leg·end (l
j nd) n. One that inspires legends
or achieves legendary fame A story about mythical
or supernatural beings or events
star (stär)
n. An artistic performer
or athlete whose leading role or superior performance is acknowledged One who is highly celebrated
in a field or profession
Judas Priest is back with Angel of Retribution
a new studio album that shows us once again why they are metal legends!
note: A review of the bonus DVD was not possible since Epic and the
band's outside publicist did not answer a request for a review copy of
this album. A big thank you to the insider that hooked us up with the music,
because otherwise you would not be reading this review. In
the event that Epic or the publicist come through with the full CD/DVD
we will update this review.
Those
that sold their souls for a Priest reunion better head to the crossroads
because your prayers have been answered; the Priest is back screaming for
vengeance, ready to unleash their metal fury on the masses once more!
But with all the expectations and fan generated hype and excitement, does
the album live up to expectations? The simply answer is hell yes!
On Angel of Retribution, Judas Priest
resisted the temptation to try to redefine themselves among the newer metal
bands that they influenced. A trap that many a reunited band has fallen
into. After the exit of Halford, Judas Priest adopted a little more
aggressive sound with Ripper Owen, the only Priest fans that will be disappointed
with this album are the ones that wished for a continuation of that formula.
On the other hand, fans for all other eras will find similar ground here
ranging from Rocka Rolla to Painkiller. What makes Priest
work is the shared vision of the group. Take one significant piece away
and it just doesn't sound quite as powerful. All due respect to Ripper
but you can't replace a metal god.
Angel of Retribution has been described
as the conclusion to the 1976 concept album Sad Wings of Destiny
(my personal favorite JP album), so you will find a continuation of that
theme here. If there was a fumble on the band's part in this project,
it may have been trying to tie these two releases together because sequels
are hardly ever as good as the original and it presents an immediate bias
aside from the "reunion" hurdle. But taken on its own and ignoring
the Sad Wings connection, Angel returns Priest to their reign
of classic metal terror. You may find new bands that are heavier,
but none have that special spine throttling pairing of Halford and the
two guitar assault of KK Downing and Glenn Tipton, that adds up to something
uniquely Judas Priest.
It's always important to make a good first
impression and that's exactly what Halford and company do with the lead
off track "Judas Rising," a perfect metaphor for the band's blazing return.
This song is full throttled Priest at their best, driving rhythm, ripping
guitars and Halford's full-throated screams. All fears that the Priest
might have fallen from grace or failed to recapture their throne are erased
as this song spins in all its metal glory. The solo alone makes up
for years of nu metal sludge.
"Deal With The Devil" is probably the most
modern sounding song on this album, with a slight nod to the best elements
of Halford's Resurrection album, but it still captures that mid
career Priest vibe and the solo makes you yearn for days of yore when band's
weren't afraid to use their lead guitarists!
Some have slagged the first single "Revolution,"
and while it's not the strongest song on the album and a little bit of
departure in sound, it's still a strong fist pounding metal anthem.
"Worth Fighting For" revisits the prevailing mid tempo feel of Point
Of Entry, fans of that era of the band will probably embrace this track,
but fans of the heavier Priest will most likely press fast forward.
"Demonizer" is about power, from the heavy
machinegun drums to riffing guitars to Halford's screamin' vocals, this
song is probably the most divorced from classic Priest, falling more into
the Ripper era material. But "Wheels Of Fire," finds the band on
familiar ground with a metal anthem that screams of the band's most popular
releases in the early 80s. It's a straight ahead metal rocker in the tradition
of "You Got Another Things Coming".
The one area where you really feel that
this album attempts to be the conclusion to Sad Wings of Destiny,
is the beautifully executed ballad "Angel" which really does capture the
temperament of Wings. Halford's vocals ring in the same somber tone
as they did on "Epitaph" and "Dreamer Deceiver" and the guitars for the
most part have that classic tone. This was an ambitious move on the band's
part, which really paid off.
