THE Judas Priest thread - v. new album and tour in 2024

[Dream Team]

The last several are very good. I spun Anger Of Retribution last night and there are some bangers on it.
Redeemer, despite some odd sonic choices, is also enjoyable. Firepower rocks. I can pretty much pull any of their albums off the shelf and enjoy it from beginning to end. I can't say that about many bands.

It helps that most of their albums have a unique style and aren't all "same old, same old".

[gazinwales]

Friday morning in AU and I am listening to IS via YTM, first thing that hit me is how good the production and mix are.
So far I'm impressed, but I know with 14 songs, there may be a dip in quality 
Waiting on the Blu-Spec CD2 to come from Japan for the full audio nerd experience.

[wolfking]

Friday morning in AU and I am listening to IS via YTM, first thing that hit me is how good the production and mix are.
So far I'm impressed, but I know with 14 songs, there may be a dip in quality 
Waiting on the Blu-Spec CD2 to come from Japan for the full audio nerd experience.

Was going to pick this one up but looks like JB are 'out of stock' on the deluxe edition. 

[wolfking]

Having a listen now.

The title track fucking slays.  Has traces of Hell Bent, Starbreaker and Rob at parts in the chorus sounds like RID era to me.  Verse reminds me of some heavier Gamma Ray too.  Really well written song.

Devil in Disguise reminds me of mid tempo Megadeth too.

Gates of Hell has an awesome catchy chorus.  Sounds like Halford 4 a little, but better.

[wolfking]

This album is a beast.  Loses a bit of steam near the end but I think a relisten will fix that.  Everything here is well above par, except the Lodger, that's pretty crap.  Dunno what the fuck they were thinking here, the chorus is terrible but everything else is fucking quality.

It's such a shame Glenn was in no shape to play anything here (lead wise, who knows about rhythm) but Richie is weapon, great guitar player.

[Glasser]

This album is a beast.  Loses a bit of steam near the end but I think a relisten will fix that.  Everything here is well above par, except the Lodger, that's pretty crap.  Dunno what the fuck they were thinking here, the chorus is terrible but everything else is fucking quality.

It's such a shame Glenn was in no shape to play anything here (lead wise, who knows about rhythm) but Richie is weapon, great guitar player.

I'm totally pumped for this!!!! I wonder how it hold up against Firepower?

[wolfking]

This album is a beast.  Loses a bit of steam near the end but I think a relisten will fix that.  Everything here is well above par, except the Lodger, that's pretty crap.  Dunno what the fuck they were thinking here, the chorus is terrible but everything else is fucking quality.

It's such a shame Glenn was in no shape to play anything here (lead wise, who knows about rhythm) but Richie is weapon, great guitar player.

I'm totally pumped for this!!!! I wonder how it hold up against Firepower?

Couldn't comment on that yet.  Will need a lot of listens.  It's hard to see it topping Firepower though, but it's very strong.

[wolfking]

Actually, when Firepower has songs like Rising and Traitor, yeah, don't see what's here that could top those, in isolation.

[Glasser]

Actually, when Firepower has songs like Rising and Traitor, yeah, don't see what's here that could top those, in isolation.

I hope the production is like Painkiller and Firepower. Those 2 songs are beasts!

[wolfking]

Yeah, it sounds amazing.

[NoseofNicko]

except the Lodger, that's pretty crap.  Dunno what the fuck they were thinking here, the chorus is terrible

Good news is it’s a bonus track so it doesn’t affect the quality of the actual album.

That, Fight of Your Life and Vicious Circle are bonus tracks.

[wolfking]

except the Lodger, that's pretty crap.  Dunno what the fuck they were thinking here, the chorus is terrible

Good news is it’s a bonus track so it doesn’t affect the quality of the actual album.

That, Fight of Your Life and Vicious Circle are bonus tracks.

Yeah, I knew that, sorry should have mentioned that.  The other two were as enjoyable as a lot of songs on the album though.

[EPICVIEW]

17 minutes till available on Spotify    ...again not that im counting the minutes  : )

[DTwwbwMP]

PRIEST...PRIEST...PRIEST!!!! Loving this!

[ozzy554]

Just finished listening to it and man that hour just flew by. The production once again is fantastic as usual but I come to expect that with Sneap at the helm. The entire band sound energized and clearly put their all into it. Especially Rob who sounds fantastic here. While I don't hate The Lodger it's definitely the closest thing to a clunker on the album and I can see how it got relegated to the deluxe edition.

One of the stand out tracks for me is As God is my Witness. The instrumentation gives me Hard as Iron vibes and I just love the energy.

[Zydar]

A nice interview with Ian Hill from a few days ago.

https://www.allmusic.com/blog/post/judas-priests-ian-hill-discusses-new-album

And I can't wait to spend the weekend with the new album. I loved Firepower and this one seems to be just as good.

