1990 saw the release of what was probably the most over the top heavy metal album of all time. It was also arguably the best heavy metal album ever, as well.

"Painkiller" marked the arrival of two new faces in Judas Priest’s long history. For the first time in over a decade, Priest would be using a new producer, Chris Tsangarides. Tsangarides’ experience and expertice in producing heavy metal was invaluable for the sound of the album, helping to give it a sound that up until now, Priest were unable to attain. The other new face arrived following drummer Dave Holland’s departure after the "Ram It Down" tour. Stepping in to fill the gap was the former Racer X drummer, Scott Travis. It was through Travis’ drumming technique, particularly in his use of the double bass pedal that allowed Priest to reach new levels of intensity.

Like all Priest albums since "Killing Machine", in 1979, "Painkiller" was written almost entirely by singer Rob Halford and guitarists KK Downing and Glenn Tipton. The only exception to this was on track 8, the epic "Touch of Evil", which added producer Chris Tsangarides’ skills into the traditional Priest mix.

It is likely that by this point, one will be asking oneself what was so amazing about the "Painkiller" album. After Priest’s previous two efforts, "Turbo" and "Ram it Down", one cannot help but be at least slightly disenchanted by the band. However, all was not lost. From the drum solo that opens the album, "Painkiller" is the all out metal assault that "Ram it Down" could only have dreamed of being, only decreasing ever so slightly in intensity for "Touch of Evil", the closest thing the album gets to a ballad. Halford’s vocals are just amazing, from the high pitched screams of "Painkiller", through to the opening growl ("let me hear the battle cry!") of "One Shot at Glory", he showcases the range that he still retains even to this day, despite him nearing 60! Guitarists Tipton and Downing shred with a speed and intensity that was never displayed up until this point in their careers. Some say that they were spurred on by the intensity of Travis’ drumming skills. After all, it is often said that fresh blood can inject new life into a band.

Every track on "Painkiller" is a killer, from beginning to end, not one track disappoints. Only "All Guns Blazing" fails to reach the extremely high standards of the rest of the album, but is still, nevertheless, extremely good. The album climaxes where it should, at the very end, with "One Shot at Glory", which is a fine example of what Priest are all about – throwing all the best elements of Priest together – excellent vocals, a brilliant opening, awesome solos, brilliant drum work, and solid bass lines from Ian Hill.

The 2001 re-master of "Painkiller" sported two additional tracks; the previously unreleased ballad "Living Bad Dreams" and a live version of "Leather Rebel". This edition of "Painkiller" is a must for anyone who calls themselves a metaller, even if one doesn’t normally care for Priest.

Surely the follow up album to this would be absolutely amazing? Alas, it was never to be, as at the end of the "Painkiller" tour, Halford announced his decision to leave Priest. The rest of the band went on sabbatical until 1997, when they returned with a new singer, Tim "Ripper" Ownes, and the mediocre "Jugulator" album, which only had two or three stand out songs to show for the seven year gap.

Perhaps with Halford’s recent return to the Priest fold, and with a new album once again being written by the classic team of Halford, Tipton and Downing, produced by Roy-Z (who did a fine job on Halford’s solo work), promising to "sound like a cross between Painkiller and British Steel", the world will finally see the follow-up album which "Painkiller" deserved!