10 Worst Debut Albums By Amazing Rock Artists
6. Rocka Rolla - Judas Priest
Judas Priest had some serious power in their corner when the time came to record their first ever album.
Rocka Rolla was produced by Rodger Bain, the man who had been behind the desk for Black Sabbath's first three releases. Surely this meant that nothing could go wrong!
Yeah, about that...
Considering how ground-breaking those Sabbath albums were, it's amazing to listen to Rocka Rolla and hear nothing but boring '70s radio rock. There's a little bit of a bite to the music, but not nearly as much as other albums available. This was the year of Deep Purple's Burn, Kiss' Hotter Than Hell, and Queen's Sheer Heart Attack!
You gotta bring the big guns out if you want to compete with them.
AllMusic summed it up best when they called the record "sketchy and underfocused". There just wasn't much to latch onto, as listeners sat there wondering when this album was finally going to get started.
That same review did say that Rocka Rolla "definitely hints at Judas Priest's potential and originality". Thank God for that, because this album was such a flop that the band members were reportedly left financially ruined and starving.
At least brighter days were ahead.