Judas Priest - Ram It Down
1988 CBS

Track Listing:
1.  Ram It Down
2.  Heavy Metal
3.  Love Zone
4.  Come And Get It
5.  Hard As Iron
6.  Blood Red Skies
7.  I'm A Rocker
8.  Johnny B. Goode
9.  Love You To Death
10. Monsters Of Rock 

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Rob Halford
Guitars:  Glenn Tipton, K. K. Downing
Bass:  Ian Hill
Drums:  Dave Holland

Website:  www.judaspriest.com

Horatio's Rating:  B
Overall Rating:  B

Also be sure to read:
Judas Priest - Angel Of Retribution by Horatio
Judas Priest - Jugulator by Horatio
Judas Priest - Killing Machine by Horatio
Judas Priest - Painkiller by Uncle Meat
Judas Priest - Priest...Live! by Uncle Meat
Judas Priest - Ram It Down by Horatio
Glenn Tipton - Edge Of The World by Horatio
Halford - Resurrection by Follow The Hollow
Peccatum - Oh, My Regrets by Shev (Blood Red Skies cover)

Horatio's Review:
'Ram It Down' caught Judas Priest in an apparent sense of stylistic confusion as they attempted to rid themselves of the high tech synthesizer approach of 1986's 'Turbo' and return to the traditional metal of their fading glory days.  They weren't entirely successful and instead were unable to cast off the sleekness of 'Turbo', instead merging it with some of the most cornball metal ever heard this side of Manowar. It's been said before by others, but Priest had fallen down the ranks of metal's elite, and I suspect Slayer would have been a more interesting alternative in 1988 to this.  Proof of how far Priest had fallen in being a genuinely heavy prospect was Slayer's cover of Priest's 1977 classic 'Dissident Aggressor' on 'South Of Heaven', a cover which fell far short of Priest's menacing original.  One could have only wished Priest to come up with material that raw and serious at this juncture.

This isn't to say 'Ram It Down' is total loss.  It reinforced Priest's position as purveyors of true metal, which is glaringly obvious with titles like 'Heavy Metal'.  You can't help but laugh at tracks like 'Love Zone', 'I'm A Rocker' and the cover of 'Johnny B. Goode', harmless to say the least, and fun, which metal should be at heart anyway.  'Hard As Iron' rivals any Manowar anthem, with the sort of victorious chorus even Joey De Maio might have raised his eyes at.  It led one to believe Priest were heading in a parody like direction, a notion erased by 1990's 'Painkiller', which although maintained the cartoonish imagery, was far heavier music-wise.  Priest by that time realized how far behind they were lagging opposed to the thrashers they helped influence.  'Ram It Down' is recommended nonetheless, always bound to raise a grin or two with its crude charm.  Compared to 'Stained Class', though, we're talking major embarrassment...

Song summaries include...

1. Ram It Down - Confirmation that Priest were 'back' after the radio friendly tracks like 'Hot Nights, Wild And Crazy Days' that dominated 'Turbo'.  Rampantly fast with a classic triumphant harmony line at the 2:23 mark, 'shout it out! we are together now...'  Heavy, but somewhat laughable.  Why, I don't know.  Yes I do.  B

2. Heavy Metal - An obvious attempt to regain the attention of the fans lost with 'Turbo'.  "Yeah, we experimented a liitle," said Tipton, "but we realised what we are.  A heavy metal band.  This is hardcore."  For a track so blatantly titled, this is actually quite bland.  Too high tech and scarcely believable.  If you can believe that.  C+

3. Love Zone - Halford gets to grips with his inner most area.  Hard to imagine Priest singing about wanton women, but here it is.  Absolute cornball down to the racy riffs and pumping drums, which sound computerized.  No heavier than your standard LA hard rock act, but a winner.  B+

4. Come And Get It - That opening riff's a bit harsh isn't it?  But there's a constant sense of synthesized noise in the background.  It's metal at least.  B

5. Hard As Iron - A true classic that would have easily fit on 'Painkiller'.  The chorus soars like nobody's business, indicating 'we have won! we're no 1!'  Some of the guitar harmonies recall 'Heading Out To The Highway', completely acceptable.  Suddenly I have the will to get off the couch and make something of my life!  Maybe.  A+

6. Blood Red Skies - A digital epic that sounds like a robot behind the drum kit instead of convicted child molester Dave Holland.  I don't think I've ever sat through all of this.  From what I hear it's not too bad you know.  B

7. I'm A Rocker - Shouldn't this have been called 'I'm A Metaller'?  Halford stands up for his way of life, because 'no one can take it away'.  He lives 'every day like it's his last'.  Why would that be?  London leatherboys?  Good for a laugh.  B

8. Johnny B. Goode - Recorded for a soundtrack apparently, but that's about it.  Still considering Anthrax were releasing 'State Of Euphoria', this might be considered one of metals more essential moments.  C+

9. Love You To Death - Another raunchy rocker describing Halford's bedroom antics, and being 'tied up on your bed' and 'hittting the spot, giving it all you got'.  Then 'I'm at the point I can't hold back...you great big tease'.  What's this nonsense all about?  Merely a repeat of 'Love Zone'.  But wait!  How about that sped up section near the end?  I'd never heard that until now.  "Uh uh uh uh uh..."  C-

10. Monsters Of Rock - Sheer boredom as Priest continue to reinforce their lofty position as spokespeople for metal.  Agonizingly slow, a tepid end to the album.  Is it any wonder they were losing popularity?  D

Horatio's Rating:  B

Discography (last updated 6.15.06):
Gull demo - 1971
Rocka Rolla - 1974
Sad Wings Of Destiny - 1976
Sin After Sin - 1977
Killing Machine - 1978
Stained Class - 1978
The Best Of Judas Priest - 1978
Diamonds And Rust Live - 1979
Unleashed In The East Live - 1979
British Steel - 1980
Hero, Hero - 1981
Live In Rainbow Music Hall Denver - 1982
Point Of Entry - 1982
Screaming For Vengeance - 1982
SCOOP 33 EP - 1983
Defenders Of The Faith - 1984
Delivering The Goods EP - 1984
Turbo - 1986
Beyond Metal - 1987
Priest...Live! - 1987
Ram It Down - 1988
The Collection - 1989
Painkiller - 1990
The Sharpest Cuts - 1991
The Ultimate In Heavy Metal split with Black Sabbath - 1991
Judas Priest Star box - 1993
Metal Works '73 - '93 - 1993
Pure Classic Gold - 1993
Prisoners Of Pain - 1996
Jugulator - 1997
Living After Midnight - 1997
Live Meltdown EP - 1998
Live Meltdown - 1998
The Best Of Judas Priest:  Living After Midnight - 1998
Priest Live & Rare - 1999
Simply The Best - 1999
Breaking The Law - 2001
Demolition - 2001
Limited Edition Collector's Box - 2001
Live In London - 2003
Metalogy Box - 2004
Angel Of Retribution - 2005
The Essential Judas Priest - 2006