Search - Judas Priest :: Hero Hero

The Truth about "Hero, Hero"

Sampson Simpson | Canada | 03/20/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's true, by all measurements, "Hero, Hero" is an exploitive compilation of Judas Priest material. However, it is also the test to measure your dedication to this band. Many, many compilations exist of this exact same material, and the Sony material as well. Most of those, even the diehards can ignore. This one, however, they cannot."Hero, Hero" was originally released in 1981 (or thereabouts) to take advantage of Priest's rising star. The original two releases on Gull records, "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings Of Destiny", had been exploited previously in a compilation called "The Best Of Judas Priest", which was a single record. "Hero, Hero" was a double record which included all of "Rocka Rolla" and most of "Sad Wings", as well as the crucial Joan Baez cover, Diamonds and Rust, in an alternate take (previously heard on "Best Of").So, if you already have all that material, why is this album such a test of your dedication? The reason is revealed in the liner notes. All of "Rocka Rolla" had been remixed for this release. Why is unknown, as that record sounded just fine for what it is. The remixes are, in general, not even all that different. The major changes are made during Cheater, the "Winter suite", and Rocka Rolla itself, during which major portions of the songs are noticably shifted around. There's a burst of harmonica in Cheater, for example, where there never was before. Rocka Rolla has its verses rearranged. Whether different takes were used for these changes is hard to discern. The remix done to "Rocka Rolla" doesn't really add or subtract anything from the album, which makes it that much harder to understand why it was done. Really, the ideal way to remix a classic album is to reveal new nuances to the music, or even include alternate takes to various parts, like Deep Purple did with the Machine Head remix. Gull records apparently didn't feel the need to do that, but spent the money on a remix anyway. Bottom line, though, is that this is a different version of the music, and therefore if you are truly a fan, it's something you need to add to your collection.I should also add that I've always loved this cover art too, and wouldn't want to do without this in my music collection. It's just plain cool.There you have it. Are you a Priest fan? Truly? Then you must purchase this album. Add it to your collection, and know that you have something that other fans do not."

Buy the originals

Sampson Simpson | 05/05/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album is just a compilation of songs from the first two albums. However, they change the song order and leave out critical songs like Island of Domination. You are better off buying Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny in their original full versions. Especially Sad Wings, the album must be listened to in its entirety to be fully appreciated."