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.
Menu
47 Responses
I love Steel Panther. Not everyone is going to and that’s fine. I once went to see Aerosmith with Run DMC openening. I never even looked at the stage until Aerosmith came on.
I would’ve waited outside of the arena until Aerosmith came on! 🙂
Dougy boy, you really need to snap
Ed baby, you really need to grow up!
This tour has six less songs than their last tour, and they have Steel Panther opening. I saw them in NJ, and I didn’t get my money’s worth. They should have ended it on their last tour. BTW, they’re my favorite band.
Priest has never done a 22 song set mikey. You are trippin heavily. 17 is the norm for thy Judas. Came up 1 short this time. Did we have trouble with our 3rd grade math mikey boy? Tell ya what lil one, go get a DVD of past tours and have someone count each tune for u. If any show adds up to 22 songs l will remove idiot of the year from you. Go get em mikey
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/judas-priest/2011/izod-center-east-rutherford-nj-3d1e903.html
That’s their setlist from 2011 idiot. And I was counting 15 songs from this tour, because “Defenders of the Faith” isn’t really a song.
Mikey, You are posting bogus data. Stop crying. You didn’t get your moneys worth because u paid to see a senior citizens show. You are now idiot of the decade. Have a nice day moron.
I like the new Priest album, but to me the band now feels kind of like a ghost of what they once were. For some reason they don’t seem to be able to capture the intensity of the old Priest sound on their newer records. I remember when I got Angel Of Retribution it certainly had it’s moments but for the most part it just felt like something was missing. The new record has the same problem – though I do consider it their best since Painkiller. As for the current tour…I personally don’t feel much of an urge to see them live without KK. I saw them on the British Steel anniversary tour in ’09 and they were great…a near perfect show. I’m content with letting that be my final memory of seeing them in concert.
U might stop wood, but NO ONE stops the crane
Ed, glen informed us last week this tour is only a 90 minute show, compared to 150 minutes for the previous tour. My math isn’t good, but I suspect more than one song was dropped. FYI, according to Setlistfm, Priest played 22 songs on May 9, 2012. Never say never and say you are sorry to mike.