Judas Priest - Rocka Rolla: 50th Anniversary Remix - New Album Review

[@lucalone]

Underrated album. "Run of the Mill" is a masterpiece.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

One of my favorite Priest albums! I need to hear this remix! Can’t wait for the physical release!

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes do check it out! I’m excited for the physical copy too. I just wish they’d stop doing these digital only releases with the physical dropping later. It really removes all the hype and excitement by the time I get the CD.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

@@BrendonSnyder Very true!

[@MarcDurain]

I hope they will remix and rerelease Sad Wings Of Destiny after that... One of the best Judas Priest albums in my opinion.

[@markgreene1162]

Yeah I agree. I wouldn't say it's underrated, but an under appreciated album for sure. And with a new remixed I'm hugely interested in picking this up on cd.

[@AmericanNationalist852]

really?

[@seangerant653]

50 years and they finally got the rights back to re-release it !!........finally !!!!

[@ericv7720]

Always in my top 3 of Priest albums! I first bought RR on cassette in '91 while still in high school, and got a hold of an import CD reissue a few years later with an early version of "Diamonds and Rust" as a bonus track. This album is only a week and some days older than myself, haha!

[@mattleone5831]

I can’t believe how great this sounds!

[@edwardosborne2427]

I bought the album when it first came out, and I used to see them in St Albans in the UK. I am looking forward to hearing the remix.

[@parpog76]

Saw them on the UK's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' circa 1975 thought they were awesome but looked like hippies instead of Metalheads! The term heavy metal was in its infancy then but exploded by the late 70s and 80s. Brilliant if not the best Metal band ever in my opinion. Great review and show Brendon from a Scottish metal head just turned 70!!

[@stardust_memories2260]

And SAD WINGS to come🤘🤘🤘

[@AmericanNationalist852]

Sad Wings does not need to be touched

[@EattheApple666]

I love the original but the remix is amazing. Can't wait for SWD getting its due.

[@AmericanNationalist852]

Sad Wings doesn't need to be touched, not sure when everyone wants it to be

[@Skycladatdusk78]

Been waiting for this one a long time, can't wait to hear it!🤟

[@kieronkelly959]

Fantastic review Brendon🤘🏻

[@benedictdonald4338]

Overlooked album, for sure. This remix does wonders for the album, unleashing a lot of energy which was previously buried.

[@joszefrviz398]

I have always loved all those songs on Rocka Rolla and had never felt they were inferior in any way as far as the mix was concerned. Yeah, the songs sound a bit dampened for lack of a better word, but that added to their appeal and makes for a darker, melancholic, introspective sound. I do not think a remix will fix - what to my ears, was not broken. Judas Priest Forever!!!!

[@themadmattster9647]

Amazing that Tom Allom is still working with Priest. I was so sad when Martin Birch passed because Maiden would’ve benefited from working with him again. Definitely buying this

[@dynamo4543]

absolute tragedy when maiden stopped working with Martin birch,,Kevin Shirley's very lazy

[@rickrobb6546]

Judas Priest.................. Rules

[@aero2zero]

This is a magical album with the crystal clear sound. Now everyone can see and hear why they became the legends that they are now.

[@torarauland7145]

Rocka Rolla very cool album I had that on picture vinyl on my wall back in the days.

[@satanwest2923]

Thanks for the great review!!!

[@dethwiz]

The songs from Rocka Rolla were also remixed in 1981 for the Hero, Hero 2LP compilation - Cheater also had more harmonica in that mix

[@jeffnawrot8411]

The remix makes it a totally legit 70s priest record. Ordered the vinyl as soon as I heard it.

[@HaakonOdinsson]

Such an underrated album, I think it’s a great piece of music 🤘

[@jimmilne882]

I have to class 'Run of the mill ' one of the finest pieces of rock music written, I've seen Priest a lot, mainly in the early days. I remember the album 'Sad wings of destiny' described as a blend of Sabbath and Zeppelin, up until Stained Glass being their finest output in my humble opinion. Brilliant live before the Harley Davidsons hit the stage. They visited Scotland often as they were always well appreciated up here.

