Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Judas Priest - Turbo (1986)

The UK was the ultimate birthplace for classic heavy metal. The two biggest pioneering bands of the genre are Black Sabbath and, of course, Judas Priest. However, there comes a time when one of those bands would water down their sound for the mainstream. For Judas Priest, their brief direction in Turbo is not as pretty as it looks...

The US saw the rise of the two popular genres in the 80s; glam metal and thrash. The glam sound has then made its way overseas, as UK metal artists like Def Leppard would switch gears from their earlier heavy metal sound. Glam "metal" is generally more of a hard rock genre and the only reason for some bands to sacrifice some integrity is to make some cashola. Turbo is Judas Priest's sole attempt at following the glam trend, filled with synthesized guitars.

They already crank up the glam heat in the opening hit "Turbo Lover". The drumming rhythm and guitar riffing are indeed in more of the glam side, but those along with the vocal strength of Rob Halford help make that song be recognizable as a true classic. "Locked In" is far more glam-ish than the previous song. This is where some of the strength is lost. "Private Property" doesn't reduce any of the poppiness going on in the guitar tones nor the lyrics of love and sex. "Parental Guidance" was written as a "f*** you" to Tipper Gore and the PMRC, and I can respect the band for standing up to the (wo)man.

But I can't respect the next track "Rock You All Around the World". It's just too cheesy for me, and I prefer to get my cheese from power metal. Now we're getting some slower metal with the 6-minute epic "Out in the Cold". It starts with a long intro that makes more use of their guitar synths, leading into guitar riffing, all done by the legendary duo of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton. Furthermore, the soloing is filled with memorable melody without too much shredding. Truly a diamond in the rough!

"Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days" is another sweet and sappy glam track. All it's good for is being the soundtrack for a sunny day at the beach. Venice Beach. More for glam fans than metalheads. "Hot for Love" is another one of the best songs here, even with some glam. "Reckless" closes the album somewhat decently.

It's easy to come across the singles from Turbo via radio and TV, but that's sadly what many listeners only hear from the album when they don't buy it. Still one of the singles is a great one, along with 3 underrated highlights and, oh yeah I forgot to mention, the speedy bonus track "All Fired Up" paying homage to their roots. The rest, however, is just the metal equivalent to bubblegum pop. Luckily their next album would prove that selling out is not a long-term option for these metal gods....

Favorites (only ones I really like): "Turbo Lover", "Parental Guidance", "Out in the Cold", "Hot for Love", "All Fired Up" (bonus track)