JUDAS PRIEST released their fifth album "Killing Machine" in the UK on November 3, 1978, through CBS; the US edition followed in February 1979 on Columbia under the title "Hell Bent for Leather". Produced by James Guthrie with the band, it found Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and drummer Les Binks pushing toward a tighter, more commercial sound without losing their dark edge. "Hell Bent for Leather", "Delivering the Goods" and "Running Wild" became live staples (the US edition added a cover of FLEETWOOD MAC's "The Green Manalishi"), and Tipton introduced tapping into his solos. Just as importantly, this was the moment PRIEST adopted the leather-and-studs look inspired by Halford, an image the whole of heavy metal would soon wear. It was also Binks' final studio album with the band.
