Ram It Down (Judas Priest album, 1988)

Recording and production

Ram It Down was produced by Tom Allom, who had worked with the band on several previous records. The sessions emphasized a polished, powerful sound with layered guitars and strong vocal performances. Allom's involvement marked the end of a long production partnership; he would not co-produce another Judas Priest studio album until much later in the band's career.

Musical content and singles

The album mixes original material with a high-profile rock cover. Singles issued from the record included "Johnny B. Goode" (a rendition of the classic originally associated with Chuck Berry), as well as tracks promoted under the titles "Ram It Down/Heavy Metal", "Blood Red Skies", and "I'm a Rocker". The songs range from straight-ahead heavy metal anthems to more mid-tempo, riff-centered numbers.

Lineup and touring

Ram It Down was the final Judas Priest studio album to feature drummer Dave Holland. After this era the band's lineup evolved, and Holland was later succeeded in the drum position. The personnel change was one of the notable shifts that followed the album's release and subsequent touring cycle.

Reception and legacy

Contemporary responses to the album were mixed; some fans and reviewers appreciated its forceful performances, while others preferred earlier or later periods of the band. Over time Ram It Down has been reassessed by listeners who view it as a document of Judas Priest's persistence in the metal mainstream during the late 1980s.

Notable facts

In addition to being a milestone in the band's chronology, the record marks the end of an era for producer Tom Allom with Judas Priest; Allom would rejoin for a live project many years later. The title track and the album overall are sometimes referenced by band members when describing their heavier repertoire from the British Steel and subsequent periods.

For further reading about the band and album details see the band page and album references: Ram It Down.