Ram It Down

Ram It Down serves as a critical pivot point in Judas Priest's discography, marking the end of their 1980s commercial peak and foreshadowing the aggressive reinvention of 1990's Painkiller. Originally conceived as part of a double album titled Twin Turbos, the record discarded the more commercial 'pop' elements of its predecessor, Turbo, in favor of a harder, faster sound. The album is historically notable for its heavy reliance on drum programming and digital synthesizers, which created a divisive, 'mechanical' sonic profile that critics at AllMusic noted as a step toward speed metal. While it contains some of the band's fastest material to date, such as 'Hard as Iron,' it also retains the anthemic hard rock sensibilities of their mid-80s work. The album was a commercial success, achieving gold status quickly, and remains a fan favorite for those who appreciate Halford's peak vocal range and the band's transition into a more punishing, modern metal sound.