Angel of Retribution, in stores March 1, 2005, is the 16th studio album by Judas Priest in 28 years and features the return of original vocalist Rob Halford, last heard on 1990’s Painkiller.
Angel of Retribution, in stores March 1, 2005, is the 16th studio album by Judas Priest in 28 years and features the return of original vocalist Rob Halford, last heard on 1990’s Painkiller. Serious Priest fans will snap it up but I don't know if it will win over new listeners.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Will Thorp
It's funny how Marty Dodge likes to pin-point us as crooks for downloading a small fraction of AOR, then playing the short MP3 versions of the others already available on the sony website, but yet again if I could be a be loosr who writes reviews for a website I could get my own advance copy of AOR for free.
I'd like to repeat what a previous commenter already posted. Painkiller is a well recieved album by all dfenders, and lovers of metal alike. For him to say that Painkiller was another weak album just disproves his merit of writing a review as a so called Priest fan.
27 - Temple Stark
Are you saying Will you wouldn't like the chance to review it? Also can you point us to the page on Sony's Web site that offers downloads of Priest. I looked and was unable to find it. I want to hear what the fuss is all about. Thanks.
28 - Tom
You know, all you slamming Triniman are welcome to email Eric Olsen, the owner of Blogcritics, and become a critic yourself. Sincy you've all heard it, why not put what you seem to believe is your considerably better critical judgment on the line like Triniman?
I eagerly await reading your reviews - ones that don't just say "Dude, track 4 rocks!" Writing a review of the quality evidenced by Triniman's piece takes time and a lot of thought, and being a good critic involves stepping aside of your blind allegiance to a band. Can you do it? Step up and let's see what you've got.
29 - Nolan Lewis
Don't listen to the nerd who posted that lame review. Angel of retribution is absolute CLASS. It's the best Priest album in ages. Take it from the true Priest fans, THE PRIEST IS BACK BIG TIME. M/M/
30 - Marty Dodge
Best Priest album in ages...um...talk about not saying much.
Will: you feeling a little green (with envy) there mate?
31 - MetalWarrior
Having listened to the new Priest album about four times now. I can safely say that your review is pretty weak.
"Nostalgia act" Uh huh. They're just doing what they've always done: HEAVY METAL. Not this stuff that is vomited forth by the likes of SHADOWS FALL, etc.
Funny how a bunch of guys in their 50s are kicking the asses of metal bands half their age. The New Wave of American Heavy Metal is just nu-metal..with more screaming.
JUDAS PRIEST is back to show how TRUE METAL is made.
32 - JasonR
...well the review in this month's 'Classic (C)Rock' magazine gave it 3 out of 5 mainly due to the 'awful' 13 minute epic 'Lochness'. But otherwise it said it left off where 'Painkiller' finished.
As JP are one of my fave bands I must admit I am looking forward to hearing this album and at least unlike some other reunions (Motley Crue) they will have a new album out there rather than rehased hits packages.
Manowar - good band and remember 'All Men Play On Ten'!
33 - T.J.
I am not going to bash the reviewer but he does sound to have some bitterness/resentment towards Judas Priest. Then we each have our own perspective on things. The only song I have heard is Revolution. I personally think the song kicks total ass yet the reviewer gives it 2/5. I guess we have a different "perspective" on things.
All I can say is judge the CD for yourself and don't just give up on it due to a negative review. I plan on buying it the day it comes out myself just based on Revolution as well as their powerful Ozzfest performance I witnessed in Nashville. The fact that they were able to dominate the biggest event in Metal with some of the biggest names in metal from present and past just shows what a superior band of musicians they are and makes their new CD worth a listen.
34 - Eric Olsen
as Tom said earlier, this is a very fine review and it's below pointless to denigrate the review as a review because you don't agree with the conclusion. You are free to disagree with it, but make some sense
35 - Phillip Winn
Make some sense? Eric, come on -- these are Judas Priest fans!
;-)
36 - Eric Olsen
true, but that shouldn't be the death knell to one's logic
37 - little winky
What can I say??
This album will blow anyones mind. I don't understand why people say that it wont be popular in general because it could so easily be with the right marketing from Sony. It has so much potential.
When I first heard this album i was mildy dissappointed. I was expecting a Painkiller esque record, with all the fury and speed. So after hearing songs like 'Worth Fighting For' and 'Wheels of Fire' I was like WHAT! But it just flows so well after a few spins. It is in my opinion the best representation of Priest in 2005. Incredible, check Glenns' playing on songs like 'Deal With The Devil', 'Demonizer' and 'Hellrider'. Out of this world, he is surely one of the fastest most techinal players still around. And with KK Downing providing the rythm to Glenn's playing you are just blown away by the melody, like something off Defenders Of The Faith.
