Thrashcast Episode 32: Judas Priest's "Painkiller" from 1990
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Thrashcast is the place to find riveting discussions on classic thrash albums, news and reviews. Your hosts are three thrash loving maniacs who grew up during the golden age of the genre. Kenneth, Billy and Jim will get together weekly to bring you a deep dive on some of your favourite thrash records.
Show Notes:
Episode Thirty-Two: This week we decided to tackle the epic Painkiller from Judas Priest. Although notably not a thrash album, there are many similarities between this style of intense speed metal to bands who played the thrash during the late 80's to early 90's.
This is the 12th studio album from Priest and it featured new drummer Scott Travis who brought an intense, heavier-edged sound to the band and helped pave the way for an album that exhibited a malevolent sound combined with intense riffing. Many of the songs were anthemic in nature, and had a cinematic flair towards horror films. A good example here is the title track Painkiller featuring a character who is sent to dispatch all the evil in the world. Then there is Nightcrawler who is a creature that stalks its victims in the dead of night. These are just a few examples of the lyrical content that helped to make this release so memorable.
Fun Fact: The album artwork was done by UK airbrush master Mark Wilkinson. The cover features the Painkiller expertly detailed in all his metallic glory. Mark is a noted illustrator who did work for prog band Marillion, Fish, Priest and Iron Maiden. He's also worked Judge Dredd comics for the British 2000AD series.
Kenneth Gallant, HMS
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