Although the double-disc Metal Works '73-'93 is an intoxicating listen, it isn't quite the definitive Judas Priest retrospective it could have been. Six of the band's 11 U.K. chart singles aren't here, and while "Johnny B. Goode" probably won't be missed, Hell Bent for Leather's "Take on the World" and "Evening Star," British Steel's "United," and Point of Entry's "Don't Go" and "Hot Rockin'" ought to have been included, especially since they were released during the band's influential prime. One could also argue for more material from the Stained Class era and less from the weaker mid- to late-'80s albums. Plus, the songs aren't arranged in chronological order, which makes it difficult to piece together the band's evolution and (sometimes trend-following) stylistic shifts. But quibbles aside, the collection makes a strong case for Judas Priest's versatility, drawing from nearly all of their albums' material, encompassing dark, driving riff rockers, melodic heavy metal, radio-ready commercial hard rock, the occasional ballad, and lyrics ranging from street-tough aggression and party anthems to sci-fi/fantasy themes and hints at Satanic posturing. The band's musicianship shines throughout; Priest's tightly controlled style was played with a sense of groove that allowed the music to breathe and kept it from sounding too tight-assed. In between the lesser-known tracks, which are often impressive, comes one metal classic after another: "Victim of Changes," "Living After Midnight," "Breaking the Law," "Hell Bent for Leather," "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," "Screaming for Vengeance," and more. Even if it isn't quite a definitive portrait of the band, it is an enjoyable one; many necessary items are here, and it rocks hard from start to finish. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Judas Priest (Main Performer), Judas Priest (Art Direction), Judas Priest (Remastering), Roger Glover (Producer), Simon Phillips (Drums), Tom (Colonel) Allom (Producer), Tom (Colonel) Allom (Remastering), Les Binks (Drums), Tim Burrell (Engineer), K.K. Downing (Guitar), James Guthrie (Producer), Rob Halford (Vocals), Ian Hill (Bass), Dave Holland (Drums), Dennis MacKay (Producer), Ray Palmer (Photography), Glenn Tipton (Guitar), Scott Travis (Drums), Chris Tsangarides (Producer), Glen LaFerman (Photography), Tony Mottram (Photography), Mark Wilkinson (Artwork), Geoffrey Hargrave Thomas (Photography), Joe Giron (Photography), Neil Jeffries (Liner Notes), Anna Maria DiSantos (Photography), Main Artery (Artwork)
Metal Works is a compilation album by Judas Priest, released in 1993. A remastered edition was released in 2001, with the same tracklisting. All material was previously available. All albums to that date are represented with the exception of debut Rocka Rolla, although a live version of "Victim of Changes" is used rather than the studio version on Sad Wings of Destiny. This is more to do with the fact that the first two albums are on a different record label rather than the quality of material.
The band selected the tracks themselves, and make comments in the sleeve-notes.
As an album it showcases versatility of their musical career. This album also brought Rob Halford back into the fold for a short while following his departure from the band due to internal tensions.
The album cover by Mark Wilkinson (who had done the band's cover art from Ram It Down to Nostradamus) combines elements from the band's previous releases. On the foreground are the Hellion (from Screaming for Vengeance) and the Painkiller (from the aptly-titled 1990 album). The underside of the Hellion's body is a razor blade (a reference to the album British Steel). On the lower left of the cover appear the following images: a female hand holding a gear shift knob (from Turbo), a mannequin wearing sunglasses and a studded leather headband (from Killing Machine/Hell Bent for Leather), The door and columns (from "Sin After Sin") in the lower right corner, The metallic head (from "Stained Class") in the smoke, and the Metallian (from Defenders of the Faith).