The weakest song on the album is Revolution in my opinion, because its too simple. Even 'Worth Fighting For' has 5 seconds of Dual-Guitar genius. Nevertheless, it fits well onto the first half of the record, which closes with the 5th track 'Demonizer'. A great song. Different to most Priest from the past, but one of a few tracks on the album with the Painkiller double-bass drumming throughout. The second half opens with the other slow-ish heavy song 'Wheels Of Fire', which sounds great. Then comes a gem of the ablum; ANGEL!! Amazing. A kind of balled not heard since the 70's, and without the synthesizers apparent throughtout the 80's, Angel is a unique Priest track and an excellent one to boot. The album then begins its early descent to closing, with 'Hellrider', a 6 minute epic with an awesome solo morphing into a spiralling closing riff. Track 9 is ideally a complete ripoff of Epitaph from 1976's Sad Wings Of Destiny, but it is done so unashamadly, with its fading into the closing track, it works very well. Now to the masterpiece. I always look forward to 'Lochness'. Its 13 minutes long, with a simple riff and meaningless lyrics, but its so epic and stuffed with melody in the bridge and Chorus how can it be overlooked? I love it. Its progressive in its build up, sort of like 'Turbo Lover', while sounding like somehthing out of the Ripper years. Not a bad thing, just not British sounding metal - more heavy and un-melodic guitars. Kind of like the guitar sound achieved on 'Cathedral Spires' on the 'Jugulator' album.
Buy it! Feb 28th Great Britain and March first United States. Its going to be metal album of the year
38 - bates
fuckin amazing! i love this album. it rules. judas priest are the greatest metal band on earth they are just so good. glenn tipton is the fastest player around today perhaps with the exception of paul gibson of racer x (ironically scott travis, drummer of priest, was formerly of racer x). tipp is a wanker. aires is a unique name and a good head giver. she lives in yorkshire, so if you want some good head go visit. buy the album, signed bates x x x xxxxx (i give good head too)
39 - tipp
I am called tom franklin and i want youre nob in my ass and 4 u to make me cum on youre testicles. Buy the album and i will give you better head than aires or we will do it together. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx tom franklin. bates is orgasmic in bed!!!!!!!!!!
40 - starr
i wrote a song for the new judas priest album, but it was rejected by fuckin ian hill (bass)! whats that about? i actually wrote it for rob halford in his late solo years but since he joined priest i thought theyd use it instead....
''i am the anal invader
i am the analator
i am the anal invader
might not fuck you now but he'll fuck you later" buy the album feb 28th gb
41 - Marty Dodge
Why did they include 'Lochness'? God is that song awful...at least they left it to last...
Manowar: the campest band in metal!
42 - frank
Deak is a n00b! classic times!
43 - BlindRock
I think that this review is very bad. This review is made by someone who don't really like Judas Priest at all. Someone that said that Painkiller is a weak album don't understand the meaning of HEAVY METAL !!!
Here is a positive review of this album : http://www.metal-temple.com/review.asp?id=804
Here is an interesting part of this review :
"Angel Of Retribution" according to the band members’ own words is the second (and final) part of 1976’s "Sad Wings Of Destiny" which, yeah as obvious as it can get, was sort of a "concept" kind of thing after all. So, 29 years later we have the angel on the cover artwork again...only this time he’s transformed into a steel, winged "angel of retribution", rising out of the burning ashes of mankind to make something known: You can be a Heavy Metal musician who started kicking ass in the late 60’s and still be around kicking butts some thirty-something years later!!!
"Judas Rising": Totally blew me off with the way it starts. You’re sitting there, wondering what this album may sound like and in comes a screaming guitar chord that transforms into a Halford scream, while the drums come smashing in. And I’m sitting there going "Holy fuck". This song’s got a really strong, epic Heavy Metal feeling. Rob Halford screaming his ass off, Travis holding a powerful rhythm with his drum kit, Hill doing his job and both guitars shredding (with some nice solos near the end). Note: Rob’s voice is in great shape!
"Deal With The Devil": Here we have a song which will probably remind most of you of "Made In Hell", from Halford’s "Resurrection" (2000) solo album. In what way? For sure the way it starts off and the general rhythm it holds throughout the entire track. Nevertheless, it’s not boring, not at all. I must admit that when I heard Halford’s high-pitched scream (twice) somewhere in the middle of the song, it sort of improved my overall impression on this song. A good song which will probably grow on you even more as time goes by.
"Revolution": Well, unfortunately "Angel Of Retribution" has its "thorns" too... Though it starts off with something you don’t really hear everyday - and that’s a bass opening by Ian Hill - along with a scream by Rob...it carries on with a rather cheesy (for J.P.) rhythm which sort of reminds me of Queen mixed with something which I don’t wanna find out what it is...I would totally dislike this song if it wasn’t for the bass in the beginning and Halford’s high-pitched screams here and there. Did I mention that this is the "radio-friendly" song of the album which was released as a Single too?
"Worth Fighting For": How many of you liked Judas Priest’s "Point Of Entry" (1981) album? I know that the answer might be "not many". Well, this song could have easily belonged on that album (with an "older" production of course, not this one and with less high-pitched vocals). Something like "Desert Plains" meets "Turning Circles"...but then again, I wish it was anything like the aforementioned songs....
"Demonizer": And after the downslide of two bad/mediocre songs, the album tunes your ears up a bit with "Demonizer". A song that lies somewhere in between "Painkiller" (1990) and "Jugulator" (1997). Very strong, very "sharp"-sounded, "Demonizer" is a classic bone-crushing Judas Priest song with its double drum bass drumming and Rob screaming his guts out. "Demonizer" though should have been followed by an equally strong track...(like "Hellrider" for example...)
