Firmly cemented as one of the top-listed go-to bands where Heavy Metal is concerned, Judas Priest effortlessly moved from their mid ’70s recorded years with their debut, Rocka Rolla (1974), on up to the last album to feature Rob Halford before his departure. In between, their dominance of the widening genre was second to none. (This does NOT mean that the band faltered post-Halford, but it’s certainly nice to have him back!)
Their albums with Columbia Records were classics in every way beginning with Sin After Sin (1977). They gained greater success with singles that broadened their audience. And while their UK fan base was massive, generating hits after hits, their fan base in the US slowly grew wider. It was the band’s release of “Turbo Lover” that increased their worldwide success further. That song anchored their tenth studio set, Turbo.
On February 3rd, Columbia Records reissued Turbo in an ongoing re-release campaign. The reissue of Turbo (Turbo 30) is a 3CD super set that joyfully girds up the remastered original classic with 2CDs of a period-centric live set from their Turbo support tour. The complete show from their Kemper Arena (Kansas City) is enjoyed here with over 20 performance tracks. With the newly remastered Turbo original, the entire set becomes a begging entrance to any serious Judas Priest library.
Turbo 30 is housed in an eight-panel sturdy cardboard that reveals the band on cycles as you unfold the package. The three CDs are slipped into wallet-styled holders with a 12-page booklet in a pocket of its own. Judas Priest is shown in all their ’80s metal preeminence in the photos. The lyrics are included as well as a complete list of credits.
Turbo is classic Judas Priest.
For Judas Priest fans, it’s good to know that the band is currently working on their next album. After all, world Heavy Metal dominance isn’t just easily maintained; it has to be reinforced!