Spec's Olde Timey Metal Album Review

Judas Priest "Ram It Down" (1988)

I think this is the one Judas Priest album (along with "Turbo") that takes the most flack. Honestly, I'm not sure why. I myself have given it alot of flack over the years and I have forgotten why. That has prompted me to go back and listen to this album once again with fresh ears. Let's see what I find out....





1. Ram It Down

Great JP song. The best off this album and Turbo, if you ask me. So obviously Rob and the boys still have the balls. I like this song better than Painkiller for pure aggression. I feel like Painkiller is a little over the top to be honest. "Ram It Down" has enough control over the mayhem leaving me wanting more after the song is done. In contrast, "Painkiller" just makes feel like a just spooged a load all over my stomach in a room full of over zealous ladyboys. I'm all sticky and I don't remember what happened in the previous 5 minutes. Anyone know where I'm going with this? Anyhoo, "Ram It Down" has pure and simple riffage and amazing solos that are sure to satisfy. 10/10

2. Heavy Metal

This should be the anthem off this record. The song is called "Heavy Metal" for cripes sake. Great guitar work at the beginning (by Glenn I would assume) gets you pumped and excited for this song. Then the vocals, mechanical bass sound and drum machine kick in and my first thought is always "What the hell??" All that pomp and circumstance for a drum machine and gated vocals? Ugh. Rob's vocals, sans effects, still smoke on this one though. This was when that upper register of his really shined. All in all, this is really a catchy song. My big complaint is the manufactured tones of the rhythm section. The effects on Glenn's guitar are killer during the solo. Pure 80's sound. "Heavy Metal" is not a bad song if you can overlook, again, the poor rhythm section. 8/10

3. Love Zone

Ahhh...the drum machine again. Just wonderful. Don't ask me why but this song reminds me of a song that could have been on Ted Nugent's "Little Miss Dangerous" album. I don't know, this particular song, while not completely horrible, initially sounds like filler. However, the overtly sexual lyrics from Rob Halford are pretty amusing 20 years later. Great soloing again. There isn't much better than Glenn Tipton and KK Downing. But this song left my brain 2 seconds after it stopped. 5/10

4. Come And Get It

Whitesnake-esque riffage starts out this tune. I must admit, I'm getting used to the synthesized drum tones. This would be the radio hit of this album if they had decided to release it. Great song. I like that catchy 80's anthem feel. But it's a Whitesnake rip-off, riff-wise with a touch of Priest tossed in to throw you off. 9/10

5. Hard As Iron

Awesome tune. A speedy riff that gets your blood pumping. A touch of melody in the chorus. Great, great song, IMO. Almost as good as "Ram It Down" but not quite. I have no idea why I never remembered this song. Why could they not continue making songs like this one? 9/10


6. Blood Red Skies

"Out In The Cold Part II". Nice try, but not quite. This is the other song I remember from this album other than "Ram It Down" and "Johnny B Goode". The synth drums and Rockman guitar tone make me feel like this should be either featured in an episode of Miami Vice, or used as a pro wrestler's theme song. Not a bad song at all, but it's missing something. Add in the fact that this is an obvious attempt to be an "Out In The Cold" clone (just like "A Touch of Evil" on Painkiller) which is a big turnoff. 7/10

7. I'm A Rocker

Nice melody in the riff. I really like that. However this is another attempt at an anthem from this album but it falls flat a bit for me. This song is pretty middle of the road and ho-hum for my taste. Not horrible, just rather forgettable. 5/10

8. Johnny B Goode

Horrible idea for a cover song. If Chuck Berry weren't busy filming young ladies in bathrooms he would be pretty pissed at this song. Or maybe not, as I'm sure he got a good amount of cash for this atrocity. This is the worst song on this album if not the worst song in Priest's catalog up to this point. Hit the Skip button, please. 2/10

9. Love It To Death

I can't really be honest about this song, because it has an element that I despise in 80's metal. That "shuffle" feel to it. This is the type of song that average bands would call "Bad Boy Strut" or "Ladies Night Shuffle". Something extremely bad like that. "Love It To Death" is a horribly forgettable tune. This is the textbook definition of "filler". 2/10

10. Monsters of Rock

A lyrical idea that Halford would revisit many years later with his own band on "Made In Hell". This is a story about well, the "Monsters of Rock" and their influence. "Monsters of Rock" is a slow number that may turn you off initially, but there is an unpolished gem here. However, I still feel that maybe they were trying to continue their idea of "Metal Gods" on this one. Pretty good tune, but I question why a thick, slow number was chosen to close the album. 8/10






Overall, I was impressed upon listening to "Ram It Down" again, however, I realize why I hadn't listened to it in years. The first half (we used to call them "sides" in the old days, kiddies) of the album is really solid and strong. The second half, not so much. Unfortunately the bad elements stick in my head longer than the good. Sadly, I feel this album marked an end to an era with Judas Priest. It seems like this was the last album where they felt like they didn't need to prove anything. Starting with "Painkiller" I feel the band started taking themselves too seriously and had to prove that they were heavy and deserved the 'Metal Gods" crown, whatever that is. But pop this one in when you get a chance and see if you agree with me.