"Wheels Of Fire": A track that’ll remind you a bit of "You’ve Got Another Thing Coming" ("Screaming For Vengeance", 1982) or maybe "Living After Midnight" ("British Steel", 1980). Pretty plain yet ok "Wheels Of Fire" will mostly be "adored" by the "exclusively" old-school J.P. fans. Nothing you’ve never heard of before...
"Angel": Now here’s one of the album’s highest points! This is one hell of an awesome heart-breaking Judas Priest ballad!!! Rob Halford accompanied by acoustic guitars throwing on a really sorrowful vocal performance which will touch even the "hardest rocks" and make you sigh (for someone else) while drowning in memories...Interesting how the song "inducts" the drums in it, halfway to completion and the song generally "lifts up" a bit yet still remains deeply melancholic. In my opinion "Angel" is one of this album’s highlights. Damn, I hadn’t heard a really good Metal ballad in ages...
"Hellrider": And now it’s time for my favorite song on this album! "Hellrider" is so "Painkiller"!!! You’ll get the fricking chills once you crank the volume up on this song!!! At first guitars...then the groovy drum-pounding rhythm and Halford singing "Here they come, these Gods of Steel!"...I think I passed out when I first heard this. I swear that even if the entire album sucked and there was just "Hellrider" on it...it would still be worth the money, undoubtedly! This song (plus "Judas Rising" and "Demonizer") is all the "Painkiller"-addicts could ever ask for! Fucking shreddingly great! The riff bridges, the refrain, the drums...!!!
"Eulogy": A small ballad that works as an intro for the album’s longest track, "Lochness". Very mystique - grey should I say, it only has a specific guitar riff playing behind Halford’s mellow/"thoughtful" vocal lines. A really calm yet sorrowful introduction to...
"Lochness": ...the band’s longest track ever (I think). Well, even if it’s not the longest J.P. song ever written, then it’s definitely among the longest ones! Final track for "Angel Of Retribution" and what a track! Heavy and doom-ish like you’ve never heard Judas Priest play before! And you know what? This rocks! It’s got the classic Heavy Metal vibe twisted with a really mid-tempo doom-ish feeling. The guitars drag you into the legend of the monster of Lochness while Halford tells the tale..."Lochness, confess, you’re terror of the deep...". This song is so awesome I’ve caught myself mumbling its lyrics everyday in whatever I’ve been up to! A guaranteed classic despite the long playing time. An "imperial" masterpiece by the Gods of Metal!
44 - morons...
well... if you want ballads... go elsewhere or go cry with today's emo fags. i can tell whoever wrote this is not a musician... and your beloved ballad "angel" is not acoustic. i love all these people who think they know music well... when they don't even know what instrument theyre listening to. and any time it's not bone crushing guitars... oh! it must be acoustic! hellrider, demonizer, deal with the devil and wheels of fire are the self-chose favorites of my fellow bandmates of 15+ years of musicianship. but then again, they listen to priest for heavy metal. maybe what you're looking for is Prince? what a waste of text the above review is ^^^
45 - Yanni
I really don't understand why the operator/owner of this blog even has a place to post "comments". It seems that while he says people are free to disagree with the review, he proceeds to insult those who disagree with the review as not making sense. Considering the harshness of the review and the passion of the true Judas Priest fans what exactly did they expect? Either eliminate the "comments" part of the review page or grow thicker skin.
46 - Ricardo
wow, man this priest album is great!!!! You are deaf man!!!!!! please clean up your ears because you need. Ypur review sucks large.
47 - mika
I think it is ok...I liked the CD's with Ripper better! Rob is sounding a but old and the lyrics are real lame!
48 - crucified
"posted by Eric Olsen on February 12, 2005 03:05 PM:
- as Tom said earlier, this is a very fine review and it's below pointless to denigrate the review as a review because you don't agree with the conclusion. You are free to disagree with it, but make some sense"
Reply: Most of the people that have a different opinion of AOR are making sense. There are a few that are really just too excited to have a computer that they have to type about anus and so forth. Being a mature adult I ignore it and just read the "meat" of the review and counter reviews. That's pretty easy for me to do.
"posted by Phillip Winn on February 14, 2005 12:12 PM:
Make some sense? Eric, come on -- these are Judas Priest fans!
;-)"
REPLY: And this I say to you, Does it not make one an equal to lower oneself to that of which it detests? The answer is yes. You have just made yourself look very transperent and amature. Thank you now I can place zero on your credibility.
...and as for Triniman let him speak for himself. He has yet address most of the speculation of his bias in question. I would love to see an HONEST list of his musical selections of good music.
Thank you again
~ the CRUCIFIED
49 - Gary Ray Goebel
I honestly believe that Judas Priest are only as good as their fans say that they are. They've had their time in the spotlight already. Thus, I believe now would be as good of a time as any for Judas Priest to retire... forever this time.
Their music just isn't as good as it used to be, and honestly, I prefer the album that were recorded with singer Ripper Owens.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne still kick butt, but as for Priest, I seriously doubt it. Though, I will buy their new album just so I can hear for myself what it sounds like.
