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

[TAC]

Ha! Yeah, the two bands I'm still acquiring albums from are Priest and Thin Lizzy. I have most from both, but still need some acquisitions. I haven't heard a note of Priest's Point of Entry. I'm just finishing Invincible Shield for another time. I'll fire up Spotify and put on Point of Entry next. Again, never heard a note from it, unless one of the big singles is from it.

Heading Out To The Highway
Hot Rockin'
Desert Plains

[Samsara]

I just put it on. The only one I'm familiar with is "Heading Out to the Highway." "Don't Go" just started.

[Grappler]

I only like Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains ( ).  I just can't get into any other songs from that album. 

[El Barto]

Solar Angels FTW.

[Glasser]

I only like Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains ( ).  I just can't get into any other songs from that album.

Those are the only good songs on that album.

[Samsara]

yeah, I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. It's not bad, per se, but it just felt like everything was running in place. No real ebbs and flows. I liked Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains. Those jumped out on first listen. But everything seemed very...samey. I don't know. I'll listen to it again, but other than those two songs, which are the standouts, but not necessarily "GREAT," just good, nothing else really surfaced on my first listen to the album.

[pg1067]

yeah, I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. It's not bad, per se, but it just felt like everything was running in place. No real ebbs and flows. I liked Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains. Those jumped out on first listen. But everything seemed very...samey. I don't know. I'll listen to it again, but other than those two songs, which are the standouts, but not necessarily "GREAT," just good, nothing else really surfaced on my first listen to the album.

That's not an unfair take.  It's 10 songs that all have relatively the same vibe and which range between 3:17 - 4:36.

I'm not a fan of the verses of Don't Go, but the chorus and break are great.  Hot Rockin' kicks ass (I posted something about it in response to a Stadler comment, but it must have been in a different thread).  Turning Circles starts off odd, but it's really solid once it gets going.  Solar Angels might be the most different song on the album, and it probably could have been greatly improved with a bit more length and build-up.  I'm not much of a fan of the last four songs.

[TAC]

My ranking is something like this...


Screaming for Vengeance
Stained Class
Painkiller
Sad Wings of Destiny
Invincible Shield
Firepower
Defenders of the Faith
Sin after Sin
British Steel
Redeemer of Souls
Nostradamus
Point of Entry
Jugulator
Angel of Retribution
Killing Machine
Rocka Rolla
Turbo
Ram it Down
Demolition

I'm surprised that Rocka Rolla is so low. It's a very late 60's, early 70's British heavy metal record, ala Sabbath and Zeppelin, IMO. I'd even compare it to the first two Kiss records; they're not British, but same influences.

Rocka Rolla is a lot more spacey to me than Sabbath or Zeppelin. It has more in common with Lonesome Crow and the first two UFO albums to me. Sabbath and Zeppelin are more stronger and somewhat direct.

And I can't compare it to the first two Kiss albums in anyway. Those were well written concise songs. Rock Rolla is all over the place.

I never have any inkling to listen to it.

[Stadler]

I only like Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains ( ).  I just can't get into any other songs from that album.

Those are the only good songs on that album.

No.  I don't know if he'd say "BEST", but I'm with El Barto on "Solar Angels" and for me it IS the best song on the album.  I also think "Don't Go" is excellent, as is "Turning Circles".

[Stadler]

My ranking is something like this...


Screaming for Vengeance
Stained Class
Painkiller
Sad Wings of Destiny
Invincible Shield
Firepower
Defenders of the Faith
Sin after Sin
British Steel
Redeemer of Souls
Nostradamus
Point of Entry
Jugulator
Angel of Retribution
Killing Machine
Rocka Rolla
Turbo
Ram it Down
Demolition

I'm surprised that Rocka Rolla is so low. It's a very late 60's, early 70's British heavy metal record, ala Sabbath and Zeppelin, IMO. I'd even compare it to the first two Kiss records; they're not British, but same influences.

Rocka Rolla is a lot more spacey to me than Sabbath or Zeppelin. It has more in common with Lonesome Crow and the first two UFO albums to me. Sabbath and Zeppelin are more stronger and somewhat direct.

HAHAHAHAHA, I had "Sabbath and UFO" at first and changed it!!  I thought you'd kick back at the UFO reference, since there's nowhere near the Schenker level of guitar playing on Rocka Rolla. 

And I can't compare it to the first two Kiss albums in anyway. Those were well written concise songs. Rock Rolla is all over the place.

I never have any inkling to listen to it.

Fair point; I was thinking of the guitar tones more than anything.  That gritty Gibson through a Marshall sound. There really isn't anything like Run of the Mill or that Winter sequence on ANY Kiss album let alone the first two.

[El Barto]

I only like Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains ( ).  I just can't get into any other songs from that album.

Those are the only good songs on that album.

No.  I don't know if he'd say "BEST", but I'm with El Barto on "Solar Angels" and for me it IS the best song on the album.  I also think "Don't Go" is excellent, as is "Turning Circles".

