Radical Cut wrote:
Pfft. Black Sabbath bores and meanders and Preist has a handful of good songs that are drowned out by decades of flat out sucking, MDB shits all over their tired uneven catalogues (figuratively speaking). Maiden is the only one mentioned that has the consistent awesomeness to be considered truly among the greatest, and even they had some down moments. Not to say MDB is the most astounding band ever assembled, but they do have a strong career (certainly more than most) and a hand in pioneering extreme Doom Metal to boast of, and have written some classic songs.
Sabbath gets way too much credit for simply being Sabbath while no one seems to care that they are often lame, and the same goes for Priest. I know they are sacred cows of Metal but for fuck's sake, just because any number of douchebags working for a magazine or website can list them in a greatest album list shouldn't be your trump card in arguing the merrits of the bands.
Priest only had 2 or 3 sucky albums in 36 years of service. The rest range from good to legendary. They are consistent enough, by any standards.
A handful of good songs?

I actually think they are the band with the greatest number of killer songs in metal. It would take too long just to remember them all.
I agree about BS though, they often tend to bore me too. But they're still more influential than MDB will ever hope to be. That said, I'll listen to MDB over BS any given day.