50 - NIGHTCRAWLER
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I PRINTED OUT YOUR REVIEW AND PUT IT ON THE FLOOR FOR MY DOG TO DROP A HUGE STEAMING PILE OF CRAP ON. DROP DEAD AND BLOW YOUR GARBAGE REVIEW OUT YOUR ASS.
51 - Alex
I downloaded the album cause I couldnt wait (I'll be buying it of course, but I'm sort of broke at the moment) and it really is the best theyve released since SFV. There is some classic riffage, some killer solos, and robs voice sounds as great as ever. It is worlds apart from the stuff recorded with Ripper, much less "nu-metaly" and rockin. Lochness was probably the only song that was slightly dissapointing, i think maiden are pretty much the only band that can pull off 13 minute songs, but the rest are really great, they seem to have put a lot of effort to get some of thier old sound back. I really hope I get to see them play some of these songs live, as I think they will compliment the old songs well. Long live the metal gods!
52 - Krishna Kumar
One of shit reivew I had ever heard of. Man, every priest fan in the world know that this record rocks like all other Prist releases ... I have been hearing to this album over and over and everytime I listen these tracks sink into my bones deeper and deeper making me proud of being a Judas Priest for past 20 years.
Ignore this review and buy the album ... you will never regret it.
Krishna - India
53 - Marty Dodge
Well those of you who have resisted the illegal download route can go here to find out how to get it in streaming audio.
I am saddened to see the same level of idiocy in this thread as we get on some of the gangsta rap threads. You don't agree with this review but that does not mean you have act like a total arsehole towards the reviewer.
Can anyone here actually tell me that 'Lochness" is a good song?
I think this review is a little harsh: AoR is the best album JP has done since Painkiller. But its certainly not as good as SFV or British Steel. Too much of the music is lyrically twee and merely apes their past. For an excuse to tour in the original line-up, its a good stab.
54 - VOD
HOHO
55 - Glen Alexander
hey!!!! True priest fans. this cd rocks!!! the only song that does not slap me in the face, is locness. The rest of this shit friggin rocks!! I first became a priest fan in 1980, I have been very happy with 85% of the songs. Hey, contrary to what some people say rob and the boys are on the right track. I look happily to the future, because if they do this well after 15 years apart!!!!WELL I AM IMPRESSED!!!!!.
56 - moronthug
Now that I have listened to the Disc multiple times let me say this. The review still sucks and Sony does a shitty job getting the pre ordered discs in the mail. Maybe the author can go work for them. Both of them aren't worth a shit when it comes to delivering the goods.
57 - Tim Hall
>> I am saddened to see the same level of idiocy in this thread as we get on some of the gangsta rap threads. You don't agree with this review but that does not mean you have act like a total arsehole towards the reviewer.
This thread demonstrates the sad and regrettable truth that a small but significant percentage of metal fans are complete and utter morons.
58 - Eric Alexander
I have read some shitty fucking reviews before, but have half of you poeple forgot what Priest was about in the first place? Priest is about hard driving, head banging, pulse driving, cock stiffing metal. Something hard and fast to bang your bitch too. But, you lame asses only want to pick out the lyrics. If you want to pick on a band for fucking lyrics have you bought a "Craptallica" A.K.A "Metallica" c.d. lately??? If you haven't noticed most of the songs on Retribution were written for Ripper, and only a true Priest fan could have recognized that. The crappy lyrics of Jugulater bleed over to Retribution purely because of K.K. and Glenn. If you take a close look at all of Rob's solo efforts the song writting is second to none in metal, which were all written by Rob. I cant believe any true Priest fan can't pull out old cds and see where the song writing talent came from. Didnt you ever read the insert to see who wrote it all? Leave the lyrics to Rob and the music to K.K. and Glenn. And all of you who say this album sucks are back stabbing cunts and are not true Judus Priest fans. You belly crawling scum dont even deserve to have this cd in you collection or any other Metal for that matter, except for I will give you the crappiest metal band of all time now Craptalica. I hope all you drunk metal, none knowing mother fuckers choke on your own vomit, if you cant live and listen like a true metal fan, atleast I will hope you die like one.
59 - Tressa
Look I am not a Judas Priest fan, But, one thing I can say for sure, the hard driving music behind this ablum is harder then most put out of lately by other metla bands, I live with 2 die hard Priest fans from long ago and have heard every song from every album ever put out by Priest. I love them for the fact they have yet to give up on who they are and what they want from thier music. unlike the sell outs of say uhmmm..METALLICA. Of who I was a fan of until "The Black Album". now dont dump on me but I cant stand the fact that some bands go from what got them into music and what they loved to start, to some shitty half-ass just wanting to make thier fucking money shit. Unlike Priest which has stuck to what they started with and have been driving it hard for over 30 years. I cant even listen to the new "metal" bands out. They are either not true metal, but the bubble gum take on it, or they just scream uncoherrently. Which is just sad..If you want to be a singer then fucking sing, dont just scream at me. As far as Preist goes I have to bow to them for sticking with who they are, respect to the upmost for the band that never sold out!
