Painkiller (Album)

Overview
Painkiller is the twelfth studio album by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, and was the first to feature Scott Travis on drums.

Recording
This was the first album since Unleashes in the East to not feature Tom Allom as producer, instead featuring Chris Tsangarides, who had previously worked on Sad Wings of Destiny as an engineer. It was recorded at Miraval Studios, near the town of Brignoles, in the south east of France, and was mixed at Wisseloord Studios in Holland

Promotion
"Painkiller", "A Touch of Evil" and "Night Crawler" were released as singles in September 1990, March 1991 and April 1992 respectively. "Painkiller" and "A Touch of Evil" additionally received music videos.

Tour
The tour in support of Painkiller featured the Rock in Rio festival, which marked the bands first visit to South America. During the European leg of the tour, the band visited some of the previously taboo ex-Eastern Bloc countries.

After the Painkiller tour, Judas Priest, alongside Alice Cooper and Motorhead, embarked on the Operation Rock and Roll tour in the U.S.A. and Canada. The last show on said tour was at C.N.E. Gardens in Toronto, Canada, which proved to be the final Judas Priest show for 7 years, and the last to feature Rob Halford until 2004.

Lead Breaks
Painkiller - Middle of song - Glenn Tipton / End of song K.K. Downing

Hell Patrol - 1st half - Downing / 2nd half - Tipton

All Guns Blazing - Tipton

Leather Rebel - both / Runs at the end of lead break - Downing

Metal Meltdown - Intro - Downing / Tipton / Lead break - Downing / Tipton / Downing / Tipton

Night Crawler - both together

Between the Hammer & the Anvil - Downing / Tipton

A Touch of Evil - Tipton

One Shot at Glory - Entry lick - Tipton / 2nd verse entry lick - Downing / Lead break - Downing / Tipton / both / Outro - Tipton

Band
Ian Hill - Bass

Scott Travis - Drums

K.K. Downing - Guitars

Glenn Tipton - Guitars

Rob Halford - Vocals

Production
Produced by Chris Tsangarides

Artwork
Original cover design based on original concept by Judas Priest

Illustrated by Mark Milkinson

Original graphics by Peacock Marketing & Design

Additional
Managed by Bill Curbishley and Jayne Andrews

Remaster
Remasters cover concept by Judas Priest

Remastered by Jon Astley

Design and Artwork by L-Space Design

Remastering co-ordinated by Jayne Andrews

Photographs by Joe Giron, Ray Palmer, Mark Weiss and from the Judas Priest Archives