[@vinilasneblogas]

I think the artwork change in the ‘80s might have nothing to do with the band, as I know Judas Priest had a problem for a long time to manage first two albums as the original label didn’t let pass these copyrights to anyone, and being miserable themselves. I wonder how that worked now. But I am glad this happened, even I was ok with original vinyl version - it has a nice imperfect vibe, but not so fun on CD or digital. Thanks for a nice review 👍

[@Eric-v6w5u]

Judas priest- fire power cd is a masterpiece!!/ highly underrated, rocka Rolla album is good classic. Invincible shield album 100 skullz.❤❤❤

[@allornadaaccordingtojack7601]

Didn't even know that Rocka Rolla got a remix until I saw this. Thanks so much, Brendon. Being SO familiar with all of Judas Priest's work, I will admit this sounds 100 times better than the original !!!! This now sounds like the debut album of the greatest heavy metal band in history.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Glad you were watching my channel to find out then! 👍

[@allornadaaccordingtojack7601]

@@BrendonSnyder so I recorded an episode talking about this great remaster, and give you credit for alerting me to it. Thanks again. Goes live today at 5.

[@rocketrod1444]

I hadn't played RR for decades , listened to the remix a couple of times a few days ago .... sensational actually .... the album seemed to fly by , unless my perception of time has changed ⏲

[@Swullmark]

This came out so randomly and abruptly haha, I don't recall ANY promotion or hype for this really... gonna have to check it out!

[@BrendonSnyder]

I know I was surprised by the whole thing. If Ian Hill didn’t come out 2 weeks before and announce it we wouldn’t know anything. A real missed opportunity for the band to promote it and make it a real event release. Now it will just run under the radar for most people.

[@davel.9467]

I’m very much looking forward to this release. 🤘🏻

[@richardtolman2634]

Can't wait till Sad Wings gets the same treatment.

[@MykeHavoc]

Lest we forget the four Live albums Tom worked on, including Unleashed in the East, which was the first record for a lot of fans! As for this new release, putting on One for the Road and getting punched in the gut by the power of that intro was quite a delight! Being so used to it sounding a specific way made the adjustments stand out all the more. The quality is maintained from top to bottom, so there weren't too many other moments like that. Like any good mix and master, the purpose is for the work to be "invisible", so to speak. A good album should just simply sound solid from the get go. My ONE gripe is the removal of the keys in the outro to Never Satisfied. They make it feel so damn epic! I was heartbroken to hear them gone. Despite the rest of the track sounding better, I may have to stick with the original version just for them keys. Maybe I'm alone on this one, I dunno 😅

[@jasoncherry3404]

This remix was redone by Judas Priest themselves the way they wanted the album to originally sound. They didn’t get to mix the album they way they wanted to originally, it was still an amazing album but this release will be version the band wanted. The new and improved Rocka Rolla should be an absolute juggernaut of an album. I can’t wait to get it and I’m looking forward to pissing off my neighbors for years to come at the musical prowess of Judas Priest! 🤘🏼🎸🔥

[@BrendonSnyder]

Tom Allom did the remix.

[@timothyleard]

Killer album

[@MyMusicCorner]

I hope there is some bonus content from this era that is coming. I was hoping for a recording of the original long version of Caviar and Meths. Al Atkins’s version is fine. This is one of my favorites from the band, which is an odd choice.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I don’t think Judas Priest ever recorded a studio version of the full length track. Otherwise I’m sure it would have been included because they added in other edited tracks. But as far as bonus content there is none on this release and I don’t expect they will be releasing any or it would have been part of this release or expanded to a bigger package.

[@mrsmith7939]

Thanks Brendon! Pity it's not available in UK. Another PR goof by the band!!

[@dibbo9264]

I haven’t heard it yet because it’s not available on streaming in Australia. I hope it comes out soon. I’m really keen to hear the remix of the album

[@jimmyagates]

The additional harmonica was present on the Rodger Bain mix of Hero Hero version of Cheater remixed by Rodger Bain

[@GBCR]

IS the physical format out yet?

[@Alkahest1982]

One of my favourite Priest!!! Will they finally put the original 4.00 version of Rocka Rolla song this time, as originally released (on first UK Gull press) No matter what when an lp is available I m buying it

[@FroMarty]

Queen should take note

[@BrendonSnyder]

What do you mean? Queen has already announced an expansive boxset called Queen I that includes a remix of their debut studio album set for release 10/25/24. So when it’s released they will actually beat the Judas Priest release set for 11/22/24.

[@FroMarty]

@@BrendonSnyder I mean the fact they pitched corrected Freddie’s vocals and made an AI video. Priest did a good job from what I’ve heard and I’d like to hear it when I can, not sure what Queen are up to though

[@BrendonSnyder]

Where did you hear they pitch corrected Freddy’s vocals?