I prefer Desert Planes (not gonna abbreviate that one here), but the two are definitely the best on the album.

[Stadler]

I only like Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains ( ).  I just can't get into any other songs from that album.

Those are the only good songs on that album.

No.  I don't know if he'd say "BEST", but I'm with El Barto on "Solar Angels" and for me it IS the best song on the album.  I also think "Don't Go" is excellent, as is "Turning Circles".

I prefer Desert Planes (not gonna abbreviate that one here), but the two are definitely the best on the album.

Why not? That'd make a hell of a sig! 

[EPICVIEW]

Point of Entry and Ozzy Diary of a Madman were the first CDs I ever bought... I wanna say 1985?  when did CDs come to market?  I was so excited to hear in full clarity and not with the ole album pops and crackles or low quality cassettes 

[TAC]

HAHAHAHAHA, I had "Sabbath and UFO" at first and changed it!!  I thought you'd kick back at the UFO reference, since there's nowhere near the Schenker level of guitar playing on Rocka Rolla. 

I was thinking the FIRST TWO UFO albums...pre Schenker.

[Stadler]

HAHAHAHAHA, I had "Sabbath and UFO" at first and changed it!!  I thought you'd kick back at the UFO reference, since there's nowhere near the Schenker level of guitar playing on Rocka Rolla. 

I was thinking the FIRST TWO UFO albums...pre Schenker.

Never heard them. 

[Dream Team]

yeah, I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. It's not bad, per se, but it just felt like everything was running in place. No real ebbs and flows. I liked Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains. Those jumped out on first listen. But everything seemed very...samey. I don't know. I'll listen to it again, but other than those two songs, which are the standouts, but not necessarily "GREAT," just good, nothing else really surfaced on my first listen to the album.

They were trying for an AC/DC vibe on that record. Short, simple, catchy, not heavy. (Back in Black had come out shortly before).

Rocka Rolla is more blues rock than anything, definitely not metal.

[Zydar]

Solar Angels FTW.

Oh yes! That's always been a favourite of mine from that album.

[MirrorMask]

There's a passage in Escape from Reality (at least I hope it's that song, heard it yesterday late at night coming home from a concert  ) where they suddenly go into Sabbath-esque territory, both the music and Rob's delivery which reminds a bit of Ozzy.

[DoctorAction]

I really like that passage. Rob does a fantastic Ozzy there.

[DoctorAction]

Dipping around in the back catalogue between Shield listens and other bands. Nowhere near familiar enough to have strong opinions but they're quite an unusual band, it seems to me. The style is quite all over the place. There are plenty of bits that remind me of that era of British punk and pop among the classic rock, and some experimental/out-there tracks where Rob especially is going for something quite different.

V much enjoying it, though. Nice to discover something very, very late, if you know what I mean.

[Mladen]

yeah, I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. It's not bad, per se, but it just felt like everything was running in place. No real ebbs and flows. I liked Head Out to the Highway and Desert Plains. Those jumped out on first listen. But everything seemed very...samey. I don't know. I'll listen to it again, but other than those two songs, which are the standouts, but not necessarily "GREAT," just good, nothing else really surfaced on my first listen to the album.

They were trying for an AC/DC vibe on that record. Short, simple, catchy, not heavy. (Back in Black had come out shortly before).

I've always felt Point of entry sounded the way it did because Breaking the law, United and Living after midnight had come out shortly before.

[Grappler]

V much enjoying it, though. Nice to discover something very, very late, if you know what I mean.

That's me - I had the Metal Works greatest hits cd for YEARS before going through the majority of the older albums a couple of years ago.  I knew Rocka Rolla would not be my thing, so there's no point in listening to it.  I have followed them from Jugulator onward, but was content with a greatest hits and just the major metal albums of their catalog (Painkiller, British Steel, SFV) for a long time. 

I've found some deeper tracks that I like, but for the most part, I know how I want my Priest to sound - heavy as shit with a great production. 

[emtee]

Just read that Invincible Shield has charted higher in the UK than ANY of their previous albums. #2.

Congrats to the band for this incredible feat!

[MirrorMask]

It charted well also in Italy.

Italy has a strong metalhead underground, but the keyword is underground. It's rare for metal albums to actually chart. Mid to small bands play in smaller venues than they do in other parts of Europe. So for a metal band, no matter how big, to actually chart in Italy it's a very strong feature!

Also, as much as it pains me since Bruce Dickinson is my musical god, I have to say I'm enjoying Invincible Shield more. It's not that I dislike The Mandrake Project, there's not a single song there that I would remove from the album - it's just that the new Priest album conquers me even more!

[Mladen]

I've only listened to Invincible shield twice so far, and my first impressions are pretty good. I don't think it will top Firepower, that album just shocked us by how amazing it was, and the highlights on it were remarkable, but this one is also stunningly consistent for a band that's been doing this for so long.