The band gets the blood flowing again with
"Hellrider" which has a classic fade in from the Wings era but without
the Halford scream leading the charge. But once the song kicks in you know
that by God, Priest is back! While the lyrics can be a bit cheesy,
the overall experience of Priest redeems that drawback. This is a
song to crank to 11 as you drive at full speed to a show on the upcoming
tour!
"Eulogy" slows things down again, once
more harkening back to Wings with the melancholy subtleness, which
acts more as segue to the next song than a stand-alone track. Speaking
of the next track, any other band but Judas Priest would be tarred and
feathered if they tried to pull off a song like "Lochness." But this is
Priest and they do prevail in the end. You can dismiss the cheesy lyrics
because the sum of the parts makes up an incredible whole. With a
Sabbath like driving riff setting the tone, the band deliver a truly epic
conclusion to the album with a song that clocks in at over 13 minutes long
and doesn't fail to please in classic Priest style. If there was
any doubt that Priest was back in full swing, those fears are cast aside
with this hypnotizing track.
Angel of Retribution isn't the best
album in the Judas Priest arsenal but it is worthy of the band's history
and an amazing accomplishment in 2005 where most bands would have pandered
to the current metal mainstream. But Priest learned that lesson with Turbo,
what you get with Angel of Retribution is ten tracks from a band
that pounded their name into metal history. The Priest is back and
Judas is rising once again!
More Info
Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
Label: Epic
Rating:
Tracks:
Judas Rising
Deal With The Devil
Revolution
Worth Fighting For
Demonizer
Wheels Of Fire
Angel
Hellrider
Eulogy
Lochness
Posted by rock rocks:
gay man or not, rob halford rocks and is one of the best singers in the world. i dont give a damn about his sexuality cos he knows how ta make good music and thats all that matters. ALL HAIL JUDAS PRIEST!
Posted by Massacre:
He may be gay, But I'm pretty sure he wouldn't go that far. I may Hate Gay men, but Halford Has My Respect
Posted by Massacre:
JC, HALFORD Never f#cked anyone!
Posted by JC:
Look, this is stupid, I mean to all of you homophobes. Rob Halford has gay. He has anal sex with guys. If you are christian it is a sin.
Now, in all honesty, I don't give a damn. I think Halford is a sweet old man, with the heart of a teenager and the voice of a god. He, along with Kennith Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, and Scott Travis has put out another amazing album becuase these people are talented musicians. That is what I have to say, thank you for your time.
Posted by Spaz:
Hey I noly spent 10 dollars to do my teacher! So if halford is comming out of the closet than I am to
Posted by Massacre:
Go back and listen to your pop carp and leave because your the FAGGOT! YA FAGGOT! PRIEST RULES AND WE KNOW IT! BUT YOU DON'T, THATS WHY YOU SUCK! THIS ALBUM KICKS ASS TO! BEST RETURN OF HALFORD EVER! SO SHUT UP AND GET A DATE PANSY!
Posted by Spaz:
Yeah, great.
A so-called "Heavy Metal" band headed by some bumjacking faggot. At least it proves that most of you metalheads are closet bumjackers anyway... Metal and Ass-worshipping don't mix. Judas Priest is GAY and that's all they ever were you pansy Faggots.
Posted by Massacre:
Thank you. NOW GET OUT YA BLOODY HOMIE OR HOMO.
Posted by I'm DA PIMP (POSER):
(sigh) damn, priest rules I guess.
Posted by Massacre:
Thank you for your kind and random words. Now excuse me while I go back working on my idea I was luaghing (evily) about. (evil laugh) those dogs are gonna get it now. PRIEST RULES. rule #1 always show respect for a band in this board after you say something that doesn't have to do with priest or other bands. like I did for example. Come on pimp poser let me hear it.
Posted by I'M DA PIMP:
I;m such a stupid fag. sorry dude I even made fun of yas and priest. Man How f*king stupid could I get. Totally stupid. I should just die of stupidity. My ma thinks Im gay for 10 years and still does. But I'm coming out of the closet now just like halfod did, but as fag idiot cause I am a fag idiot. Massacre Rocketman priest fans I leave you. And your right Hip Hop does suck and to tell you the truth. I'm not a pimp. I'm just a poser. A hip hop poser. A gang goser, gay hater poser, I'm a poser at everything.
