| British Steel | |||||
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| Studio album by Judas Priest | |||||
| Released | April 14 1980 | ||||
| Recorded | January - February 1980 at Startling Studios, Ascot, England | ||||
| Genre | Heavy metal | ||||
| Length | 36:10 | ||||
| Label | Epic Records | ||||
| Producer | Tom Allom | ||||
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British Steel is a heavy metal album by Judas Priest, released on April 14 1980 (see 1980 in music). The album was remastered in 2001, with two bonus tracks added. It is one of their most popular recordings and is widely regarded as one of the band's best efforts, along with Sad Wings of Destiny, Stained Class, Screaming for Vengeance and Painkiller. "Breaking the Law", "United", and "Living After Midnight" were released as singles. The album was recorded at Tittenhurst Park, which was the home of the Beatle Ringo Starr. Sampling did not yet exist at the time of recording, so the band recorded the sounds of smashing milk bottles to be included in "Breaking the Law", as well as various sounds in "Metal Gods" produced by "trays of cutlery" and "billiard cues." The bonus track "Red, White, and Blue" was written sometime during the earlier years of Priest's career. It was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau in July of 1985. Judas Priest explains this track in the remaster booklet as follows:
- "This is a great song which was written as an anthem for audience participation AKA "United" or "Take On the World" and although a little tongue-in-cheek, it is also very patriotic and may bring a tear to your eye! We felt that the end tag of Rule Britannia was very fitting for a British band especially on an album entitled British Steel."
The second bonus track, a live performance of "Grinder", was recorded on May 5, 1984 in Los Angeles during the Defenders of the Faith tour. Anthrax guitar player, Scott Ian said in an interview in the documentary that British Steel was probably the album that really defined heavy metal, because it, according to him, did away with the "last shards of blues" that had otherwise been characteristic of the genre. He said, "Even the title... how does it get more metal than that?" It was featured in the Classic Albums documentary series.
Contents |
Track listing
The UK vinyl and the remastered CD
All songs written by Rob Halford, K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton
- "Rapid Fire" – 4:08
- "Metal Gods" – 4:00
- "Breaking the Law" – 2:35
- "Grinder" – 3:58
- "United" – 3:35
- "You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise" – 5:04
- "Living After Midnight" – 3:31
- "The Rage" – 4:44
- "Steeler" – 4:30
Original US vinyl and original US CD issues
- "Breaking the Law" – 2:35
- "Rapid Fire" – 4:08
- "Metal Gods" – 4:00
- "Grinder" – 3:58
- "United" – 3:35
- "Living After Midnight" – 3:31
- "You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise" – 5:04
- "The Rage" – 4:44
- "Steeler" – 4:30
2001 Bonus Tracks
- "Red, White & Blue" – 3:42
- "Grinder" (Live) – 4:49
Personnel
- Rob Halford: Vocals
- K.K. Downing: Guitars
- Glenn Tipton: Guitars
- Ian Hill: Bass Guitar
- Dave Holland - Drums
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Heavy Metal Albums | 34 |
References
External links
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| Rob Halford · K. K. Downing · Glenn Tipton · Ian Hill · Scott Travis Dave Holland · Tim "Ripper" Owens · Al Atkins · Les Binks · Alan Moore · John Hinch · Chris Campbell · John Pattridge · John Ellis · Simon Phillips |
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| Studio albums | Rocka Rolla · Sad Wings of Destiny · Sin After Sin · Stained Class · Killing Machine · British Steel · Point of Entry · Screaming for Vengeance · Defenders of the Faith · Turbo · Ram It Down · Painkiller · Jugulator · Demolition · Angel of Retribution · Nostradamus |
| Live albums | Unleashed in the East · Priest...Live! · '98 Live Meltdown · Live in London |
| Compilations | The Best of Judas Priest · Hero, Hero · The Collection · Genocide · Metal Works '73-'93 · The Best of Judas Priest: Living After Midnight · Metalogy · The Essential Judas Priest |
| Videos | Live in London · Electric Eye · Rising in the East · Live Vengeance '82 |
| Related articles | Discography · Members |
