Ram It Down
1988
Columbia
After the blemishing album 'Turbo' was released in 1986, the members of JUDAS PRIEST, instead of scrapping the idea of traditional heavy metal, continued with it and released a second one of the genre set in 1988, titled 'Ram It Down'. It is obvious that they tried it in the past, with albums such as 'Sad Wings Of Destiny', 'Sin After Sin', 'Stained Class' and 'Killing Machine'. All of these albums reached some sort of success, and some of them even reached huge popularity, like 'Sad Wings of Destiny' and 'Stained Class'. However, PRIEST stopped making the heavy metal sound and instead moved toward a sound of NWoBHM.
After the 1984 release of 'Defenders of the Faith', they came back with the old trad. heavy metal sound once again. However, being not used to it for awhile, didn't do as well in the beginning (in the case of 'Turbo'.) They continued the trend even in the face of their failure, and released 'Ram It Down' as a followup album.
The album features some great tracks, such as the title track, "Heavy Metal", and my favorite JUDAS PRIEST song, "Blood Red Skies". These tracks, although not being the typical JUDAS PRIEST sound many people know as of today, are amazing 5 star tracks.
'Ram It Down' does also have some strange and overall weak tracks, like "Love Zone", "Love You to Death", and the cover that I'd never think would come from JP, "Johnny B. Goode" (I love the original song by the way).
Mixed ratings came out of this album, most people liked it, yet many wanted either a different sound or a new sound, and that side one in the end, and this was their last trad. heavy metal album until 'Demolition' in 2001. This definitely has more pros than cons, however, and I suggest that whoever likes the Trad. Heavy Metal that JP came out with back in the 70's, would like this album as well.
2017 - The Frying Pan & Thatcher
Originally written for Metal Music Archives on 10/2/2014.
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