Metal Sludge Gossip Board

They really ditched any 70s elements with British Steel. Compared to their previous releases it is dumbed down. Much fewer guitar riffs and drum fills. And I'm not sure if they ever grooved again. Compare the kick on Hell Bent... to any album thereafter, it's never loose.
I'd rank Priests '70s records like this:

1. Hell Bent
2. Sin After Sin
3. Stained Class
4. Rocka Rolla
5. Sad Wings

I know it's crazy to put Sad Wings last but these are just in order of how often I listen

1. Stained Class
2. Killing Machine
3. Sad Wings of Destiny
4. Sin after Sin
5. Rocka Rolla

Can't go wrong with Stained Class, Hell Bent/Killing Machine, and Sin After Sin. Took influence from what Gillen and Mercury were doing and set the template for metal vocals for the 80s metal scene.

Stained
Sad
Hell
Sin
Rocka

Sad Wings
Stained Class
Hell Bent
Sin After Sin
Rocka Rolla

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 4:48 pm Stained
Sad
Hell
Sin
Rocka

This. Stained is their best album overall.
But I think the dumbing down / Kiss/Van Halenization started on Hell Bent with songs like "Rock Forever", "Running Wild", "Evening Star"... and "Take On the World" was covered live by pop hitmakers Human League.

They're all pretty even in my book. 2 or 3 good tunes on each album and the rest just average. Weak 70s production doesn't help matters...

Stained
Killing
Sin
Sad
Rocka

1 Sad Wings Destiny
2 Stained Class
3 Sin After Sin
4 Hell Bent for Leather
5 Rocka Rolla

Wings
Sin
Rocka
Stained
Hell

1. SWOD
2. RR
2. SC
4. KM
5. SAS