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Track Listing: Delivering The Goods Rock Forever Evening Star Hell Bent For Leather Take On The World Burnin' Up The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) Killing Machine Running Wild Before The Dawn Evil Fantasies

Judas Priest released their fifth studio album Killing Machine, better known in the U.S as 'Hell Bent For Leather', 32 years ago to this day.

The album gets off to the perfect start with 'Delivering The Goods'. With simple yet endearing guitar riffs and solos that make you air-guitar, crisp vocals and lyrics that are easy to follow, Priest certainly deliver what they've been known for and the title couldn't have been any more appropriate. This song went on to become a hit over the years and stood the test of time. One of the highlights of its live rendition is the drum piece right at the end.

Talking of appropriate titles, the guitar harmony that forms the centrepiece of 'Rock Forever' makes this a song that despite being underrated and lesser known as compared to numerous other Priest classics, would truly rock forever. 'Evening Star' is pretty similar in terms of music and tempo, continuing to offer a sound that's pure melody to the grateful ears. In addition, the slow interlude here gives Halford a chance to show the depth in his vocal range.

The most popular track on the album comes next, none other than 'Hell Bent For Leather'. The music isn't the only thing this song is known for. This will forever be associated with the sight of Rob Halford riding a Harley Davidson on to the stage, an act that has been part of Priest's live shows for ages now.

'Take On The World' is definitely the weakest track on the album, offering next to nothing in terms of music, nothing except for the vocal chorus. "Burnin' Up" does succeed in making amends to a large extent with a nice and easy going aura to it as the interlude leads into the guitar solo beautifully.

Next comes a cover, Fleetwood Mac's 'The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown'. Priest certainly gave it their golden touch as it went on to become a regular feature in their live shows, and for me it remains to be one of the most enjoyable live Priest songs. The title song follows, which is another song you can count in the 'underrated' category. Even though lyrically not their best effort, it boasts of solid musicianship.

'Running Wild' is a really enjoyable song, full of energy from start to finish and leads into the most beautiful piece of music on the entire album, 'Before The Dawn'. The combination of the acoustic rhythm guitar and Halford's vocals is quite powerful and I find myself lost deep inside of it.

While the album began on a perfect note, 'Evil Fantasies' isn't quite the perfect ending. I wish they had ended it with 'Running Wild' as a follow-up to 'Before The Dawn'.

Even though this album marked a change in the band's musical direction as well as their image, musically it boasts of some truly amazing tracks that are still listened to and loved even after all these years, proving the band's longevity.

Thank you Judas Priest, for enriching the world of music with albums like 'Killing Machine'.