Sad Wings of Destiny

Judas Priests seminal album Sad Wings of Destiny is the bands second album, released in 1976.

The cover art for the record titled Fallen Angels, was illustrated by Patrick Woodroffe is best known for introducing the pitchfork like symbol which would come to be known as the "Judas Priest cross" as worn by the angel.

Sad Wings of Destiny was the second and final album made while under contract with Gull Records, an independent English company. Despite critical acclaim, the band was suffering financially due to lack of support by the label. Shortly after changing management the band severed ties with Gull as was signed to Columbia records. Consequently, the band lost all rights to the recording on the first two albums as well as any demos made during the sessions while under contract wit Gull. Sad Wings of Destiny was initially published  and distributed by Janus records when release in the U.S.

Whilst the band lost royalty to recording royalties, they obtained copyright ownership of the songs themselves, many of which became staples in the bands live show. "Victim of Changes," "Tyrant," "THE Ripper," "Genocide, " all appear on Unleashed in the East,  a live album released by CBS in 1979. "Diamonds and Rust" a Joan Baez song initially recorded for Sad Wings of Destiny but left off the album was re-recorded for Sin After Sin, their first release for CBS, and also on Unleashed. Gull later released the original version of Diamond and Rust on a Greatest Hits album.

Tracklist:
Victim of Changes
The Ripper
Dreamer Deceiver
Deceiver
Prelude
Tyrant
Genocide
Epitaph
Island of Domination

