What the Riff?!?

1982 - August: Judas Priest "Screaming for Vengeance"


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One of the founding groups of heavy metal is Judas Priest, and their eighth studio album entitled Screaming for Vengeance would be their commercial breakthrough album for North America.  In addition to the distincive vocals of Rob Halford, the Judas Priest lineup for this album included K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton on guitars, Ian Hill on bass, and Dave Holland on drums.

Judas Priest was formed in 1969, but did not issue a record on a major label until 1977 and their third studio album.  Their sixth studio album, British Steel, was the first to feature Dave Holland on drums and is considered their high water mark by most critics.  However, Screaming for Vengeance would find both heavy metal and mainstream rock success 

Friends of the show Joe Davis and John Lynch join us for this album while Bruce and Brian are away.

 

The Hellion
The lead track to the album is this short instrumental that builds to Electric Eye.

Electric Eye
This track follows The Hellion on the album and is often the leading song at Judas Priest concerts.  The inspiration comes from George Orwell's 1984 - the electric eye is the camera that the totalitarian government uses to watch over all in the dystopian community.  While not released as a single, this is a well known song played on rock stations at the time.

Riding the Wind
A deeper cut, this is everything you would want in a metal song - fast drums, screaming guitars, and high vocals in a minor key. “Tearin' up through life million miles an hour!  Blindin' all in sight, surgin' rush of power!  Well I'm riding, riding on the wind.”

You Got Another Thing Coming
The first single released from the album is now one of Judas Priest's signature songs.  It reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it is the only Judas Priest song to make that chart.  The song reflects the idea of taking life by the horns, and not letting anything stand between you and your dreams.

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Raised on the Radio by the Ravyns (from the motion picture “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”)
This movie came out in August of 1982, and would be a mainstay of midnight movies throughout the 80's.  This song is the leading track from the motion picture soundtrack album.

STAFF PICKS:

Favourite Shirts by Haircut 100
Rob's staff pick is also known as "Boy Meets Girl."  Haircut 100 is one of the New Wave bands which was a part of the second British Invasion.  It is a fast song with a conga feel.  

Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier
Friend of the show Joe Davis features the lead track from Squier's album "Emotions In Motion."  It hit number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent six weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.  The lyrics reflect the hazards of leaning on superficial looks.

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Friend of the show John Lynch brings us the main theme from Rocky III."  It was also the title song from their third album, and the single was released a day before the movie.  Naturally it rapidly climbed the charts and was the number 1 song for the month of August 1982.  

Beyond Belief by Elvis Costello
Wayne's staff pick is a deep cut off Costello's album "Imperial Bedroom."  A very complex and multi-layered song, the lyrics are also quite clever.  "Keep your finger on important issues/ with crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues."

 

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Nuevo York by Santana
Santana's distinctive Latin infused guitar licks take us out on this week's podcast.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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What the Riff?!?By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute

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