Posted by Massacre:
hmmmm? (EVIL LAUGH)hehehe (IDEA)!
Posted by Massacre:
Man Shut up Alex (Rocketman)
Posted by ROCKETMAN:
OK Massacre, you better show some respect or I'll come over there and rip your f*cken head off. HIP HOP SUCKS, LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK! Happy now asswipe.
Posted by Massacre:
No No No. It's Hip Hop Suks, Leave Now and Never Come back. Say It Right A$$hole.
Posted by ROCKETMAN:
OK, I don't know what this kid was smoken but i'll just quit this conversation by saying,
HEAVY METAL IS LUCK AND HIP HOP SUCKS. I'm just saying Heavy metal is luck so i could make a rymthe, and it was the only word i could think of cause all other words are just you know.
Posted by Massacre:
Al... uh i mean ROCKETMAN Its lEAVE NOW AND NEVER cOME BACK. sTUPID CLONE.. UHH cLONEHEAD DUUU i mean, Oh $H1t!
Posted by ROCKETMAN:
Oh and this too. im da p.i.m.p andmyused chemical. Be Cool Nigga.
Posted by Rocketman:
Oh, and one more thing. HIP HOP SUKS. LEAVE NOW, AND NEVER RETURN. F*CK YOU.
Posted by ROCKETMAN:
Hello Metalmania Dudes. I am Rocketman. Anyway, I don't listen to Priest that often. But I know one thing about them. They're awsome. Hey guys, I got a question for ya, if you would to choose between Judas Priest and the team of, 50 Cent, Ying Yang twins, Damn Yankees and all the other crapass hopers, who would you choose/ Me, Priest.
Posted by GONOW:
I DA PIMP. HIP HOP SUKS. LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK!
Posted by Massacre:
AHH WHAT THE HELL. HIP HOP SUKS, LEAVE NOW AND NVER COME BACK!
Posted by F*CKLIFE:
CAN'T we say hip hop suks
Posted by mASSACRE:
YA, Everyone say what he said, LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK.
Posted by Antifag:
I don't like gay men. But, Halford is the only gay man I respect because is stlye in not gay (ecsape the tights) Is voise isn't gay and He rocks Harder than well, He Kicks ass. Keep saying he's Gay cause we don't care I DA PIMP. GO F*CK YOURSELF. MASSACRE'S RIGHT, DON'T GO COMING IN HERE AND TALKING $H!T. LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK ( Quate from LOTR 2).
Posted by Massacre:
OH YEAH GOD, UH THE KID WHO CALLED HIMSELF GOD THINKING THAT HE IS BUT HE'S NOT. THE REAL GOD IS COOL BUT YOUR A POSSER AND YOU HATE PRIEST AND YOU SUCK. GO BURN IN HELL AND CONSIDER YOURSELF AS THE DEVIL!
Posted by Massacre:
Beaner Shut the F*ck up and Leave. My Used Chemical I think you should fell Terrorfied Because your gonna get you f*cking ass whoop by alot of Priest fans that won't feel sorry but piss at that bull$h#t mouth of yours. Tue Used sux The Romance Chemial Sux and You as well sux. God Dammit All you Priest haters Must DIE! PRIEST FOR F*CKIN EVERR! ALL YOU F*CKING PRIEST ENEMIES GOT ANOTHER THING COMING! TRUST ME!
Posted by Massacre:
im da pimp leave drslonger and judas priest alone you F##cking metal hating rap CRAP F*ck. Don't be coming in this F##CKING BOARD AND START S##T TALKING. YOU LIKE TO $##T TALK? WILL GO EAT A PLATE OF SNOOP DOG $#!T. I HOPE YOU DIE! LEAVES US RIGHT F*cKING NOW! JUDAS PRIEST ROKS, HIP HOP SUX TON OF COX! I BET YOU F*Ck YOUR MA IN THE CLOSET!