• Sad Wings of Destiny - Gull - GULP 1015, UK, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny - "Tristes Alas DEl Destino" - Gull - 17.1086, LP 088. Spain, 1976 
• Sad Wings of Destiny (Gatefold)- "Tristes Alas DEl Destino" - Gull - 17.1086, LP 088. Spain, 1976 
• Sad Wings of Destiny (8-track) - Janus Records - 8098-7019-H, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Gull GRT 5098, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Gull ZCGULP 1015, UK, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Attic- CAT 1157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Attic CAT 1157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Attic CAT 1157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny (cass) - Attic CAT 1157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - GULP 1015, Italy, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - SLP 79 RC250, UK, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Attic - LAT 1157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - GULP 1015, Scandinavia, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Penguin - 30.000 Greece, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Grass Roots - GRF 1002, Australia, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - INT 163.303, Germany, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus 9098-7019, Canada, 1976 
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP- Gull - GULP 22002 , France, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - GULP 1015, New Zealand, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - 1015, UK, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus - JSX 7019, US, 1976 (1st American release)
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Attic- LAT 51157, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - GULP 1015, Sweden, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull SLP 79, UK, 1976, (*Partially Mixed)
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus - JSX 7019, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus - JSX 7019, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus - JSX 7019, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP =Janus - JSX, 9098-7019, Canada, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Janus - JSX 7019, US, 1976
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - UK, GULP 1015, UK, 1976 (RED VINYL)
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - GULP 1015 / XZAL1437 4P, UK, 1976 (Test Press)
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull  - GULP 1015 (Test Press)
• Sad Wings of Destiny (Cass) -  Milan - SC 79, France, 1976 
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gallo - ML4083, Zimbabwe, 1977
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - ML 483, South Africa, 1977
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - GP 464, Japan, 1977 (Promo)
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - VIP 6993- Japan, 1978
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (RE) - VIP 6993 - Japan, 1978
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - GULP 1015, UK, 1979
• Sad Wings of Destiny (8-Track) - Ovation - OV8 1751, US, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny (Cass-RE) - Ovation- OV1751, US, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ovation - OV1751, Canada, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ovation - OV1751, Canada, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ovation - OV1751, Canada, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ovation - OV1751, US, 1980 
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ovation - OV1751, US, 1980
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Friends Records - FRLP 9905, Netherlands, 1981
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (Pic) - SPI, France, 1983
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - RCA - RPL-2125, Japan, 1983
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - RCA - RPL - 2125, Japan, 1983 
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - RCA - AL1-4747, 1983
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Gull - 1015, US, 1983
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (RE- Green) - Line Records- LILP 4.00112, Germany, 1984
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (RE- White) - Line Records - LILP 4.00112, Germany, 1984
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Interfusion - L38329, GRF 1002, Australia, 1985
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Ariola, Gull, 206472- SLP79, France, 1985
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - RCA/Victor - SRPR 009 - AYL 1-4747, South Korea, 1986
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - RCA - JRPL 3383, AYL - 1-4747, South Korea, 1986
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Line Records - LICD 9.00112, Germany, 1987
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Line Records - LICD 9.00112, Germany, 1987
• Sad Wings of Destiny (Cass) - Victoria - VMC 120, Spain, 1987
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - RCA 4747 2R. US, 1988
• Sad Wings of Destiny (Cass) - Triada T-009, Poland, 1988
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Helidon/ Bad-Ming-Ton - 7.551458, Yugoslavia, 1989
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Gull/ Metal Mania - TECP-25386, Japan, 1990
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - Stiletto- 492.037, Brazil, 1991
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Transluxe - 57802-02, US, 1995
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD  - Repertoire - REP 4552-WY, Germany, 1995
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - GO ON /Deluxe, 3006-2, Scandinavia, 1996
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Paradoxx Music - 1309084-1, Brazil, 1997
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Snapper - SMMCD-562,UK, 1998 
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Gull - TECW21-858, Japan, 1999
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Koch Records- KOC-CD, 8067, US, 2000
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD -  Imperial - TEC-24074, Japan, 2001
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Victor - VCP - 61651, Russia, 2002
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD- Snapper Claasic- SDPCD120, UK, 2003
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD - Victor - VICP63279, Japan, 2006
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP (Ltd.180 Gram) - Koch Records, KO-LP 4580, US, 2008
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (Orange) - Back on Black - BOBV250LP, UK, 2010 
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (Ltd. 180 Gram) Back on Black - BOBV250LP, UK, 2010
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (Ltd RED) Back on Black BOBV250LP, UK, 2010
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP - (YELLOW) Back on Black- BOBV250LP, UK, 2010
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD (Ltd. Platinum SHM, K2HD Mastering), Japan, 2014
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP (Ltd. 180 Gram REP2235, UK, 2015
• Sad Wings of Destiny CD (Ltd. K2H) - Victor - VICP 65426, Japan, 2016
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP (Ltd. 180 Gram Silver) Repertoire - Rep 2401, Europe, 2018
• Sad Wings of Destiny LP (Ltd. Red) Koch - LP 4580 US, 2018

"Tristes Alas Del Destino"

Spanish Gatefold Version

 

Two Test Pressings

French Picture disc

 

1976 Red version

Australian pressing

What better way to kick off a new Judas Priest Collectors Blog, than with Priest's 1974 debut album, "Rocka Rolla"?

Produced by Roger Bain, who had made a name for himself as producer of Black Sabbath's first three albums, Rocka Rolla was released in 1974 while Steve Miller's "Joker" was peaking at No.1.
The album was recorded "Live" in the studio, and according to band members there were technical problems resulting in poor sound quality and a "hiss" throughout the album. The band further claims that the producer had too much control over the track selection, and omitted their more popular stage numbers.
The songs were eventually included on the next album. Many of the songs were written before Rob Halford had joined the band. The track "Caviar and Meths" was originally a 14 minute epic penned by Halford's predecessor , Al Atkins, but due to time constraints, only the intro is recorded for the album. A longer version of the song appears on originalsinger Al Atkins' 1998 album "Victim of Changes." Though not the full-length version, it is notably longer than seven minutes. Tha album also contains covers of the songs "Winter" and "Never Satisfied."

