Chock full of earpiercing vocals and the thick, sensuous rhythms of a Fender Stratocaster, Sad Wings of Destiny recalls the intensity of the Deep Purple of Machine Head. This is the second time around, of course, so the effect is less startling. Even the titles—"Genocide" and "The Ripper," for instance—parallel Purple's malevolent attitude.

Priest lacks Deep Purple's keyboard emphasis but the real difference is in the vocals. Lead singer Robert Halford is a screamer with powerful projection and little control, although... Read More