Judas Priest – Point Of Entry

‘Point Of Entry’ is not the immediate HM follow-up from Judas Priest that everyone was expecting. Instead, the album had been deemed to be too experimental in some quarters, too slick and polished in others.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Judas Priest
ALBUM: Point Of Entry
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: FC 37052
YEAR: 1981
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England

LINEUP: Rob Halford – vocals * K.K Downing – guitars * Glenn Tipton – guitars * Ian Hill – bass * Dave Holland – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Heading Out On The Highway * 02 Don’t Go * 03 Hot Rockin’ * 04 Turning Circles * 05 Desert Plains * 06 Solar Angels * 07 You Say Yes * 08 All The Way * 09 Troubleshooter * 10 On The Run

WEBLINK: Site Link

Background

It’s no secret I’ve been a fan of Judas Priest since their early days. Most of their material from the ‘Stained Class’ era through to about ‘Turbo’ I’ve enjoyed over the years. The breakthrough album obviously was ‘British Steel’, setting a new standard for HM during 1980. More often than not, there are phases through ones career that display signs of change. So it was with Judas Priest, and their 1981 effort ‘Point Of Entry’.

‘Point Of Entry’ is not the immediate HM follow-up from Judas Priest that everyone was expecting. Instead, the album had been deemed to be too experimental in some quarters, too slick and polished in others. For what it’s worth, ‘Point Of Entry’ is an album that would appeal to those with a melodic bent, as there is more depth and atmosphere on board. As a result, I really warmed to it. Perhaps due to the Tom Allom production or perhaps the sunny Spanish weather in Ibiza where the album was recorded?

The Songs

The opening pair of ‘Heading Out To The Highway’ and ‘Don’t Go’ have a ‘dare I say it’ commercial feel to it. More of a hard rock element rather than all out HM. ‘Hot Rockin’ accelerates to a level that we’re accustomed to, akin to ‘British Steel’ era riffarama. ‘Turning Circles’ is certainly different, while ‘Desert Plains’ is a stark contrast to anything they’ve done before, atmospheric, desolate even. Lovely solos too.

‘Solar Angels’ has atmospheric power, the plane sound effects give your speakers a good workout! ‘You Say Yes’ has a whimsical aspect to it, not really convinced with this one unfortunately. They return to form with the ‘British Steel’ seal of approval of ‘Troubleshooter’ and ‘On The Run’.

In Summary

The 1982 follow-up ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ was a return to their metal-head days, and it really set them on their way, particularly in the USA, where the band literally became what one of the earlier songtitles suggested: ‘metal gods’. In fact, so dominant were they, that the band spawned an entire generation of clones throughout the 80’s. Is that a sign to indicate that you’ve made it? Most definitely yes!

As a footnote, ‘Point Of Entry’ was re-released on CD by Legacy Records in 2001 containing two bonus tracks ‘Thunder Road’ and a live rendition of ‘Desert Plains’.

Video

Heading Out On The Highway