Everything about British Steel Album totally explained
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,
Killing Machine,
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 didn't 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's 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
Heavy Metal: Louder than Life 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.
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 |
Further Information
Get more info on 'British Steel Album'.
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