At this point of the band's carrer they had not yet developed their signature look of leather and studs. They had appeared on a British television programme called "The Old Gry Whistle Test" in 1975 performing "Rocka Rolla" and "Dreamer Deciever", and their wardrobe was very "Hippified" as writer Malcom Dome put it. This footage was included on the "Electric Eye" DVD. In addition, the album has some slight "progressive rock" influences that would continue through to Stained Class, but to a lesser extent, and would be abandoned in later releases. Over all, the album was quite typical sounding for the time.


Drummer John Hinch would be dismissed in 1975, before the next record was to begin production, for what Glenn Tipton would later call him being "musically inadequate."

The album was re-issued in 1987 with a different cover. Reportedly the band was unhappy with the original cover art and logo, as it didn't fit in wit they're being a heavy metal band. There are also rumours that the Coca-Cola company brought legal pressure because the original album art resembled too closely their most famous brand. The re-issue cover art (by artist Mel Grant, and originally used as the cover for the novel "The Steel Tsar" was also used as the US cover of "Ballistix" for the Turbo Grafx 16 and Commodore Amiga.

Since the album was released during the period when K.K. Downing was the band's frontman, this remains the only album on which he is the primary songwriter. Judas Priest have rarely performed any of the songs from Rocka Rolla live since the mid-late 70's. However, "Never Satisfied" was brought into the band's setlist for the 2011 Epitaph tour.

