Judas Priest "Killing Machine"

Killing Machine (known as Hell Bent for Leather in the US due to controversy at the time of release) is the fifth studio album by British heavy metal band Judas Priest. With its release in October 1978, the album pushed the band towards a more commercial style; however, it still contained the dark lyrical themes of their previous albums. At about the same time, the band members adopted their now-famous "leather-and-studs" fashion image. It is the band's last studio album to feature drummer Les Binks.

The album was retitled Hell Bent for Leather for its U.S. release in early 1979, because the U.S. branch of Columbia/CBS did not like the "murderous implications" of the title. Both titles are drawn from songs on the album with "The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)", an early Fleetwood Mac cover, being added to the U.S. release.

The album was also pressed in red vinyl in the UK.

With Killing Machine, Judas Priest began moving to a more accessible, commercial format that abandoned the complex, fantasy-themed songs of their previous three albums. While this album still had dark undertones, it was more grounded in realism. This was reflected in their change of stage costumes from flowing Gothic robes to leather, but also may have been inspired by the rising punk and New Wave movements. Glenn Tipton said in a contemporary interview that "I believe we are part of the New Wave. After all, we're fast, aggressive and exciting, which is what it's all about." Tracks such as "Burnin' Up" and "Evil Fantasies" are replete with S&M themes while "Running Wild" is about late-night partying and "Before the Dawn" a depressing ballad. "Hell Bent for Leather" reflected their newly adopted leather costumes as well as Rob Halford's soon-to-be-trademark entrances on stage in a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. 

The single "Take on the World" was an attempt at producing a stadium shoutalong tune in the mould of Queen's "We Will Rock You", and was also covered by New Wave band The Human League on their 1980 tour. If the lyrics were simplified a bit from the band's previous albums and adapted more into mainstream arena rock, the instruments retained their characteristic aggressiveness with heavier guitar riffing and elements of blues influence returned on some songs. The album is certified gold by the RIAA. Finally, the production of Killing Machine was markedly improved from Judas Priest's earlier albums, which were criticized for having excessively flat sound, and would be further refined for their next and breakthrough album, British Steel.

The song "Hell Bent for Leather" is featured in Ari Gold's 2008 film Adventures of Power, the 2004 episode of the sitcom That '70s Show entitled "Surprise, Surprise" and also featured in 2009 game Guitar Hero: Metallica.

Track listing

Side one

1. "Delivering the Goods" Rob Halford, K. K. Downing, Glenn Tipton 4:16
2. "Rock Forever" Halford, Downing, Tipton 3:19
3. "Evening Star" Halford, Tipton 4:06
4. "Hell Bent for Leather" Tipton 2:41
5. "Take On the World" Halford, Tipton 3:00

Side two

1. "Burnin' Up" Downing, Tipton 4:07
2. "The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)" (Fleetwood Mac cover; originally exclusive to Hell Bent for Leather, also added to later releases of Killing Machine) Peter Green 3:23
3. "Killing Machine" Tipton 3:01
4. "Running Wild" Tipton 2:58
5. "Before the Dawn" Halford, Downing, Tipton 3:23
6. "Evil Fantasies" Halford, Downing, Tipton 4:15

Total length: 38:29

"Hell Bent For Leather", and "The Green Manalishi" were the two songs from Killing Machine which became standard parts of the band's live setlist, with the other songs being performed rarely ("Evil Fantasies", "Running Wild", "Rock Forever and "Take On the World") or not at all. "Running Wild" and "Delivering The Goods" became regulars on the Firepower tour setlists in 2018 after not being played since 1980, and the title track returned to the band's setlists at a show in Paris in January 2019 after being absent for 40 years.

This is the first Judas Priest album where Glenn Tipton incorporated the guitar technique of tapping into his soloing style, perhaps inspired by Eddie Van Halen's popularization of the technique, with his band Van Halen's popular debut album having come out earlier that year. This is also the final album for drummer Les Binks who had joined the band in early 1977 in time for the Sin After Sin tour; he is credited with helping develop the traditional Priest percussive sound.

Produced by James Guthrie and Judas Priest

Engineered by James Guthrie, assisted by Damian Korner, Andrew Jackson, Kevin Dallimore, and Andrew Clark

Cover design by Rosław Szaybo

Photography by Bob Elsdale

Recording information:

Recorded at Utopia, Basing Street and CBS Studios London.

Mixed at Utopia Studios.

Direction: David Hemmings Arnakata Ltd.