60 - MIKE WILSON
THE NEW PRIEST ALBUM IS DEFINITELY WEAK. LOCHNESS IS HORRIBLE AND THE BALLAD ANGEL IS NOT EVEN A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A BALLAD. BUT THE OTHER 8 SONGS ARE PRETTY GOOD. IT IS WORTH BUYING. BUT PLEASE NO MORE MANOWAR REFERENCES. MANOWAR SUCKS.
61 - STEVE KAMAKO
Mike Wilson definitely knows the truth. Manowar and Metallica both suck the big donkey. Iron Maiden is the best band there has ever been and ever will be. The new Judas Priest is decent but could have been better.
62 - Joe Pinto
Another great album by the Priest Machine. Sure Angel and Lochness are weak but Judas Rising, Demonizer, and the rest are great songs. Yes Metallica really sucks bad. Why did Dimebag die when a piece of crap like Lars Scrawnass is still around running his scabby mouth. Next week we will be blessed with another great Black Label Society album. Go Buy it. Iron Maiden does rule.
63 - Triniman
I paid $29.99 for my special edition copy of AoR,with the bonus DVD. It was difficult to find,actually, with one store getting only one special edition while my regular store hadn't received their shipment yet. Still another store had only one copy of the special edition, which I now have. And they warned that it's actually difficult to
re-order the limited editions.
I trust all the true Priest fans out there have or soon will, buy the AoR +DVD special edition, even if they have downloaded AoR already.
Beware of the DualDisc version. I wrote an article about how several electronics companies are advising their customers to avoid buying DualDiscs.
Read the article here:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/02/10/010724.p
hp
The 40-minute documentry "Reunited" has snippets of the seven live tracks that follow the documentry.
The live tracks recall how timeless Priest are.
Sure, they are in their 50's but they have such a huge catalogue of great material, and arguably the biggest collection of fans of any metal band in the world. It doesn't really matter to me if Priest are at their peak or not...I just want to see them tour and tour and tour.
Regarding the 1990 album Painkiller, which I described as "weak", I really like 5 of the ten songs: Painkiller,All Guns Blazing, Metal Meltdown, Night Crawler, and A Touch of Evil. One Shot At Glory isn't bad. Five tracks out of ten constitues good but not great to me, compared to what Priest have given us in the past. I take back calling Painkiller a weak album.
I tried to edit my AoR review, but couldn't.
Instead of calling it one of the weakest Priest albums ever, I would say it is their best since Painkiller and second best since Defenders (Painkiller being a tad better than AoR.) But overall, I
believe they have many better albums: 1976's Sad Wings to and including 1984's Defenders, with the exception of 1981's Point of Entry. That's 7 albums. If you include Painkiller, then you have 8
better albums.
Some people consider Jugulator and Demolition to be "masterpieces" (read the Priest fans' reviews on Amazon.com if you don't believe me), but I'm not
one of them. Who's right? WHO CARES? I'm not going to rain on someone's parade if they totally love music that I'm not into as much. I'm not too keen on their output during the second half of their career, although they have recorded some absolute gems post-Defender.
Does anyone really think that the post-Defenders albums constitute the bulk of Priest's best material? If you think that way, good for you. More power to you.
I welcome reading all comments, especially the ones from people who see things from a different perspective and are prepared to publically explain their opinion. It's cool to disagree partially or totally, but to make things interesting for the rest of us, say WHY you disagree. You don't add much to the
discussion if you just say "the album is great!" and "your review sucks!" Articulate why you think the album is great. Defend your point of view.
Yeah, we all know that Priest are the godfathers of metal (or as KK says in the Reunited documentry, Sabbath were described as being "heavy" while Priest were desribed as being "metal." I've met
them, too, and that was something I proudly recount to all Priest fans I come across.
I'm pleased to see some really good comments. That's exactly what I was hoping for, even if you totally disagreed with me.
My responses to the comments:
3 - Tom, glad you thought the album is a milestone in metal. Care to explain why you feel this way?
5 - Marty, I do believe people will want to hear several tracks from the album on tour(and they will) but the casual fans who won't buy the album will want to hear the songs that made them famous. And, I'm still predicting a live CD and DVD set from them next year!
9 - Will. I thought the album was a tad less good than Painkiller, but it's obviously not easy for any band to write nothing but great material. I'm
sure they will be brilliant on tour, though.
10 - Mega, hopefully you bought your copy with the DVD. I haven't warmed up to Revolution, and I wonder why they didn't pick a different song as the lead single.
14 - Stephen, I have retracked my comment that it is one of their weakest albums ever. I still don't think it is great, though, with only four songs that I like. And I've listened to it many, many times. I'm not too crazy about "Lochness", but I agree with you that "Angel" is terrific. It would be cool if they won a Grammy for it. AoR should be seens as one of the top metal/rock albums of their year simply because Priest with Halford are so much better than just about anyone else. I enjoyed your comments.
15 - Captain Vallo, Priest are actually a laid back and fun bunch, as you'll see when you watch the documentry "Reunited." I believe KK commented that they don't take themselves too seriously anymore. I can understand why: they have long ago solidified their reputation as one of the two most influential bands in metal of all time, along with Black Sabbath. Okay, one of the top three with Maiden in there, too.
