Metal Monarchy
HISTORY OF METAL: 1978 - JUDAS PRIEST GET HELL BENT FOR LEATHER, BLACK SABBATH SAY DIE
1978 was one of Judas Priest's finest years, as well as one of the original Black Sabbath's absolute worst.
It was ultimately a transitionary period in the genre, as the marriage of punk's do-it-yourself ethics with metal's musicianship that was pioneered by Motörhead the previous year would truly take off in 1979 with an explosion of new bands.
1978 was most memorable as being the year that Judas Priest released not one, but two classic albums. Stained Class and Killing Time - which was retitled Hell Bent for Leather when it was released the following year in the U.S. - were heavy masterpieces filled with roaring riffs and blazing solos. Priest finally began to get some recognition in the U.S., with both albums entering the Billboard 200.
It was during their tours in '78 that Judas Priest finally introduced their famous black leather-and-studs outfits to the world as well. The dark and menacing attire would become synonymous with Priest and heavy metal itself for decades to come. The Stained Class album is also infamous for including "Better By You, Better Than Me," the song that was blamed for the suicide attempts of two teenagers in 1990. The case was brought to court, but eventually dropped.
"Exciter" live in Japan, 1978:
Black Sabbath's offering - the ironically titled Never Say Die! - is nothing more than a meandering, pointless rock album. It is probably the least metal album of Ozzy-era Sabbath's catalog. The internal trouble in the band's camp had clearly reached a breaking point, as the album feels rushed and cobbled together in most spots. With the exception of the haunting piano melody of "Air Dance," the album lacks the creativity and polish of Sabbath's previous efforts. It was the last LP that Ozzy recorded with Black Sabbath, as he would soon "say die" and go on to start his own wildly successful solo career in 1980.
"Never Say Die!" music video:
It was ultimately a transitionary period in the genre, as the marriage of punk's do-it-yourself ethics with metal's musicianship that was pioneered by Motörhead the previous year would truly take off in 1979 with an explosion of new bands.
1978 was most memorable as being the year that Judas Priest released not one, but two classic albums. Stained Class and Killing Time - which was retitled Hell Bent for Leather when it was released the following year in the U.S. - were heavy masterpieces filled with roaring riffs and blazing solos. Priest finally began to get some recognition in the U.S., with both albums entering the Billboard 200.
It was during their tours in '78 that Judas Priest finally introduced their famous black leather-and-studs outfits to the world as well. The dark and menacing attire would become synonymous with Priest and heavy metal itself for decades to come. The Stained Class album is also infamous for including "Better By You, Better Than Me," the song that was blamed for the suicide attempts of two teenagers in 1990. The case was brought to court, but eventually dropped.
"Exciter" live in Japan, 1978:
Black Sabbath's offering - the ironically titled Never Say Die! - is nothing more than a meandering, pointless rock album. It is probably the least metal album of Ozzy-era Sabbath's catalog. The internal trouble in the band's camp had clearly reached a breaking point, as the album feels rushed and cobbled together in most spots. With the exception of the haunting piano melody of "Air Dance," the album lacks the creativity and polish of Sabbath's previous efforts. It was the last LP that Ozzy recorded with Black Sabbath, as he would soon "say die" and go on to start his own wildly successful solo career in 1980.
"Never Say Die!" music video:
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