11/1: REPORT FROM JUDAS PRIEST IN FLORIDA

Just back from hosting Judas Priest in Florida at the Hard Rock and seeing them live for the first time on this tour. After the Epitaph tour many thought we would never see Priest again as they kind of announced a retirement, but thankfully all that changed with the arrival of the bands new album and current tour. Whenever a band has the years on them like Priest does most fans worry, and with good reason, cracks might start to show in their ability to perform. We have seen many stay too long at the party and just not be what they once were. I can honestly say Priest do not fall into that category. Priest, and in particular Rob Halford, truly were in top form. Much has been made recently among some fans about Rob’s voice and questioning if he can still go grab the high notes and screams. Much of the concern came from his recent back and hernia operations and his vocal being in a slightly lower register on some recent recordings. Well I am proud to report that live Rob is still very much the metal God and nailed everything Thursday night, maybe better than he has in years. He is singing and moving well on stage, likely due to being healthy and out of pain from past ailments. Beyond The Realms Of Death, Victim Of Changes, Devils Child, just nailed it all! The entire band sounded great and rocked a set featuring four new songs and a bunch of hits and deep tracks. I also must say the new material really came alive on stage. I do like the new album but at times the production can make it feel a little reserved in it’s attack. Live the songs really jumped out and took on new life. Really enjoyed hearing the new material with this energy and punch on stage. Had a chance to see most of the guys before the show and all were in great spirits and seem to be enjoying the tour. They continue in the US for a bit longer before going to Europe. I had Glenn on my radio show Monday and he was unsure how much longer Priest would continue. He also said it was unlikely they would do some sort of proper farewell tour or show, preferring to just drift away. So be sure to see this iconic band while you still can since nobody knows how much longer they will be doing it. To me after Sabbath, Priest is the most important band in metal history, and it was great to see and hear them sounding so good still. Long live the Metal Gods! Halford will call into my show Monday on SiriusXM.

47 Responses

  1. Perhaps my assessment of the current state of Priest is nitpicky. All of your comments regarding Rob’s current performance have to be qualified. In other words, adjustments were made to accommodate him grabbing those notes, tunings lower, tempos slightly slower. On the one hand, this does not fulfill the Priest axiom, total precision without compromise, an intensity which exceeds the normative levels in rock and roll. On the other, I should be grateful that they had the sense to make these adjustments which facilitate the best possible net result. It’s a paradox. The current Priest is a contradiction of the Priest axiom itself. I am left only to ponder if I should let this nullify the entire state of current Priest, or, if I should just enjoy the fact that the guys are still incredibly talented even at a lesser capacity, the methods which they employ to pick up the slack, a testament to stone cold professionalism not found elsewhere. This is a tough sell for me. But I do appreciate that Rob has gotten himself in the fighting shape he’s in. I know that this took an extra bit of dedication, that he is pushing himself harder, and I am glad you brought his physical health issues to light. I was not aware of these. I think that for Rob, at this stage as well, it takes him a few weeks into the tour before he gets into the songs again. You said the production of the new album makes it feel a little reserved in its attack. An astute observation of the protooled, autotuned state of music. So, thanks Eddie, maybe I will check out Rob and the boys on this tour. The one thing I always loved about Priest, is their humanity in pushing themselves harder than other groups. It would be cool to see them do this at this stage. So then, perhaps the axiom of Priest is the effort, and not necessarily the net result. It’s the effort itself.

    2. Well said Shannon. Personally, I don’t hold anything against them for making some adjustments, like tuning down a bit. Lots of bands do this, it’s usually just a half step down – maybe a whole step in some cases, but it’s usually not drastic. Just enough to make it a little easier for the singer to hit his marks night after night (though some bands do it to sound “heavier”). As long as everyone’s on the same page it still sounds “right”. And, for guys like Priest where more than half the band officially qualify as senior citizens, I’m willing to allow some concessions for age. They may be super, but they’re not super human, it’s just a reality that we all have to face at some point. Priest (and to some extent Sabbath) are really the first metal bands to reach this point – I can’t think of anyone else who has gone into this stage of their lives playing music like this. There may be less energy in the performance now (Ritchie excluded), but they don’t “suck”.

    3. Ms Metalmania, Please do your research ma’am. Priest is a fine band but you are missing the point, missy. Get back to us after you see your first show. There are discount tix available for u at your local metal shop. Good luck.

    1. Steel Panther sucks! They will return to weho house band status after this fantasy tour ends. They are garbage.

    2. Dana, why hasn’t this guy’s IP been blocked yet? He just keeps changing his name. His attacks on everyone are unnecessary.

      Anyway, I hate to break it to you, but SP has been doing a hell of a lot better than Priest the past few years. They were even on the (outstanding) bill at Wacken this year. They are always in high demand. And they put on a fun show every time.

    3. DC,

      I will look into it and see if the IP appears again.

      As for Steel Panther, again, to each their own. Please do not take offense to this comment, as it is not intended to sound that way. But, I would never presume to compare a parody band to a legitimate iconic classic band who has been around for decades. They aren’t even in the same realm, let alone the same category. If you want make a fair comparison, contrast them with Spinal Tap, now that is a much more level playing field.

      D 🙂

    5. High Demand? They are a club act that is a joke. After this pitiful tour performance they will be back where they belong: In the garage.

  4. Steel Panther is the reason I did not see Priest! Anybody who has heard their music like me must be thinking what the f@#$ was priest thinking. I love priest but at this point you are going to have to bring a band with you that is not a joke or you will not get me out of the house! I can make a new hobby of picking on steel panther! Hahaha

    1. Please forgive me for saying this, but I agree with you 100% Shawn. They should have had a more “legitimate” opening act and not a parody.

      D 🙂

    2. I saw them once at House of Blues in Hollywood in 2011…they played four songs in over an hour. Lots of starting and stopping, lots of pulling underage girls (in defense of the band, they probably didn’t know they were 16, one of their friends told me after…)onstage to applause, and then going Mr. Hyde on them and insulting them….I don’t feel comfortable repeating it on here. But, they opened with an original song, and it was killer. An excellent metal track, I didn’t pay attention to what the lyrics were. But, after that experience, I said, “never again.”

    3. That makes no sense who cares who is the opening act …..I love Priest so Steel Panther opening to me meant I will stay in the bar a little longer till Priest comes on..that’s it!

      Go see icons like this any time you can

    4. Absolutely Gerry, JP is who we came to see, opening “act” doesn’t matter! Hey, where’s Louis? 😉

    5. I saw Priest open for Zeppelin. Saw Maiden open for Priest. Saw GnR open for Maiden.The opening act should always matter. Even the Trunk has admitted that this was a bad call by the Priest. Panther is a vulgar piece of crap. They will never be more than a scrub tribute caliber garbage act.

    6. That’s my point when the opening “act” is a “band” like Steel Panther. Yes the opening act should absolutely matter, but if they don’t, just gives you more time to grab another beer, or two! 🙂

    8. Shawn, I’m MYSTIFIED that you would pass up the opportunity to see Priest for the LAST TIME in your life because of the opening act. I guess you’re not much of a fan. That just blows my mind. If you don’t like the opener, then show up to the show late or hang out in the parking lot or concession stands.

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