16 - Will Thorp. Dude, I didn't say "worst priest album ever." And I have retracted my statement that caused you to take offense. I'm still not as
impresed with it as you are, though. To each his own.
20 - Crucified. Clearly, I am a huge Priest fan. I have also explained why I thought Painkiller wasn't as good as what some others thought. Still,
there are some killer tracks on Painkiller, just not enough for me to say that it is a great album.
I'm not sure I understood what you meant when you said,
"To us hardcore fans we can list all of them equaly good. ..we are not sheep that will eat anything that Priest puts out for the sake that that's what is now available from them, they know it has to
meet the standards of their peers and fans."
I agree with you that some Priest fans will not support everything that they put out. I don't care for the Ripper studio albums. Are you saying though, that as a hardcore fan, you consider all
the Priest albums to be "equally good"? I disagree about them all being "equally good" as some are better than others, in my opinion, but I will say that if you're a serious Priest fan like I am, you have to own all their albums...even Rocka Rolla.
22- Hurricane, I was saying that Manowar's "Wheels of Fire" is far superior to the Priest's "Wheels of
Fire", even though the two are not the same song. I was also making the point that Priest have influenced Manowar. Yes, Manowar are a over-the-top, but I like some of their early recordings
and especially "Wheels of Fire" from 1988's Kings of Metal.
24 - Kevin, I have always believed that if someone is interested in a cd, DVD, book or whatever, that they should buy it and decide for themselves how great it is, regardless of what anyone else says. AoR has material that will appeal to a wide range of Priest fans, agreed. Will it win over fickle new fans? Time will tell.
25- Jon. Glad you think AoR is bloody great. I see "Lochness" as a bit of an experiment that maybe shows Priest are willing to take some chances (not that we think they never take chances), but it doesn't do much for me. Hopefully, you bought the special edition with the DVD.
26 - Will Thorp. Painkiller was a tad disappointing for me, but in retrospect, it's clearly not a weak album. But, it's not great to me, either. Two more
strong tracks would have made it great. I was wrong to call it weak.
28 - Tom. Good comments. Discussion always stems from people saying why they liked or disliked something, rather than just saying it rules or sucks. Some people have posted really good comments, though.
31 - Metal Warrior. Uh, yes, it's Priest doing what they've always done - heavy metal. Do you think it's a really strong album or are you just happy to hear another Priest album? You didn't
quite explain your thoughts about the album. I'm also not too crazy about nu-metal.
32 _ Jason. All Men Play on 10, indeed! Does it pick off where Painkiller finished? Yes, to a certain extent. But that comment alone doesn't say a whole lot, though. Buy the album and decide for yourself.
33 - T.J., we definitely differ on our views of "Revolution" but I agree with your belief that people should buy the CD and decide for themselves. I'm not all surprised that they would dominate at Ozzfest. They are fine musicians and have so many great songs at their disposal.
43 - Blind Rock. I made a mistake describing Painkiller as being weak. It's a good album but not the great album I was hoping for after the mediocre Ram It Down. Two more strong songs would have made it great, IMHO.
Excellent review, by the way. I don't agree with all of it. You liked some songs that I didn't care for, but we both liked "Hellrider", "Angel" and
"Judas Rising." I still think "Judas Rising" should have been the first single. I wasn't crazy about "Lochness", but obviously some commenters liked it. An "imprerial" masterpiece"? It will be
interesting to see if they play this track live.
45. Vanni - Comments are always better when people say why they liked or disliked something. Otherwise, they are not all that interesting, usually. I wonder if you think "true Priest fans"
love all their studio recordings. In my opinon, true Priest fans should own all their recording, including this one, but I can't see everyone loving all their albums. Some will, though.
47. Mika, I honestly don't listen to the Ripper recordings anymore. The tracks he recorded with Iced Earth are great, though.
48. Crucified, excellent comments. Just because people are Priest fans does not mean that I expect only shallow or idiotic comments. To believe that is to stereotype Priest fans and I for one, can't do that. Many of us are very passionate about Priest and I am one of them, although I was more nuts about them when I was younger. Still, I expect
to buy their future albums and see them on tour.
My musical tastes are all over the place.
49. Gary, I hope Priest stick around for a while yet. I can't think of any other metal band that I'd rather see on tour at the moment. You say you
prefer the album they recorded with Ripper. Which one, Jugulator or Demolition? I take it you weren't refering to one of the two concert albums they made with Ripper.
52. Krishna, yes the CD rocks. Did you see the bonus DVD? Everyone who is curious about this album should just spend the money to buy it and decide
for themselves how cool it is. I wonder if Priest have ever played in India. They obviously have fans there.
53. - Marty, we've had some good comments, too, so all is not lost. I've enjoyed the comments that explain their point of view. Yes, I made a harsh
comment that I have retracted. I admit I made a mistake. Will "Lochness" get played on tour? That is the question.
55- Glen Alexander. Glad you're impressed. Rock on!
57. Tim Hall. Tim, I think some people enjoy the ability to post comments easily on the Internet without stopping to think about defending their opinion with effort - their loss. I would say that there are morons in all walks of life. In my life, I have known many, many cool, articulate and intelligent
metal fans so I would never suggest that a lot of metal fans are morons. And, I'm not saying that you suggested this, either. We've just seen lots of
comments with a lack of thought or effort behind them.
