Judas Priest: Rob Halford (vocals); Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar); Ian Hill (bass).

Additional personnel: Simon Phillips, Les Binks, Dave Holland, Scott Travis (drums).

Producers include: Judas Priest, Roger Glover, James Guthrie, Dennis Mackay, Tom Allom.

Includes liner notes by Neil Jeffries & Judas Priest.

Features in-depth interviews with Judas Priest, Skid Row, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne and Slayer. Also contains rarely seen material including the band's first ever appearance on TV in 1974, coverage of their infamous Reno, Nevada court case and clips from the band's personal archive.

Personnel: Rob Halford (vocals); Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing (guitar); Dave Holland , Les Binks, Simon Phillips, Scott Travis (drums).

Audio Remasterers: Judas Priest; Tom (Colonel) Allom.

Liner Note Author: Neil Jeffries.

Photographers: Ray Palmer; Joe Giron; Anna Maria DiSantos; Tony Mottram; Geoffrey Hargrave Thomas; Glen LaFerman.

Let's make this simple--if you want to hear some of the toughest heavy metal ever recorded, this double-disc 1993 Judas Priest career overview does it. The Priest will forever hold its place as the decisive metal outfit of the era, as shown by any selection here.

METAL WORKS '73-'93 is an exceptionally well-balanced compilation. For every "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," "Living After Midnight," and "Breaking the Law," it includes such often-overlooked gems as "Dissident Aggressor," "Beyond the Realms of Death," and "Sinner." The band's look--metal-studded wrist bands, head bands, and motorcycle jackets--may inspire listeners to don similar gear while listening to such thrashers as "Painkiller," "Electric Eye," "Metal Gods," "Freewheel Burning," and "Headin' Out to the Highway."

Entertainment Weekly (6/11/93, p.66) - "...a once-over-lightly history of metal veterans Judas Priest..." - Rating: B-