Judas Priest Music:

Prisoners of Pain Track Listing:
1. Breaking the Law
2. Screaming for Vengeance
3. Metal Gods
4. Hell Bent for Leather
5. Let Us Prey
6. Burnin' Up
7. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
8. Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)
9. Love Bites
10. Living After Midnight

Prisoners of Pain Reviews:
Strange, yet Interesting, Compilation of Priest from 1977-1984
2007-04-26 - This is a strange compilation of Judas Priest songs from the seven-year period 1977-1984. The songs and the albums they originally appeared on are as follows:

SIN AFTER SIN (1977): "Let Us Prey"
HELL BENT FOR LEATHER (1979): "Hell Bent for Leather," "Burning UP" & "The Green Manalishi"
BRITISH STEEL (1980): "Breaking the Law," "Metal Gods" & "Living After Midnight"
SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE (1982): "Screaming for Vengeance"
DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH (1984): "Some Heads are Gonna Roll" & "Love Bites"

Here's a rundown of the songs:

(1.) "Breaking the Law" (2:35): This is a fun, simple, harmless and quick 'hit.' I hated it when I first listened to it, but after hearing it 50 times or so I started to like it. It definitely has some admirable qualities. Besides, it's only 2.5 minutes long! Personal Rating: 4/5 Stars.
(2.) "Screaming for vengeance" (4:43): This song is fast and ultra-aggressive. The lyrics powerfully address the opression of the downtrodden in this "manacled" world; an emotionally potent paean to the millions who are constantly kicked in the face with "no tomorrow." Singer Rob Halford ends with this thought: "Every one who makes it in the great escape leaves a thousand more to suffer in the wake. I don't talk about it but that's alright..." Incredible. It'll give you friggin' goosebumps. Personal Rating: 5/5 Stars.
(3.) "Metal Gods" (4:05): This is another song that I initially didn't like much. Not that I hated it; it was just too simplistic or something. Over time, however, I've come to see its greatness. The lyrics are fantasy/sci-fi based about huge robots taking over or some sh*t (kinda like "The Terminator"). Personal Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
(4.) "Hell Bent for Leather" (2:40): This song has a strange vibe. It definitely jams and is cool & quick -- a little over 2.5 minutes; regardless, I was never a big fan. Still, it's a respectable number. Personal Rating: 3/5 Stars.
(5.) "Let Us Prey" (6:13): This is the sole pick from 1977's incredible SIN AFTER SIN. A strange choice in light of more 'hit' friendly numbers like "Diamonds and Rust" and "Dissident Aggressor" (or even "Sinner"). In any event, "Let Us Prey" is a secret gem in the priest catalog. It includes the intro "Call to the Priest" and is, in fact, the prototype to progressive/epic/speed metal. The lyrics are a bit ambiguous, but address (in part) the cynical slander of journalists. Needless to say, any compilation that includes "Let Us Prey" wins my absolute respect. Personal Rating: 5/5 Stars.
(6.) "Burning Up" (4:00): This is an underrated masterpiece in every sense. What's it about? What else -- makin' love. Incredible. Magnificent. Emotionaly stirring. My wife and I recently had a blast dancing to it. Guess what we did next? Personal Rating: 5/5 Stars.
(7.) "Some Heads are Gonna Role" (4:06): This is one of the more 'hit' friendly songs off of DEFENDERS. Good, catchy song. Personal Rating: 3.5/5 Stars.
(8.) "The Green Manalishi (with the Two-Pronged Crown)" (3:22): Needless to say, one of Priest's all-time best songs. I still haven't figured out what a 'manalishi' is, let alone a green one. Once I figure that out I'll address the 'two-pronged crown' issue. Personal Rating: 5/5 Stars.
(9.) "Love Bites" (4:47): This is a very creative and original number; you'll never hear anything else quite like it. It's respectable for that reason alone. Personal Rating: 3.5/5 Stars.
(10.) "Living After Midnight" (3:30): Obviously one of Priest's biggest 'hits.' Regardless, I always hated it, especially that moronic opening beat. The song itself sounds like kindergarten metal. I've recently come to embrace it, however. It's definitely fun, catchy and full of life. Gotta respect that. At least they're not boo-hooing about how mommy & daddy abused them and how miserable life is as rock stars. Personal Rating: 3.5/5 Stars.

BOTTOM LINE: None of these songs are remastered so they don't have that in-your-face punch of the remastered CDs. Still, how can you go wrong at this ultra-cheap price? Most albums have filler, but that's not the case here; every song is worthwhile for one reason or another. With mandatory metal songs like "Screaming for Vengeance," "Let Us Prey," "Burning Up," "Green Manalishi" and "Metal Gods" how can you go wrong?

By the way, if you're new to Judas Priest stay away from these albums: TURBO (1986), RAM IT DOWN (1988) and JUGULATOR (1997). And be sure to check out their most recent CD ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION -- it's stellar! (See my recent review for details).

4.5 stars- Not a bad best of compilation
2006-01-04 - I purchased this compilation about a year ago, and every song is good, but they do miss some good material, so if a group has a lot of great material, some songs will obviously be omitted. Some customers would like maybe the songs "Freewheel Burning", "(Take These)chains", "Jawbreaker", "Rock Hard Ride Free", "Electric Eye", "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", and "Victim Of Changes", to be included, but no such luck. I hate the song "Breaking The Law", because it's so repetitive and juvenile, so I could definitely do without it. I've got all the albums with those tunes, so I think I might get rid of it on Amazon. If you are a casual fan, or don't get into too much Priest, this might be for you, but it could be that you might think that this is the wrong combination of songs, and that too would be valid also.

"Breaking the Law"
2001-10-09 - I like to listen to "Breaking the Law" and then going out a beating people up.

Dont Get a Speeding Ticket............!!!
2001-04-08 - Warp ten from beginning to end, not a dull moment ANYWHERE in this CD!! Excellent for long road trips. A permanent must-have in any metal fan's car CD changer. Starting with the hard driving classic Breaking the Law, the high priests of metal actually rev it UP a notch to the manic Screaming For Vengence. In Metal Gods we find a sort-of postmodern, "Terminator" story concept. Hell Bent For Leather, another classic!! Let us Prey (clever pun) and Burnin up are somewhat lesser known but still high power tunes. Some Heads are Gonna Roll, an 80's era commentary on the dangers of political intrigue and nuclear weapons, no less relevent for the modern day. Green Manalishi, a strait up rocker. Love Bites, ouch!! But you know you want it!! And for the grand finale, the rockin' classic Living After Midnight. It just don't get no better than this!!