[Samsara]

On my first listen, and this fucking thing CRUSHES. Really impressed. 

[Grappler]

I'm loving the album.  It's amazing that they can deliver something like this so late in their career - the last two have been killer and Redeemer of Souls was really cool too.

[Samsara]

TBH, Grapp, I thought Redeemer, Firepower, and now this, are easily some of the standouts from their entire catalog. Just sonically, they sound massive. I'm blown away Rob can sound like this in his 70s.

[Samsara]

One of the stand out tracks for me is As God is my Witness. The instrumentation gives me Hard as Iron vibes and I just love the energy.

This one blew me away on first listen. 

[NoseofNicko]

Holy fucking shit this album is incredible!

[twosuitsluke]

Holy fucking shit this album is incredible!

I'm not even a Judas Priest fan, but....

This!

[ProfessorPeart]

Just placed my order for the expanded edition at Target. Almost forgot. I will pick it up after work. Glad I remembered to grab it before it sold out.

[devieira73]

Also loving the album! Comparing to Firepower, my first impression is that Firepower has somewhat a bit more personality than this one, but, it's a very tiny complaint, since the quality of the compositions is excellent. Another minor one, I wish they expanded a bit the instrumental part on Giants in the Sky, after that flamenco guitar solo (so short and very Michael Schenker-ish! ).
Anyway, very happy with the Faulkner era as I also really like a lot Redeemer - I just think it doesn't have the same sound quality than Firepower and Invicible.

[Dream Team]

Great as expected, but I will say that I think it’s missing some of that 70s style light and shade that Faulkner kind of hinted would be there. Rob does indeed sound phenomenal.

I wish Maiden would bring the riffs like this.

[Grappler]

TBH, Grapp, I thought Redeemer, Firepower, and now this, are easily some of the standouts from their entire catalog. Just sonically, they sound massive. I'm blown away Rob can sound like this in his 70s.

After seeing them live in 2022, I tended to listen to Redeemer and Firepower more than the classic albums.  Painkiller will always be their high-water mark though. 

I love that they just put the pedal to the metal and didn't let up given their ages.  Instrumentally, this album has songs that keep up with a lot of the stuff on Painkiller and wouldn't sound out pf place next to them and Halford somehow laid down vocals that are just as strong as 30 years ago. 

[TAC]

I wish Maiden would bring the riffs like this.

That’s never been Maiden’s game.

[DoctorAction]

Listened to this on a car journey today. Not a Priest super-fan but this is great!

As God Is My Witness was my favourite on first listen. I made jaw drop faces and bit my lip when that chorus dropped. 

[DTwwbwMP]

My only problem with this album is that I'm going to be pissed off seeing them live if they don't play all these songs....well, NOT The Lodger but you get my drift! This album is fooking METALTASTIC!

[Samsara]

My only problem with this album is that I'm going to be pissed off seeing them live if they don't play all these songs....well, NOT The Lodger but you get my drift! This album is fooking METALTASTIC!

Yeah, for me, they need to represent this with at least five songs. I do feel the three bonus tracks are on the weak side. Glad they aren't on the album proper. (Although they are on my CD.) When I rip the CD, I'll shuffle those three into a b-sides compilation for Priest that I have. But yes, they need to play a lot of the record.

Sadly, no tour dates by me except for a festival I'm not going to attend. So have to cross my fingers they come back and play properly.

[Stadler]

I don't know; I kind of like The Lodger for what it is.  It's not on the album proper, and it's a little bit of something different.  I haven't seen this in any interviews or anything but I am convinced it's based on the novel of the same name which makes it a bit of fun. 

[DTwwbwMP]

I don't know; I kind of like The Lodger for what it is.  It's not on the album proper, and it's a little bit of something different.  I haven't seen this in any interviews or anything but I am convinced it's based on the novel of the same name which makes it a bit of fun.

I think I did read that somewhere. I do like the chorus of "vengeance is mine".

[Glasser]

I wish Maiden would bring the riffs like this.

That’s never been Maiden’s game.

Also noteworthy that Priest have new young blood keeping them at a high level, I doubt this would be the case if Glenn and KK were still there. Yeah, KK's stuff is cool but not close to new Priest. Maiden are geezers and still doing some high level stuff too.

[DTwwbwMP]

My only problem with this album is that I'm going to be pissed off seeing them live if they don't play all these songs....well, NOT The Lodger but you get my drift! This album is fooking METALTASTIC!

Yeah, for me, they need to represent this with at least five songs.

Agreed...but what 5? That leaves AT LEAST 6 for me to complain about!

[emtee]

They did it again! So many great riffs. You keep thinking the next song has to drop off but then you get kicked in the nads again. Superior sonic values too. Everything is clear and punchy. It's a metal masterclass.