* * * * <i> Great Balls of Fire</i> * * * <i> Good Vibrations</i> * * <i> Maybe Baby</i> * <i> Running on Empty : </i> : PRIEST: LAST RITES?

* “PRIEST . . . LIVE,” Judas Priest. Columbia. For years, Judas Priest was the standard by which heavy-metal bands were judged. They took the genre beyond mind-numbing rhythm and pointless guitar solos, adding melody, elegant guitar gymnastics and occasional humor. And since Priest was most exciting on stage, this double live album should be wonderful. But with few exceptions, “Priest . . . Live” sounds like a caricature of a heavy-metal band. Most of the fault lies with the flat production. In what is practically a sacrilege for a metal record, the guitars are mixed too low. Also hidden are Rob Halford’s unique vocals. A few songs do rise above the general mediocrity. “Living After Midnight” remains a classic, “Parental Guidance” provides a few chuckles and “Some Heads Are Going to Roll” is still a nice angry anthem. Given some energetic production and judicious editing, “Priest . . . Live” could have been a terrific single album. As a double record it’s a dud.