I've had Sad Wings of Destiny on LP since 1980 (same copy as listed below!), and I was all of 15. However... I had already digested the live Unleashed in the East, which features further developed and super energized versions of most of the classics found here. So at the time, the album sounded quite tame to my ears, and while I still enjoyed it, I never gave it the proper due. Over the years, I was able to digest the album more objectively, and thus was able to hear its brilliance. As for the legacy, who can deny its place in metal history? If I had been born 4 years earlier, and heard the album when it came out, it would seem to be revelatory. But would have I heard it back then? Probably not, as I would imagine being a dyed-in-the-wool prog fan who wouldn't have given it a second thought. And I think that applies to most everyone - the album didn't have an audience in 1976. Which is why this album is almost universally appreciated in retrospect more than it was real time. In art, that is generally known as genius. I wouldn't label Judas Priest that of course, and they certainly were able to capitalize on their forward thinking music only a few years later, but they should be commended for having the original vision of merging heavy with fast - and with some real songwriting as well. Yes, a classic for certain.
Ownership: LP: 1980 Ovation (USA). Single sleeve. Purchased new at Hastings Records in Amarillo (1980).
CD: 2006 Victor (Japan). Mini-LP and is a good format for the particularly divine cover art. Great to have in mobile form as well
1980; 10//05; 11/25/15; 9/7/18 (new entry)
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