The stage is illuminated in an eerie, dark blue haze as an ominous drone pumps out of the speakers. The crowd dizzily anticipates the first sign of a priest, as a giant, roving "electric eye" stalks the crowd from high above center stage. Without warning the drone is overpowered by the twin guitar leads known as "The Hellion", which eventually climaxes into the only follow on possible, "Electric Eye".
Perched high above the drum kit, dressed in a full length, metal-studded, black leather jacket, the head priest appropriately greets his worshippers with "Up here in space, I'm looking down on you!". It's like I have just been transported back in time to that glorious night in 1982, when the World Vengeance tour swept through my town, and I witnessed one of the greatest metal concerts in history.
Everything is in place. The magnificent twin guitar attack of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing; Ian Hill's pummeling bass lines; the same 70s-era hair styles and biker attire, and the massive Spinal Tap stage show is as familiar as the first time I saw them. The metal god himself, Rob Halford, is back in charge after a 12-year absence, delivering the same punishing vocals as before. The only new piece of the puzzle is drummer Scott Travis who took over the kit in 1990, just in time for the excellent Painkiller album.
The last time I saw Judas Priest was on 2002's Live In London concert DVD, when a young Tim "Ripper" Owens was still the man in front. It was clear that this aging band could still play their collective asses off, and Owens was about the best Halford replacement they could have ever hoped for. But there was something missing. The heart and soul of the band was dormant, and you could feel it in the air. With Halford now back in front, that soul has been reawakened, and the Priest are rejuvenated.
Halford's reunion with the band kicked off dramatically when Judas Priest upstaged Black Sabbath on nearly every night of the 2004 Ozzfest tour. Angel Of Retribution was released early the following year, and a headlining world tour commenced shortly after. Rising In the East is a document of their May 18th, 2005 show at the Tokyo Budokan, as they paid back the worshiping Japanese fans who graciously let them be Unleashed In The East 26 years prior.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
Great review. Fans can look forward to the 1982 concert DVD that was previously released with the boxed set. The new album is supposed to be a concept album about Nostradamus.
I used to think of Priest as being like the Rolling Stones, the biggest band in their genre but unlike the Stones who can still pack 'em in, Priest play to less than half of what newer bands like SOD play to.
2 - Paul Roy
Thanks Triniman. It will be interesting to watch the '82 concert DVD since I was actually there.