**Title - Label - Cat.# - Format - Country - Year**

• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GULP1005, LP, UK, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- MC GULP 1005, Cass, Italy, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- 25 597-5, LP, Germany, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- 6.22 017, GULP 1005, LP, Germany, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- 2033 703, LP, France, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GULP22000, LP, France, 1974
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- 6.22017, 6.22 017 (AS), LP, Germany, 1974, (promo)
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GP479, LP, Japan, 1977
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GP479, LP, Japan, 1977, (promo)
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- VIP-6554, LP, Japan, 1978, (promo) Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GULP 1005, LP, UK, 1978, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- VIP6554, LP Japan, 1978, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- INT 148.304, LP, Germany, 1978, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Visa- IMP7001, LP, US, 1979, Repress, (1st. US release)
• Rocka Rolla - Passport- PB 2030, LP, Canada, 1980, Repress, (1st. Canadian release)
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GULP 1005, LP, Italy, 1981
• Rocka Rolla - Friends Records- FRLP 9906, LP, Netherlands, 1981, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Milan- PD201, LP (Pic. Disc), France, 1983, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - SPI- PD201, LP (Pic. Disc), France, 1983, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Milan- A201, LP, Germany, 1983, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - S.P.I. Milan, LP, France, 1983, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Heldion, 7.151462, Cass, Yugoslavia, 1984
• Rocka Rolla - Fame- FA 41 3137 1, LP, UK, 1984, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - RCA/Victor- AYL 1-5041, LP US, 1984
• Rocka Rolla - High Stereo Light, ST. 0. 53, LP, South Korea, 1985, Unofficial Pirate copy
• Rocka Rolla - Victoria- VMC-123, 50.650, Cass, Spain, 1985
• Rocka Rolla - Ariola- 206473, LP, France, 1985
• Rocka Rolla - Victoria, VLP-123, E-30.650, Spain, 1985, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Victoria, VLP-123, 50.650, Cass, Spain, 1986, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Festival Records Pty. Ltd., Gull- LP, Australia, 1986, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Penquin- 30.001, LP, Greece, 1986, Repress
• Rocka Rolla - Line- LICD 9.00101O, CD, Germany, 1987
• Rocka Rolla - RCA- 5041-2-R, CD, US, 1988
• Rocka Rolla - Heldion, Fame- 7.551462, LP, Yugoslovia, 1989
• Rocka Rolla - Gull, Metal Mania- TECP 25387/GULP1005, CD, Japan, 1990
• Rocka Rolla - Gull, Gull- GULP 1005/SUPR 001, LP South Korea, 1990
• Rocka Rolla - Gull, Metal Mania- TECX-20608, CD, Japan, 1995
• Rocka Rolla - Go On Deluxe- 3007-2, CD, Scandinavia, 1996, Remastered
• Rocka Rolla - Paradoxx Music- 1309085-1, CD, Brazil, 1997
• Rocka Rolla - Snapper Music- SMMCD 561, CD, UK, 1998
• Rocka Rolla - Imperial Records (13)- TECI-24073, CD, Japan, 2001, Paper sleeve
• Rocka Rolla - Victor- VICP-61650, CD, Japan, 2002, Remastered, Digipak 
• Rocka Rolla - Koch Records- KOC-LP-4581, LP, US, 2008, Ltd. Gatefold, 180 gram vinyl
• Rocka Rolla - Back on Black- BOBV251LP, LP, UK, 2010, Ltd. White Translucent 180 gram vinyl, Remastered.
• Rocka Rolla - Back on Black- BOBV251LP, LP, UK, 2010, Remastered Ltd. 180 gram Black vinyl.
• Rocka Rolla - Repertoire- REP 5236, CD, Germany, 2011, Remastered, Digipak 
• Rocka Rolla - Victor- VICP-75044, CD, Japan, 2012, Remastered
• Rocka Rolla - Victor- VICP-78019, CD, Japan, 2014. Remastered, Platinum SHM with K2 HD mastering. HD cutting. Comes in a CD sized paper sleeve album replica, with obi strip and insert of notes mostly in Japanese.
• Rocka Rolla - Repertoire- V129, REP 2234, LP, UK, 2015
• Rocka Rolla - Victor- VICP-65425, CD, Japan, 2016, Ltd Re-issue, with K2HD mastering.
• Rocka Rolla - Transluxe- 57801-2, CD, US, (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Transluxe- TLCD 7801, CD, US, (Date unknown) Columbia House Record Club Edition.
• Rocka Rolla - Metal Hammer, Heavy Metal- 100298/CD 100298, CD, Greece (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Repertoire- REP 4307-WY, CD, Germany (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Attic Records Limited- ACDM 1179, CD, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Top Masters Ltd./Seagull Records Co. Ltd.- CD 100298, CD, Greece (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Victor- VICP 61650, CD, 8-Page booklet, Russia (Date unknown) Unofficial release.
• Rocka Rolla - Koch- KOC-CD-8068, CD, US, Remastered (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Repertoire- REP 4305-WY, CD, Germany (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - CD Media Rcords- none, CD, Russia (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Attic- CAT 1179, Cass, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Milan- C 201, Cass, France (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Attic- CAT-1179, Cass, Canada, Dolby, Columbia House Record Club Edition (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - RCA- AYK1-5041, Cass, US (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - North American Records- NAC-026, Cass, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - not on label- none, Cass, Bulgaria (Date unknown) Unofficial.
• Rocka Rolla - Elbo- 0437, Cass, Poland (Date unknown) Unofficial.
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- GULP 22 000, LP, France (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Attic- LAT 1179, LP, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Attic- LAT-1179, LP, Canada, (Date unknown) Columbia Record Club Edition.
• Rocka Rolla - Gull, Planet Records- GULP1005, LP, Sweden (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - TelaegRecords- 6.61523, Scandinavia (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Import Records- 9356-7001, LP, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Import Records- IMP7001, LP, US, (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - North American Records- 026, LP, Canada (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- OLLP 5371 AP, LP, Germany, Orange vinyl (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Line Rocords- LILP 4.00101, LP, Germany, White vinyl (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Gull- INT 138.300, LP, Germany (Date unknown)
• Rocka Rolla - Visa- IMPC-7001, Cass, US, (Date unknown)

Milan- PD201, France, 1983

Milan- PD201, France, 1983

Transluxe- TLCD 7801, CD, US, (Date unknown) Columbia House Record Club Edition.

Original pressing with 'Thanks for the words AL!" in credits.

A very expensive Japanese promo

 



French Miss-press from 1983

 


Unofficial South Korean pressing