Judas Priest - British Steel [UK Import]

Heavy metal left the fantasy maps behind and hit the street on Judas Priest's British Steel, the lean 1980 classic presented here as a UK import.

Recorded at Tittenhurst Park, the country estate then owned by Ringo Starr, with producer Tom Allom, the album caught Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, Ian Hill and drummer Dave Holland at their most focused. Instead of epic, sprawling songs, the band delivered short, punchy anthems with huge choruses and razor-sharp riffs, a template that helped define the new wave of British heavy metal and a generation of bands that followed.

Breaking the Law is the iconic rebel anthem, its chugging riff and shouted chorus instantly recognisable. Living After Midnight is a gloriously cheesy party-starter, while Metal Gods stomps along like an army of robots, with the band famously using rattled cutlery trays and other household items for sound effects. Rapid Fire opens the record at breakneck speed, all twin-guitar fury and Halford's soaring scream.

Tipton and Downing's dual guitars are tight and lethal, and Halford's voice moves easily from menacing growl to operatic wail.

Decades later, its influence is everywhere in metal, and it still sounds built for maximum volume. Crank it up and let the neighbours deal with it.