58. Eric Alexander - I'm not so sure that the songs on AoR were written with Ripper in mind. In the "Reunited" documentary, they talk about getting
together to begin writing songs with Halford. Yes, there's a lot of lousy lyrics in metal, and all others genres of music, too. I usually don't care too much about poor lyrics,though so long as the music rocks! But, on AoR,only four of tracks do it for me.
You say Priest have never sold out. I'm not disagreeing with you, but a lot of fans thought Turbo was Priest selling out. I saw them on that tour,and of course, they were absolutely superb.
60. Mike Wilson. Mike, I like "Angel", actually and I tend to agree with you about "Lochness."
Manowar have their fans, but they are laughed at by a lot of people for being so cartoonish and for having such a serious image. It's all an angle, of
course, to get them notoriety and attention. I've long lost interest in them, save for a few songs.
61. Steve Kamako - I used to be a huge Metallica fan. I met them and had my picture taken with them backstage once. To me, they were refreshing and brilliant and they brought thrash metal to the forefront in the 80's. Then, I lost interest in them as they released albums that I didn't enjoy much. James Hetfield is one of the coolest guys in
all of rock and I will treasure the few moments I had to speak with him backstage on the ...And Justic tour (wasn't crazy about that album, by the
way.)
I also love Iron Maiden, althoguh I lost interest in them quite a bit, in the 90s. I also met them and have seen them a few times. Rob Halford was
asked what he thought about them as competition as Maiden became very popular in the 80's. He was quite complimentary in his remarks towards them, as you would expect from class act like Halford.
64 - JasonR
...well I like it and it is a classic Priest album in the style of 'Painkiller'. The epic track 'Loch Ness' is not as bad as I feared although the lyrics hardly create an atmosphere of menace!
The only downside is 'spot the past song title' in the lyrics. I've heard name checks for 'The Sentinal', 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' and 'Painkiller' so far. Manowar are another band who did this on their last couple of albums.
Now Manowar and Judas Priest on the same bill that would be a heavenly gig :)
65 - Julie Loosey
Dude do you have nothing better to do than spend 8 hours commenting on everyone's comments. You losers need to stop living in your parents basements and realize that the Ramones and Iron Maiden are the greatest. Manowar and Metallica take turns doing each other in the fudge tunnel. Mike Wilson is right you losers all should go suck Fleabag Lars Loserfuck.
66 - Eric Olsen
wow T-man, that was a monumental effort of comment response - you are to be commended
67 - TDavid
Couldn't break away from the office on Tuesday so picked this one up last night and it's like Christmas in March!
68 - Marty Dodge
Manowar...um...metal for the repressed? Is there any metal band that is as camp?
I think the last reunion album from Iron Maiden is quite a bit better than AoR. However, JP have produced a decent metal album that is far better than anything they have released since Painkiller.
An interesting question is the following: Which do you lot think is better: the albums by JP with Ripper or the ones by Iron Maiden with Blaze Bailey?
69 - TDavid
BTW, what's with some of the Priest bashing in this thread? LOL
If you don't like metal then you aren't going to appreciate Priest either in the 70's, 80's or today. The 90's, unfortunately, were largely forgettable for most rock acts, but I'm encouraged by this reunion and the resurgence of rock to replace the large volume of bile produced in the 90's. I, for one, am grateful to see -- and hear -- that whatever crawled up Halford's ass that caused him to go on that miserable Fight sidetrack has been aborted.
Priest was awesome at Ozzfest and they can play the hell out of the old stuff. I don't care if they release albums as an excuse to go out on tour, because Priest is at their best as a live band -- always have been.
(Damn, I'm starting to sound like that crazy Madonna fan with my nearly undying loyalty to an artist)
Marty, I don't know yet if Iron Maiden's last album is better than AoR, but I think Maiden was a little too "safe" and predictable with their last release; none of their songs totally gripped me. A solid album, yes, but I listened to it for a couple weeks and haven't really listened to it since. I think with all the guitarists they have (three of them, yes?) they could have been much more creative. Instead, we get basically the same thumping bass and metal story-telling that hasn't changed since Piece of Mind.
There's a couple tracks on AoR which seem like they have some staying power, but only time will tell there. I wish they had done more than just lyrically paying homage to classic songs and albums, they should have mixed in some of the riffs instead. Yeah, it might have been cheesy, but I'm not sure a 13+ minute song about the Lochness Monster is any less cheesy.
Much too early for me to compare AoR to Dance of Death, though. I like both bands and refuse to get into the tired Maiden vs. Priest debate, however I'm willing to compare albums for each band.
I will say this, though, AoR is a ton better than Ripper's last release with Priest, Demolition. Heck, on a first even cursory listen AoR is easily as good as if not better than anything ever produced during the Ripper era.
Time to season this badboy!
70 - JasonR
...Ripper Owen era Priest or Blaze era Maiden? Err neither thanks :)
Never have rated Blaze as a singer - pub rock is about his level.
Ripper Owens is good (check out the last Iced Earth album) but he was never a match for Halford. Like many bands they are defined by their singer and Priest fans are never really going to accept anyone but Halford.
