I just posted part of this post over in the albums thread, but had to make an appearance here as well.
I'm honestly so bowled over by this album. Judas Priest have always been one of those older metal bands I can enjoy, but never came close to being one of my favourites. If I'm talking about my all time favourite metal bands/albums, then my ground zero is basically Metallica's Kill 'Em All. Thrash is where metal REALLY got good as far as I'm concerned. I appreciate the stuff that came before, and it's importance in Metallica's existence in the first place, but generally it's doesn't get my blood pumping in the same way. That's just a background on where I've been at with Priest, ever since getting into metal.
I wasn't even going to check this album out, but Glasser kinda convinced me (cheers dude). Well, it hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday and I can't even really explain it, but I know it's predominantly about the fucking riffs! A good barometer for me is how much I air guitar to a riff/solo.
Well let me tell you, this thing has had me air guitaring whilst cooking, in the shower and whilst I'm taking a shit. That says it all. Invincible Shield just makes me want to bang my head and shred my air guitar. The production is also of the highest order, and everything just feels beefy.
I'm on my third listen through since yesterday, and those first 3 or 4 songs in particular have just floored me. I can't quite comprehend how a band of guys who, for the most part, are all in their 70s, have it in them. It's like the reverse of my awe for early Enslaved where Ivar was writing groundbreaking black metal at like 13 and 14. It adds a level of respect for the album to be honest.
It's also got me thinking about Metallica and their latest album. Purely my opinion, but Invincible Shield has heart and soul, and a level of energy that I find lacking on 72 Seasons. Also, the riffs (and yes, I will keep harping on about the riffs) felt recycled and stale on 72 Seasons for me, whilst these ones feel fresh. It in no way feels like a band going through the motions. I've had a bit of a feeling of disappointment that Metallica don't seem to still have it in them to record an album this good.
Maybe this year will be the year I become a Priest convert.
Oh, also, count me as one of those who digs The Lodger