Review by Brian McLean
An angel has descended from the heavens blessing the metal world with an offering of retribution. It's an offering from the metal gods for past offenses committed by those who consider themselves metal, a blasphemous offense to the true metal heads.
The offering in the form of the long anticipated CD release from Judas Priest with Rob Halford on vocals might restore faith that major labels may once again consider standard heavy metal a valid form of music, but then again maybe not.
The CD, appropriately titled Angel of Retribution marks the first Judas Priest album with Rob Halford on vocals since their 1990 release Painkiller.
The line up on AoR is the same as on Painkiller featuring Downing and Tipton on guitars, Ian Hill on bass, Scott Travis on drums and of course the metal god himself, Halford on vocals.
While listening to the disc, one will wonder if 14 years or so actually pass between the two discs. The Priest sound is there. Ten total tracks make up AoR and all can be considered primo Priest and that’s only for starters.
The opening tracks, “Judas Rising” and “Deal with the Devil” have that Screaming for Vengeance vibe whereas the first single “Revolution” and “Worth Fighting For” slow down the pace set from the beginning.
Track five, “Demonizer” and six “Wheels of Fire” bring that solid pounding double bass drumming and solid heavy guitar rhythm that bring the Priest feel back.
Not only is AoR packed with solid metal, it has Priest going back to the days of Stained Class with “Angel” and “Eulogy," both songs along the lines of “Beyond the Realms of Death” from Stained... and “Beyond the Dawn” form Hell Bent for Leather.
The track “Hellride” is one of those chanting and head banging anthems for those that will be on the barricade.
Wrapping up AoR will be “Lochness," another slower but heavy guitar tune showing that not only can Halford rock with the heavier tracks but also his vocal style can still flow with the mellower tracks.
Having Priest release a disc with Halford isn't the only bonus for AoR. The disc is also packaged with a bonus DVD that consists of a 30 minute documentary and live footage of Priest performing seven classic tracks such as “Breaking the Law," “Metal Gods," “Hell Bent for Leather,” and “Living After Midnight.” The footage is from Spain during their 2004 European summer tour.
If there are any doubts if Priest has lost their metal touch live, one viewing of the bonus DVD will shattered all concerns. All members are on top of their game and Halford has never sounded more solid live.
The disc has been released in two formats, a standard jewel case version featuring what is called Dual Disc which combines the music and video / film footage on one two sided disc.
The other version will be for the collectors. Instead of one two-sided CD, there are two discs in the digi book format. It's a nice collector piece for those who enjoy the limited edition products.
There's not one weak track on the disc. The Priest have pulled from a variety of styles in their past and have released a solid disc that should open the eyes of the younger generation as to what metal is defined as Judas Priest style.