|
 |
Judas PriestAngel Of Retribution SonyBMG The return of Rob Halford has done nothing less than revitalise the legendary metal band Judas Priest. Although Tim 'Ripper' Owens proved himself more than capable of matching Halford's abilities as a frontman, what Priest have regained with Halford's return is a core member of the songwriting team; and the songs on 'Angel Of Retribution' are that much stronger for it. Right from the Victim Of Changes-style intro of the opener Judas Rising, Priest has created a beast which takes the best elements of their classic work, from 'British Steel' through to 'Painkiller' and added the grittier sound that Halford achieved with his solo releases. The introduction of Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Tribe Of Gypsies) as the band's producer has also intensified their sound. Deal With The Devil follows, a rocking track similar to Halford's Made In Hell and One Will. The chorus of Revolution sees a different sound for the band, with Halford's vocal harmonies spaced rather eerily. The melancholic Worth Fighting For shows that this band still knows how to write hits, and leads into the heavy riffing of Demonizer. The acoustic Angel builds slowly, showing great dynamics in its progression, and providing a well-earned rest between the heavy Wheels Of Fire and Hellrider, the latter of which is reminiscent of Nightstalker. Eulogy is a little interlude in which Halford manages to drop lyrical references to Stained Class and The Sentinel, before the epic closer Loch Ness. The lyrics are still camp - it wouldn't be 'Priest otherwise - but they herald a classic band which has found itself again. The guitar work of Glen Tipton and KK Downing is still superlative, showing that they have not lost anything with age. The solos are blistering, keeping with the work on 'Painkiller' and one almost gets the feeling that Tipton was holding back his best work for the past ten years in the hope that Halford may someday return.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine