Back catalogue: Metal

Review: The fourth studio album by English hard rockers Jethro Tull, Aqualung married a turning point in the career of the band, prepping them for a more major radio-friendly future that would see them become mainstays of the touring circuit and rank among the finest live acts of the time. It would also quickly become the group's most successful release, commercially speaking, producing two standout singles in 'Hymn 43' and 'Locomotive Breath'. With such a storied history, anyone going anywhere near Tull's masterpiece wants to tread carefully. Or throw themselves full pelt into the chaos and beauty of the record by inviting a load of stoner rock acts to do their best/worst/most imaginative on the original material and come up with something new. Magnetic Eye opted to do just that with Redux, and it hits hard.

Review: Judas Priest's groundbreaking debut, originally released in 1974, has been meticulously remixed and remastered for its 50th anniversary. This edition of 'Rocka Rolla' delivers the raw energy and heavy metal thunder the band always intended. As Rob Halford himself proclaims, this album "lit the eternal metal flame," and five decades on, it still burns bright. Featuring classics like 'One For The Road', 'Winter', and the epic 'Caviar And Meths', this reissue captures the band's early sound in all its glory. Experience the genesis of heavy metal with this essential piece of music history.

Review: Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, Rocka Rolla was the (mostly forgotten) debut full-length from Birmingham heavy metal royalty Judas Priest. Pre-dating their signature leather and studs aesthetic, or even their riff-heavy pioneering metallic galloping, the material across their first album is an admittedly unfocused batch of bluesy hard rock with sprinklings of prog worship, while much of the material was penned with original vocalist Al Atkins before entering into the studio with their iconic current frontman Rob Halford. Only the track 'Run Of The Mill' would be crafted with Halford's vocal range taken into consideration, leading to many of the cuts featuring an awkward vocal presence almost unrecognisable from the vast majority of classic Judas Priest work. The album is so slept on that even when Halford has dusted off deep cuts at his solo shows such as 'Never Satisfied', he's had to specify its origin to the blank faces in attendance. Their only work to feature drummer John Hinch, it wouldn't be until 1976's sophomore follow up Sad Wings Of Destiny that the band would truly embrace their Black Sabbath and Deep Purple influences and chart out their own legendary course through the annals of NWOBHM. This anniversary edition also restores the original bottle cap artwork which has been changed for multiple reissues due to genuine legal troubles with the Coca-Cola company.

Review: A true classic, British Steel would serve as the sixth full-length from British metal titans Judas Priest and is often considered to be their crowning achievement. Referred to by Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly) as the "essential thrash metal; I'm sure you can ask Metallica, if it wasn't for British Steel they wouldn't be here", and with notable footage of the aforementioned Metallica members James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett rocking (nerding) out at a recent Priest headline show, it's really no big secret how lofty of regard this razor-riffed gem is still held today. Boasting their iconic hit single and easily one of the best metal openers of all time with 'Breaking The Law' (which due to the lack of digital sampling at the time the band had to use analogue recording of smashing milk bottles for the desired sound effects), as well as mammoth cuts such as 'Metal Gods' (a subtle omen), and 'Living After Midnight', British Steal still breathes the like giant it is that welcomes all subsequent thrash metal acts to rest on their intimidating shoulders. Repressed on limited lush black and white splattered vinyl for National Album Day 2024.

Review: Captured during their World Wide Blitz Tour at The Palladium in New York City on 22nd July 1981, this double live LP from British heavy metal royalty Judas Priest showcases the band at the height of their prowess, touring in support of their seventh album Point Of Entry. Following the Platinum selling success of British Steel which saw the members refine their speed metal gallop into mainstream crossover appeal with glossy production and hook-laden anthems such as 'Breaking The Law' and 'Living After Midnight', this set also features first-time road tests of later bangers including 'Solar Angels' and 'Heading Out To The Highway', while the epic rendition of closer 'Tyrant' offers up a far heavier and fester counterpoint to that of its studio version.