Judas Priest will always go down as one of the most legendary and influential metal bands of all time. However, when rock artists reach their seventies, they can usually be assumed to either put the microphone down or turn to making more mellowed tunes in their wizened age. Rob Halford, however, continues not only to sport black leather and stay dedicated to his guitar-shredding, falsetto-shrieking roots, but own it amazingly to cement Judas Priest as continuing legends. Opening their recent Birmingham concert with the new pulse-pounding hit ‘Panic Attack,’ it was clear from the start the band still has it. With Richie Faulkner and Ian Hill ripping it up on guitar and bass, our band’s chemistry was electric, and the iconic Halford’s voice sounded as piercing and skull-rattling as when the 1990 Painkiller album came out. Even hits as old as the 1976 anthem ‘Victims of Change’ sounded fresh and heavy, with Halford sounding even more vicious shrieking the iconic opening line ‘Whiskey woman, don’t you know that you’re driving me insane? (Scream)’ than nearly fifty years ago.
More old favourites like ‘Turbo Lover’ and ‘Breaking the Law’ were performed and the electrifying material from their recent album ‘Invincible Shield’ seamlessly melded with the classics. When a band holding a career spanning five decades and some of the most beloved albums in rock history manages to perform new material just as face-melting and inspiring, they deserve the upmost respect. Halford even gave an admirable reflecting speech on the band’s legacy, reminiscing on how, exactly fifty years ago today, they were all working to make ends meet on their debut album ‘Rocka Rolla’ and now the ‘Invincible Shield’ takes the next step. A few unforgettable surprises were also in store for Priest fans in Birmingham. One of the all-time guitarist greats, Glenn Tipton, made a surprise appearance at the encore to play ‘Living After Midnight’ and was one of the greatest honours to see the man on-stage. When him and Halford joined for a final closing bow, it was one of the most profoundly moving experiences I have seen witnessing one of the most inseparable music duos together still striving.
But likely the one concert moment I will always hold closest to my heart was when the most groundbreaking metal song of all time and my all-time favourite, ‘Painkiller’, came thundering out. I was a little sceptical if this would be performed, as the band had sometimes refrained from it in their ‘Firepower’ tour. However, when drummer Scott Travis asked ‘the true metal fans’ what they wanted and we all shrieked ‘Painkiller!’ at the top of our lungs, the iconic rapid drum intro and blaring riff instantly launched us onto the six-minute roller coaster and headbanging ensued all-round.
Judas Priest will always be a staple name in metal and to see them not only continue to show loud steel-baring creativity in their studio albums but also put on excellent leather-bound concerts is a sight to behold. Then again, you can’t stop the Painkiller!
Great review! I saw them in Leeds and they were amazing! Glad to hear you also enjoyed the show, George ????
It was excellent indeed thank you!