Turbo [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: Judas Priest
Engineer: Bill Dooley
Producer: Tom Allom
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Judas Priest: Rob Halford (vocals); Glen Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar); Ian Hill (bass); Dave Holland (drums). Principally recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas in 1986. Includes liner notes by Judas Priest. Digitally remastered by Jon Astley. Personnel: Rob Halford (vocals); Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar, guitar synthesizer); Ian Hill (bass guitar); Dave Holland (drums). Audio Mixers: Glenn Tipton; K.K. Downing; Tom (Colonel) Allom; Bill-Dog Dooley. Audio Remasterer: Jon Astley. Liner Note Author: Judas Priest. Recording information: Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas (1986). Photographer: Neil Zlozower. Arrangers: Glenn Tipton; K.K. Downing; Rob Halford. After seeing the chart success that such acts as Van Halen and Motley Crue were enjoying with their melodic hard rock sound, Judas Priest decided to give it a shot with their 1986 release, TURBO. While it performed respectably on the charts, TURBO wasn't the big smash Priest hoped for, and it left many longtime fans puzzled as to the whereabouts of the old lethal Priest. The presence of synthesizers can be heard throughout the album, while such tracks as the opening "Turbo Lover," "Locked In," and "Parental Guidance" would prove to be highlights. The band would subsequently wisely return to their familiar ultra-metal direction. Searching for a way to retool their sound, Judas Priest attempted to accentuate their melodic side on Turbo by incorporating synthesizers and '80s pop-metal stylings ("Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days" sounds more like Poison, albeit with synths). The restrained songcraft sometimes pays dividends, especially on the synth-driven leadoff track, "Turbo Lover," easily the best song on the record and a successful reimagining of the Priest formula. But often, the band simply sounds directionless, unsure of exactly which path to accessibility it should follow; moreover, the synth-guitar backing and overly polished production give the album an oddly mechanized, processed feel. It certainly doesn't help most of the material, which is often at least competent but rarely inspired enough to make much of an impression. That's unfortunate because Turbo's best moments indicate that with a clearer focus, the album could have been a creative success; however, it's overall Judas Priest's weakest release since Rocka Rolla. [The 2002 Columbia/Legacy reissue adds two bonus tracks: "All Fired Up" and a live version of "Locked In."] ~ Steve Huey Searching for a way to retool their sound, Judas Priest attempted to accentuate their melodic side on Turbo by incorporating synthesizers and '80s pop-metal stylings ("Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days" sounds more like Poison, albeit with synths). The restrained songcraft sometimes pays dividends, especially on the synth-driven leadoff track, "Turbo Lover," easily the best song on the record and a successful reimagining of the Priest formula. [The 2002 Columbia/Legacy reissue adds two bonus tracks: "All Fired Up" and a live version of "Locked In."] ~ Steve Huey

Heavy metal had existed for several years before Judas Priest hit the scene in the mid 1970s, but the mighty Priest drove it all home--many still consider them to be the quintessential metal band. Dressed in studs and leather from head to toe, the band specialized in soaring, heavy-duty metal, with lyrics that alternated between the menacing and the party-hearty.

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