Manowar camp metal? Surely they are the kings of panto metal! Love the band really and at least they believe in what they do & put on a damn fine live show.
71 - Masterminjd
Eric Olsen said :
You are free to disagree with it, but make some sense
So Triniman makes any senses when he says that Judas Priest has been around for 28 years? As if it wasn't that they celebrated 30 years in the recording industry this summer (2004 - Metalogy Boxset- 30 years anniversary)!!!!!! Did he bother to go and see the show (they played all over the world so this was not an issue, except for Japan) when they clearly said "30 FUCKING YEARS!!"????!!!!
So this album is the 16th studio album by Judas Priest?
Hmmmm, let's see:
1) 1974 - Rocka Rolla
2) 1976 - Sad Wings Of Destiny
3) 1977 - Sin after Sin
4) 1978 - Stained Class
5) 1978 - Killing Machine
6) 1980 - British Steel
7) 1981 - Point Of Entry
8) 1982 - Screaming ....
9) 1984 - Defenders ....
10) 1986 - Turbo
11) 1988 - Ram It Down
12) 1990 - Painkiller
13) 1997 - Jugulator
14) 2001 - Demolition
15) 2005 - Angel Of Retribution
15 albums INCLUDING AoR!!!
THIS GUY MAKES SENSE!
I doubt if he has all of the albums....Maybe he was left behind after Defenders?
Maybe if you listen to Painkiller a second time on the mp3s you downloaded this week, you'll come to like it more..
About Lochness. I can see that it may be considered a "meaningless" track by some. But this track really DOOMS! If you like doom/sabbathy music (Double O era) you are certain to love this track. It flows greatly and has some great mealodies in the back (just check out the bluesy solo of the outro)....
Moreover, this album has the BEST SOLOS recorded since Painkiller, hands down. They are meaningfull, diverse, screaming, done with ultimate technique by the gods themselves while at the same time being absolutely timeless classic Priest. The solos at least are classic Priest. Noone can deny that, for they must be deaf, like a guy said in his commentary before.
Revolution starts off with a kind of disturbing tune and has some weak lyrics but otherwise it's a great anthemic track that KICKS ASS live. Just check out the reviews for their first performances in Scandinavia. And Priest is about playing live, remember?
So you've got to have tracks that have bonecrushing live potential. This is understandable and pretty cool too.
Just buy this album and you'll never regret it.
72 - Billi
So what i can say that i´m hard-core fan of judas priest... but WTF how coulc they say that this is the best album of theis career??????? This album belongs to year 1989 after Ram it Down and befor Painkiller cuz this album remainds me both of this album bud the power of both was disapeared by someone ...
73 - Triniman
Mastermind, I stand corrected.
Some people consider Hell Bent For Leather (1979) and Killing Machine (1978), the latter released in the UK, to be different releases, although they differ by the title and year released.
I should have counted them as one.
You are correct that Metalogy celebrates 30 years since Rocka Rolla. 2005 is the 31st year that they have been releasing recordings. Priest haven't played my area since 1986, so no, I didn't see them on the tour to support Metalogy.
Priest were formed in 1971, so they would be turning 34 this year.
We disagree about "Lochness." Time will tell if they play it live, or drop it from sight. I also really can't get into "Revolution." I think their other anthems are far superior. Maybe it kills live, though.
74 - Triniman
AoR is now ranked 34th in sales at Amazon.com and has apparently already sold 70,000 copies, with 30,000 in Japan alone.
There are almost 60 reviews of AoR on Amazon.com and they are overwhelmingly positive. And some of them are well written. Go read them!
Still, there are some dissenters and some of them have coincidentally agree exactly with my criticisms and my views on the tracks.
75 - NC17z
Angel of Retroo to me is a rip... Melodicly... There is a major tie between what Rob was doing with Johny 5 from Manson... He was the git player on 2/Two.. for those of u Rob fans get it. It is the bomb... I can't find my CD of 2 at this time but beleive me I will find it and then rip the crap out of it becaus I know that the chourus is a rip from one of manson's last two cd's. Love'em all however, its just something I've got to know... the melody is a rip in the chorus... I mean like a ILEGALL Rip... unless everyone is still on good terms with each other... Manson took Johny 5 from 2 and placed him the band way back when in order to replace like Ginger Fish or who ever the frick was playing on that Antichrist/Heroin Drip Album... God Bless Trent for being Mr. Mom during that Project... However, I know I've heard the melody... Manson if your out there let me know it's me NC17z the hacker that broke into your email and had my way with your photos of UmpaLumpas... Bad rap dude, What was he thinking, Depp? Nahhh... Manson... The frickin book was about "TEMPTATION" and you are the only person in the world today that express adaptations of temptation on paper... you writing fool... I hope to god Manson gets this... For all of you out there, Manson will be one of the worlds greatest entertainers that pushed the envelope to the nth degree... He deserves more respect than Gahndi or say (first thing that comes to mind) lets say Uma, Brad Titt, and Martha... I cant' wait for the next word, lyric, or frickin note this guy comes up with next... Thanks for being my favorite ROCK STAR. Superman........