Posted by Slayers of DeathRain:
I would give this album a half n half rateing. Songs like Hell Rider,Angel,demonizer, and Judas is riseing is what makes this album great. The other songs are ok but they are kind of leaning on the modren side of which realy Sucks my mother.
Just to look at a few realy kick a$$ bands and singers that turned ass high are Ozzy with down to earth, Metalica with St.Anger Etc Its just sad they are turning around and stabbing the sound that made them great just because some fags down on the conner dont like the sound that they are used to, they the greatest bands of all time have to change. No the f#@$ way.
Posted by HellWolf:
I am Impress , o god , i love Lochnes mucha i listen this song again and again and every song of this album is incredibal .. o god .. :)
Posted by Judas Savior:
You guys knocking preist are fags, if they are so crap how come th've been around for over 30 years, grow up guys nobody cares what you have to say.. Halford Is The Father Of Metal So What If HE Was Gay U Damn Homophobe, Thats his personal buisness im quite sure all gays rn't into pink n talk like p*ssy's i mean listen to him for crying out loud, AOR was an awesome album, im a fan of all of there stuff and this covers nearly all of the styles that the've had... Nu-Metal is gay...So Go F*ck youself...As for Priests Loyal Fan's ignor these guys there losers probly living in there parents basement with no life.. go listen to some Rap if you think ur so cool.. Take Care The Rest A Ya...
Posted by Ace:
I don't REALLY like this ablum, but "Angel" is an amazing ballad.
Posted by Sentinel:
My goodness, people, Judas Priest has more talent in any of their solos than all "nu-metal" bands combined. "AoR" is not the best album in their catalog, but it is great nonetheless, much better than the crap you listen to... and, no I was not born before 1970!
Posted by tweetypie:
IT'S ABOUT F***ING TIME ROB HALFORD CRACKED HIS WIP AND GOT BACK TOGETHER WITH THE BAND
Posted by my used chemical :
HELL YEAH! THE USED is the best band ever, JP isn't why do YOU like them! gimme a good reason why you do. i'll tell you one because their music is nothing but a waist of records and it also makes you want to wish they never existed, i mean pu*** a** metal heads waiste their headbangin' on this crap i fell sorry for ya'l
Posted by the beaner:
i like the used and my chemical romance and underoath and stun and atthedrivein and glassjaw and i forgot but i dont like judas priest they're too cheap and they suck
Posted by im da P.I.M.P.:
sounds to me that drslonger is trying to be my hoe well im still hiring, judas priest was and always will............SUCK!
and drslonger you can go and bone your mom
Posted by GOD:
This album is a piece of sh|t. The band should be ashamed.
Posted by drslonger:
priest will always rock and still produce better metal than most of the new bands today,, and the comments by im da pimp,, sounds like he is a closet fag
Posted by Moggie:
Antiguy hit it right on target. If you are an ol' headbanger like me who followed JP from British Steel and Sad Wings Of Destiny, this album is going to be a favourite. I cannot say enough good things about it. I must have played Judas Rising 10 times before going to track 2.
If you are younger and like Jugulator and Demolition (in fairness, good albums, but not classics), you are going to hate this album. This album is clearly for older JP fans like me.
Posted by im da P.I.M.P.:
HAHA THE SINGER FROM THIS BAND IS GAY AND WAS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF METAL HE CAN KISS MY A** I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIM AND FOR THE BAND AND TO ALL YOU P**** A** METAL HEADS YOU CAN GO AND STICK A CHEESE GRATOR UP YOUR GRANDMA'S A** AND LICK IT.
Posted by Sesquipedalian:
I'm not a Priest fan, but this is solid--a logical progression from 'Painkiller'. IMO, Maiden will always be the superior band.
Posted by Mad Dan:
Rob is a god, as with Maiden, without the all conquering front men these bands just don't function on the same legandery level.
Posted by Matt:
Eh, it's not my thing, but I suppose it should keep Priest's fans satisfied for a while.
