JUDAS PRIEST - KILLING MACHINE/HELL BENT FOR LEATHER (1978)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Studio album number five in the Judas Priest catalog is Killing Machine.  Undoubtedly, the U.S. division of the band's record company wasn't fond of the name, so it was changed to Hell Bent For Leather for the U.S. release.  The cover of The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) was added to the U.S. release, but was not on the original version of Killing Machine.  The album reached number 128 on the Billboard chart, which was a bit of an improvement over the previous album.  It was also certified Gold by the RIAA.  This was drummer Les Binks last album with the band, and the leather and studs look was adopted about this time.  Basically, this is an awesome album.  Not a bad song to be found, though I will single out a few stellar tracks for the ultimate playlist.  

Album Ranking List:

1. Killing Machine/Hell Bent For Leather

2. Stained Class

3. Sin After Sin

4. Rocka Rolla

5. Sad Wings of Destiny

RJ's Ultimate Judas Priest Playlist (at least one but no more than two from each album):

1. Run Of The Mill

2. The Tyrant

3. Diamonds & Rust

4. Last Rose Of Summer

5. Let Us Prey/Call For The Priest

6. Dissident Aggressor

7. Better By You, Better Than Me

8. Invader

9. Savage

10. Beyond The Realms Of Death

11. Heroes End

12. Fire Burns Below (Did Not Appear On The Original Album)

13. Delivering The Goods

14. Evening Star

15. Hell Bent For Leather

16. The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)

17. Killing Machine

18. Before The Dawn