[@FroMarty]

@@BrendonSnyder I heard the re-release of Night comes down

[@christophergordon7433]

Tom Allom produced Unleashed In The East too.

[@lucalone]

John Hinch can be seen in their 1975 Old Grey Whistle Test appearance at the BBC.

[@tomgibson1902]

Underrated album, even if the band members themselves didn’t like it. This with Sad Wings and Sin after Sin are an amazing set of first three albums.

[@KNACFletch]

Where did you get your CD racks?

[@BrendonSnyder]

They’re custom. I’m an architect, designed them, and had them made.

[@robgasper8521]

Pre-order vinyl price on Amazon is $36.99 right now. Obscene for 7 tracks, hope it comes down as they won’t sell any at that price. Whining aside, I’ve always dug it. Early Priest and Scorpions is like nothing either band would ever do again and both had incredible evolutions throughout the 70’s. Thanks for the review!

[@BrendonSnyder]

That’s the normal price these days.

[@robgasper8521]

@@BrendonSnyder Sad but true in a lot of cases.

[@themadmattster9647]

To me 70’s Priest, 70’s Scorpions, 80’s Maiden, best metal of all time

[@1zappacadabra]

Fantastic Channel

[@rexsmetzer]

Brendon, do you like that they separated the 4 tracks instead of being 1 like song on the original version?

[@BrendonSnyder]

They have always been separate on all the versions I’ve had (CDs) so I’m fine with it. To me they always sounded like separate tracks anyway.

[@rexsmetzer]

Brendon, I just have the download version & they were all combined. Just weird how that is different from the cd??

[@rperry70]

Any vinyl?

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes it’s being released on vinyl too

[@patriotpizzaman]

This new remix sounds fantastic. They eliminated some of the psychedelic nods to K.K.'s idol Jimi Hendrix from a few spots but, K.K.'s playing was still very derivitive so the sentiment carries through all the same. Point of Entry could use a remix from Tom if you ask me. I think it could elevate Point of Entry to a level of respectability deserving of being the follow up to British Steel. It always seemed to me like it was the predecessor but, it's just a mistep in the production by Tom and the guys involved in the decision making process in the studio.

[@Augusto-Romane]

Omg Im so frustrated, this remaster havent got out in Brazil and its so unfair. I cant find it in any Stream Plataform and nobody uploaded it in youtube. Sucks for Priest treatin the fans this way

[@perfeitorafael]

Shame it’s not available in Brasil. 😢

[@samhouston1979]

now for this to be done to Sad Wings

[@merikblackmore]

Oh God no

[@wowster-so8sx]

Fix Point if Entry

[@EliteAstro_OfficialChannel]

Bands are remixing old albums these days. Queen 1 is getting the same treatment.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes they sure are! It’s big business these days. And why not, it’s a quick and easy task and no one has to record a whole new album to get a whole new sound. It’s pretty genius!

[@tapanim6576]

😎👍

[@Zedster88]

Still haven't met a remix a liked. My old man ears just like that original sound that I grew up air guitaring and jumping on my bed to.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I hear where you’re coming from. So far only a few albums I grew up with have received remixes like Pink Floyd Momentary Laps Of Reason and Pantera Reinventing The Steel. In both cases I like the originals best. But other albums I didn’t grow up with I find that I love the remixes. So there is certainly something there between nostalgia and when something changes whether for good or bad.

[@Zedster88]

@@BrendonSnyder sadly everything I seem to have listened to as a young punk has a remix now and that is all that Spotify has. I got tired of having to have 100GB of music on my phone so I broke down and went Shittyfy. Some remixes are better than others though.

[@samhouston1979]

the band remixed it? i’m glad to hear that they have control of the first album again then

[@kwd-kwd]

can you reply with the barcode off of the coke bottle top cover of your rocka rolla cd, I want the one with the clear tray like the one you have mine does not have that. I need it to get it from discogs.

