This album is pretty overatted only one good song is painkiller.

What? You're giving an album on which you only like one song and you think is overrated a 10/10 rating? :\

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.07.2010 at 06:22

Written by Boxcar Willy on 26.07.2010 at 03:23

This album is pretty overatted only one good song is painkiller.

What? You're giving an album on which you only like one song and you think is overrated a 10/10 rating? :\

... i dont know why the tens there... hmm

1 good song? Hell Patrol is not good? damn!...all tracks are brilliant, it's Judas Priest! the best heavy metal band...

Very fucking tasty record, riffs, drum pattern vocals, lead works, all things is perfect, Best Priest album .

As a very long Judas Priest fan I find it hard to pretend it is their best album. I totally understand why some many people find this album mindblowing of course, and I have no objection, but one can't declare it is their best work. Among big fans of the band you'll find many who clearly don't consider Painkiller their best. As for me if I had to rate just ONE Judas Priest album 10/10 it would be Sad Wings Of Destiny (and next day I would regret not to have mentionned Sin After Sin instead, lol). So for what it is Painkiller is impressive but I can't give it more than 8/10 in their discography.

Comparing it to Screaming for Vengeance and my personal fav: British Steel; it's at least in the top 3.
But even still: Painkiller is, without a doubt, the LOUDEST album my partially deaf ears hear had the pleasure of listening to.

This album is the pure definition of Heavy Metal. 10/10 for me, and Judas Priest best album by far. All songs are brilliant, no fillers.

U don't like this album, U don't like METAL. Period.

If it is not the BEST metal song ever recorded, "Painkiller" is by far the most METAL metal song ever recorded.

Written by Kevorkian on 11.12.2010 at 09:20

If it is not the BEST metal song ever recorded, "Painkiller" is by far the most METAL metal song ever recorded.

Ive often said that if aliens were to come down to earth and ask "what is this heavy metal of yours?", "Painkiller" is what I would play them. lol xD

Written by Angelic Storm on 18.02.2010 at 18:31

Written by advent on 17.02.2010 at 16:57
can't agree more...and the lyrics really suck

Pfft, its hardly like they're Dream Evil levels of chessiness!

My opinion on the album, is it's probably the best pure heavy metal album of all time. The only reason I put it above "Defenders Of The Faith" though is because DOTF has one track I dont like that much, whereas I like all the tracks on "Painkiller". It was like a revitalised Priest, much like ''Dehumanizer'' sounded like a re-energised Black Sabbath. I actually think both albums came out the same year too. Weird!

I would label "Painkiller" more as Powermetal than traditional Heavy Metal.
I find it a bit too fast to label it simply as Heavy Metal.
You can say it's Heavy/Power, if you want. But traditional Heavy Metal? I don't think so.

There is no way Painkiller has anything to do with power metal.

Just because it has high-pitched screams AND a fast tempo doesn't make it power metal.

Written by Baz Anderson on 11.12.2010 at 16:03

There is no way Painkiller has anything to do with power metal.

Just because it has high-pitched screams AND a fast tempo doesn't make it power metal.

Imo, the album has in common with old Powermetal (but perhaps not with today's Flowermetal). If you compare "Painkiller" to traditional Heavy Metal albums, it is faster and more extreme. Closer to old melodic Speed Metal, imo.

Well, I completely disagree.

Written by Baz Anderson on 11.12.2010 at 16:16

Well, I completely disagree.

I don't mind disagreement. Everyone can have his/her own opinion. But keep in mind I compare the album to OLD Powermetal (melodic Speed Metal) and not the pussified hard rock-ish stuff of today.

Hmm... I dunno if Id call "Painkiller" power metal, but it was definitely highly influential on some power metal bands after it's release. :\ If you take say, a lot of the later Gamma Ray material, it's clear that "Painkiller" was a pretty big influence on Kai's songwriting in those albums. "Painkiller" is like a super-charged version of old school heavy metal. I dont think it's quite power metal, but certainly, some power metal bands incorporated elements from it into their styles.

Written by Angelic Storm on 11.12.2010 at 16:26

Hmm... I dunno if Id call "Painkiller" power metal, but it was definitely highly influential on some power metal bands after it's release. :\ If you take say, a lot of the later Gamma Ray material, it's clear that "Painkiller" was a pretty big influence on Kai's songwriting in those albums. "Painkiller" is like a super-charged version of old school heavy metal. I dont think it's quite power metal, but certainly, some power metal bands incorporated elements from it into their styles.

Perhaps it is not really Powermetal but I agree about it being super-charged compared to old school heavy metal. That's what I meant when I said it was kinda more extreme.
Also, if you consider bands like Primal Fear as Powermetal, I find it a bit contradictory to refuse calling "Painkiller" Powermetal because Primal Fear's material (at least their early material, I never listened to their recent albums) is basically Painkiller 2.

True for Kai's songwriting too. Though I think he usually speeds it up for Gamma Ray.

Primal Fear's earlier albums contain both heavy metal and power metal songs on them. "Painkiller" has no power metal songs on it.

Written by Baz Anderson on 11.12.2010 at 16:46

Primal Fear's earlier albums contain both heavy metal and power metal songs on them. "Painkiller" has no power metal songs on it.

"Painkiller", "Leather Rebel" and "Metal Meltdown" all lean towards Powermetal. I don't remember much the other songs.

No, we've already established that we do not agree on that.
There is nothing power metal on "Painkiller".

Written by Baz Anderson on 11.12.2010 at 16:46

Primal Fear's earlier albums contain both heavy metal and power metal songs on them. "Painkiller" has no power metal songs on it.

Just what I was about to say! lol

Its the same kinda thing with a lot of the later Gamma Ray stuff. There was a lot more heavy metal on those albums, as opposed to the pure power metal of albums like "Land Of The Free" and "Somwhere Out In Space". Ravenking made a good point about Primal Fear, who definitely have a lot of Priest influence in their sound, especially from "Painkiller". And they are classed as power metal. But there's nothing on "Painkiller" which is full on speed metal, like say "Angel In Black", or "Back From Hell". PF are definitely very influenced by old-school metal and Priest, but also from thrash, and melodic speed metal.

Written by Baz Anderson on 11.12.2010 at 16:51

No, we've already established that we do not agree on that.
There is nothing power metal on "Painkiller".

Believe what you want. However, it's still only your opinion and not fact.

EDIT: Also, "Painkiller" is faster and has more power than tons of bands people refer to as Powermetal these days.

Written by Angelic Storm on 11.12.2010 at 14:07

Written by Kevorkian on 11.12.2010 at 09:20

If it is not the BEST metal song ever recorded, "Painkiller" is by far the most METAL metal song ever recorded.

Ive often said that if aliens were to come down to earth and ask "what is this heavy metal of yours?", "Painkiller" is what I would play them. lol xD

Good choice. However, if they look like they could kick our asses, you might consider playing them a different song, unless you've got The Painkiller hanging out in your closet ready to lend a hand.