The idea of “real metal” is one that pervades throughout metal circles these days. Go on any toxic Facebook group and ask the question “is Ghost metal?” and see the sparks fly. It’s something that people are obsessed with for no reason other than tribalism. Well, Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner took up the topic of “real metal” and others in an interview with Ben Brown. Here’s what he had to say about that topic and the 1986 Judas Priest album Turbo.
“In 1986, I wasn’t really aware [of the album’s reception; Faulkner was 6 at the time]. I hear it from other people that were around at the time, and they said they were kind of disappointed; a lot of people that I’m close to [from] that generation. They were pretty bummed out by it.”
Their album Turbo followed up the metallic behemoth known as Defenders of the Faith. It’s safe to say that Turbo is a divisive album. In our album-by-album review series for Judas Priest (Judas Priest-A-Thon), we gave a favorable score and review to Turbo, taking it as a product of its time. The album is basically the soundtrack to an 80s teen comedy. If you take it for the party pleaser that it is, the album is pretty good. Considering that Defenders of the Faith has some early-pop elements, it becomes less egregious.
The title track for Turbo, “Turbo Lover”, is also a hugely popular track from Judas Priest. It gets a hell of a reaction anytime they play it. Richie had this to say about the track and another on Turbo.
“I’ll always say to people, one of the songs that gets the biggest reaction when we play it live, and whether the Internet likes it or not, is ‘Turbo Lover’… It gets a great reaction. It’s great fun. It’s a great song… There’s some good songs on that record, ‘Out in The Cold’ is another one.”
Judas Priest was also famously up to have a track on the soundtrack for Top Gun. Their track “Reckless” was considered, but they dropped out of the running, fearing the movie would flop. The slot ended up going to “Highway To The Danger Zone”.
Whether you love or hate Turbo, it looks like Judas Priest still recognizes the album and its place in their history.
Judas Priest recently unveiled the first track from their upcoming album Invincible Shield. Check out “Panic Attack” below!
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Source: Ben Brown