[@Kgio-2112]

Those earrings. Ha

[@RocknJazzer]

Sorry this is terrible. Way to ruin a classic dark 70s album and make it sound like a bad 80s album. Way too much compression, reverb, pitch correction, replacement, augmentation, editing, everything is way too much not what it was. Sucks the soul and magic right out of it. Sterile and 80s dated sounding now, which does not match the 70s music. JP and this album are my fave. Orig early 70s mix best. 70's music should stay sounding 70s, that is the point. Way too bright crisp cold thin now etc. Can't believe they ruined it. Allom is great for the 80s albums but messing this much w a 70s album is sacrilege

[@EliteAstro_OfficialChannel]

Same as Queen 1

[@georgeprice4212]

Does RCA still own the rights? Or has Priest ever gotten the masters for both albums originally on Gull? (And who would have thought that JP was ALMOST a Motown Records act!!!)

[@themadmattster9647]

It sounds like they must’ve finally bought the rights. They used to have to put live versions on compilations like Metalogy since they used to not have the rights

[@antonnee]

I kind of like both covers, and hope that when the physical copy is released the label includes both; sort of one cover in the front of the booklet and the other in the back so you can flip/switch them at will...and, of course, that it is released in a jewelcase, not holding much hope for this though.

[@nfnumber1fan805]

I'd really like for Screaming for Vengeance to be re-worked.

[@gerrylambert5225]

Heard this on headphones in record store when released as debut I then thought the cover was better than the album I still do !

[@BrendonSnyder]

Try listening again to the new mix and see if your opinion changes.

[@djmetallord]

Ram it down to Great record I don't know what you're talking about. This is cool this should be interesting to hear this.

[@BrendonSnyder]

We all have different opinions. It’s ok if you like it 👍

[@GBCR]

I have a nagging feeling that there's more than just remixing and "remastering". There are things that weren't there before, like drum outros on the first two songs as well some smaller guitar parts. Thanks

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes and I said that in the review. They have added parts that weren’t there before 👍

[@AmericanNationalist852]

╚╬╝JUDAS PRIEST╚╬╝ I still don't like the album, though I will say "The Cheater" is actually worth listening to now, so it's kind of like getting a "new" old Priest song for me, which is nice

[@chrismorgan7494]

Would love to hear a Sin After Sin remix. That album is ear candy as it is, but Raw Deal could use a vocal remix. I think Halford was afraid the subject matter would be deemed offensive, thus the timid vocal mix.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Sad Wings Of Destiny is up next. However, I don’t expect they will be doing the whole catalogue. But It would be cool if they did.

[@chrismorgan7494]

@@BrendonSnyder Looking forward to Sad Wings, which always sounded great as is.

[@richardjohnson7880]

I've got several versions of this. 1st press Japanese or UK Lps that are fantastic. (They lack nothing) I suppose I'm in the minority here, but I don't feel this "remaster" was warranted. The early versions of Tyrant Epitaph & Ripper that Bain rejected are not included. The original 14-minute long Caviar & Meths was not included. The bump up in the rhythm guitar track, even bleeding over into the acapella vocals, is unpleasant & overwhelming- the drum kit (excruciating on bass & floor tom) includes what sounds like a bass boost. I swear it sounds like it was added or (rerecorded by Scott Travis) Contrary this mix does not "open this lp up" or allow it to breathe, it clutters it & there is noise, either musical instruments or what not carrying notes constantly where original mix allowed the lp & songs to "breathe" it now does not. The good news: Band members are set to reap some rewards after all of these years & have a say in this part of their legacy. A publishing company REACH obtained rights from GULL & are apparently all about working with band. (KK stated he is signed w/Reach Music) The harmonica is present throughout "Cheater" thats very cool. IMHO The remix/remastering attempts to rewrite history- giving this lp a "metal mix" this was not a metal lp! Rob & company repeatedly stated the lp suffered becausse of Rodger Bain production- but his production was sufficient on black sabbath & budgie albums? The production was appropriate for the songs written. My biggest fear now, is they will try to "Improve" Sad Wings Of Destiny. God Forbid!

[@stephensdygert7600]

The only songs I liked on this album were "Run of the mill" and "Never Sastiisfied" In my opinion. Priest was born when Sad wings of Destiny was released. Its ironic, my favorite Judas Priest album is Invincible Shield.

[@MetalMan73100]

Is a remix enough to save Rocka Rolla? Not too sure about that, but a great preliminary review nonetheless!

[@wretchedforever]

Isn't this considered their worst album?

[@BrendonSnyder]

No

[@jeffnawrot8411]

Not even close. The ripper albums are rough. And ram it down is hot trash as well as turbo. I’d take rocka rolla over point of entry as well

[@themadmattster9647]

I grew up with the Hero Hero compilation so I never separated the songs from Sad Wings songs so I always dug it