By Jeff Metcalf Apr 20, 2005, 22:23 GMT
Judas Priest may well be the second most influential band in the history of heavy metal band right behind Black Sabbath.
During their formative years in the seventies, the band recorded four albums. Sad Wings Of Destiny through Hell Bent For Leather that, in addition to being great metal albums single-handedly defined metal music for the next decade and beyond.
By the 80's the band was riding high, in a slightly shifted direction, to a somewhat more mainstream sound that paid off as Screaming For Vengeance and Defenders Of The Faith ranked as their some of their most popular albums ever. After releasing a couple more albums, the band released Painkiller, which signalled the end of the line for vocalist Rob Halford. He departed the band to pursue a solo career and formed a couple of band that were not well received Rob finally formed a band under his own name, Halford which very well could have been Judas Priest albums.
While Rob Halford was out on his own a new Judas Priest was born with a new vocalist, Tim "Ripper" Owens, and a new sound which sharply divided fans, some who embraced the new style and several who did not.
With Rob's career back on track with his new band Halford, and Judas Priest's in somewhat of a decline, it was hoped that Halford would rejoin Priest eventually, even though the parties involved denied possibility.
But rejoin they did, in July of 2003, agreeing to a tour and record a new album to mark their 30th anniversary. And at long last, the much-anticipated new album, Angel Of Retribution, has been released. An album deserving of the hallowed Priest name. Clearly one of the best comeback metal albums the year!The album opener "Judas Rising” is probably the best metal moment on the whole CD, delivering an impact of raging metal not heard since "British Steel"! The bone crunching guitar work destroys your ears with gleeful intensity.
The next track,” Deal with the Devil", hearkens to Halford's solo song"Made In Hell". Both songs are solid and metal to the core!
The muddy bass intro to "Revolution", the first single off the album, prepares you for the adrenaline inspiration of the albums title contained in its chorus! It might be the single but there is nothing "radio" here! "Revolution" is reminiscent to 1977's "United" from British Steel and Rob Halford shows his amazing vocal range that is the signature for this legendary band.
"Worth Fighting For" slows the pace down a bit more, allowing the pensive Metal Gods to stop for a breather, but not for long! (They are getting on in years by the way).
"Demonizer" does not come a moment too soon, reclaiming the urgency of the first two tracks. Its most likely the angriest track here. Halford doing his best to vocally melt the microphone.
"Angel" is delivered softly, reminiscent of "Before the Dawn" which has always been one of my favourite Priest tracks. Strange how, similar to Stained Class or Painkiller, the boys allow you to see a lighter side of the metal maniacs.
"Wheels of Fire" is a fist-clenched opus with a tight and catchy presentation that culminates in as a straight ahead in your face metal masterpiece!
"Hellrider" brings chills to all the Defenders of the Faith era fans by delivering a satisfying culmination of hard rock rebellion. Once again very interesting and compelling.
"Eulogy" is a song that serves up musical a decent to the end of this record as it heads to the grave. As you will soon see by the next track. "Lochness." The albums closing track that should have been left in the studio and given a proper burial. 13 minutes of an attempt that feels like it should have been on the soundtrack of the metal spoof Spinal Tap. Although Spinal Tap had just enough humour on top to make it funny. This song is just dumb and boring. Nuff said.
Lyrically Rob interjects more than a few past song titles in to the album. References such as "Sad Wings", "Ram It Down", "Tyrant" etc. that points to the fact that Judas Priest has not forgotten how to make the metal we all know and love.
Probably the best thing about this record is the fact that it is predictable. Which like other great metal bands is just way metalheads like it, hard fast and oozing with ferocity!
Kinda lame that the record ends with a dud ("Lochness"). Still, 9 out of 10 tracks make this a metal masterpiece that any self-respecting metalhead will want to have in their collection. The Defenders of the Faith, after a long wait, are finally back to make our ears bleed!
Angel Of Retribution is available now via Amazon and Amazon UK.
You can view a full track listing in our database.
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