To me, any band didn't sing clearly was a Cookie Monster band, although obviously there were degrees. You have to understand that I was raised on Halford, Dickinson, Geoff Tate, and the like.

To me, any band didn't sing clearly was a Cookie Monster band, although obviously there were degrees. You have to understand that I was raised on Halford, Dickinson, Geoff Tate, and the like.

The heaviest stuff I ever got back into back in the day was classic thrash like Anthrax or Overkill. Something about Slayer and their legions of imitators seemed to be too outwardly angry to me, whereas you knew Anthrax was having fun even if the music got aggressive.

The heaviest stuff I ever got back into back in the day was classic thrash like Anthrax or Overkill. Something about Slayer and their legions of imitators seemed to be too outwardly angry to me, whereas you knew Anthrax was having fun even if the music got aggressive.

Yup. Probably my favorite Priest record.

Yup. Probably my favorite Priest record.

I love British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance, but I always go back to those first several albums. They seem much less formulaic and much more interesting. Shit, Sad Wings of Destiny features a damn piano ballad, and it's really good too.

I love British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance, but I always go back to those first several albums. They seem much less formulaic and much more interesting. Shit, Sad Wings of Destiny features a damn piano ballad, and it's really good too.

Any Priest fan who was genuinely surprised at Rob being gay either didn't read the lyrics to "Raw Deal" or just chalked it up to a bizarre 3rd-person account.

Any Priest fan who was genuinely surprised at Rob being gay either didn't read the lyrics to "Raw Deal" or just chalked it up to a bizarre 3rd-person account.

You mean Unleashed in the Studio?!

You mean Unleashed in the Studio?!

I never took to Stained Class like their other albums from the '70s, for some reason. Still, Sad Wings of Destiny and Sin After Sin are balls-out classics.

I never took to Stained Class like their other albums from the '70s, for some reason. Still, Sad Wings of Destiny and Sin After Sin are balls-out classics.

Agreed. "Stargazer" and "Light in the Black" may just be the best 1-2 punch in the history of the genre.

Agreed. "Stargazer" and "Light in the Black" may just be the best 1-2 punch in the history of the genre.

Strangely enough I discovered Rainbow only in the last few years. I don't know how I missed them as a kid, as big into Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath as I was. I can only blame my older brother I suppose, since most of my metal education in the '80s came from him.

Strangely enough I discovered Rainbow only in the last few years. I don't know how I missed them as a kid, as big into Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath as I was. I can only blame my older brother I suppose, since most of my metal education in the '80s came from him.

Genesis' pop leanings were made evident before Duke came out. At least half of …And Then There Were Three… sounds like a warmup for Duke, just not as effective.

Genesis' pop leanings were made evident before Duke came out. At least half of …And Then There Were Three… sounds like a warmup for Duke, just not as effective.