[EPICVIEW]

I've only listened to Invincible shield twice so far, and my first impressions are pretty good. I don't think it will top Firepower, that album just shocked us by how amazing it was, and the highlights on it were remarkable, but this one is also stunningly consistent for a band that's been doing this for so long.

I feel /felt the same as you as I love Firepower.... but the sonic greatness of I S  and spending more spins with I S has me now thinking its as good or maybe better

[Stadler]

There's a passage in Escape from Reality (at least I hope it's that song, heard it yesterday late at night coming home from a concert  ) where they suddenly go into Sabbath-esque territory, both the music and Rob's delivery which reminds a bit of Ozzy.

I was thinking that yesterday while listening to it in the car.  I was thinking of a "coda" to my review!

To that end, I got the deluxe version from Target over the weekend, and can add the following:

One, I didn't realize that Andy Sneap produced the record, but Tom Allom was involved for "Priest Metal Insight", whatever that is. .  Whatever it is, it's GOOD!   

Also, the artwork on the deluxe version - by Mark Wilkinson of Marillion/Fish/Iron Maiden fame - is stellar.  There are some awesome paintings in there; more or less one for each song.  The one for "The Serpent And The King" is amazing, as is the one for "As God Is My Witness".   

[emtee]

I've only listened to Invincible shield twice so far, and my first impressions are pretty good. I don't think it will top Firepower, that album just shocked us by how amazing it was, and the highlights on it were remarkable, but this one is also stunningly consistent for a band that's been doing this for so long.

I feel /felt the same as you as I love Firepower.... but the sonic greatness of I S  and spending more spins with I S has me now thinking its as good or maybe better

I spun both of them back-to-back this weekend. The new car smell of IS as well as the heavier mix of songs has me thinking IS is a little better overall.

[cramx3]

Looks like they changed their setlist to include more new music 

[EPICVIEW]

Looks like they changed their setlist to include more new music 

hopefully they can add and not subtract any of the hits..: )

[cramx3]

I've actually been listening more and more of the album and liking it more and more.

Also, as much as it pains me since Bruce Dickinson is my musical god, I have to say I'm enjoying Invincible Shield more. It's not that I dislike The Mandrake Project, there's not a single song there that I would remove from the album - it's just that the new Priest album conquers me even more!

I mentioned this before as I didn't think it was a fair comparison, but couldn't help myself from thinking about the two given the timing and felt the same way.  While I respect Bruce and his album is more diverse, this JP album is more in line with what I like in metal music.  The guitars and catchy chorus type of music.  This album also sounds way better.  The production is nice.  I'd say Bruce's vocals blow away Rob's (generally, IMO), but I do actually think the production helps Rob here where it hurts Bruce on his album a bit.

[EPICVIEW]

 

I've only listened to Invincible shield twice so far, and my first impressions are pretty good. I don't think it will top Firepower, that album just shocked us by how amazing it was, and the highlights on it were remarkable, but this one is also stunningly consistent for a band that's been doing this for so long.

I feel /felt the same as you as I love Firepower.... but the sonic greatness of I S  and spending more spins with I S has me now thinking its as good or maybe better

I spun both of them back-to-back this weekend. The new car smell of IS as well as the heavier mix of songs has me thinking IS is a little better overall.

[nick_z]

There's a passage in Escape from Reality (at least I hope it's that song, heard it yesterday late at night coming home from a concert  ) where they suddenly go into Sabbath-esque territory, both the music and Rob's delivery which reminds a bit of Ozzy.

I was thinking that yesterday while listening to it in the car.  I was thinking of a "coda" to my review!

To that end, I got the deluxe version from Target over the weekend, and can add the following:

One, I didn't realize that Andy Sneap produced the record, but Tom Allom was involved for "Priest Metal Insight", whatever that is. .  Whatever it is, it's GOOD!   

Also, the artwork on the deluxe version - by Mark Wilkinson of Marillion/Fish/Iron Maiden fame - is stellar.  There are some awesome paintings in there; more or less one for each song.  The one for "The Serpent And The King" is amazing, as is the one for "As God Is My Witness".

Yes to all of this! I got the deluxe as well, and the artwork is really good!

[Mladen]

Dang, they cranked out yet another good album this late in the game. The Serpent and the king is probably my favorite, Rob sounds absolutely insane on it. Panic attack, Gates of hell and Escape from reality are also amazing. I do prefer Firepower overall, though, the songs on that one that are great are better than this album's highlights.

Updated ranking:

Screaming for vengeance
Point of entry
Painkiller
Sin after sin
Angel of retribution
Defenders of the faith
Brittish steel
Killing machine
Firepower
Sad wings of destiny
Stained class
Invincible shield
Nostradamus
Rocka rolla
Turbo
Redeemer of souls
Jugulator
Ram it down
Demolition

[Evermind]

I've listened to the album twice and I'm enjoying it more than Firepower and RoS. Very solid effort.

Early favourite is Trial by Fire.