Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Judas Priest
Label: SPV Records
Release: 2003
Running time: 129:04
Rating: 4/5
The set list is similar to the previous ’98 Live Meltdown album, but the feeling that hits you when you listen to the new live album from the steel, indestructible monster called Judas Priest is completely different, or better yet, brand new. This album leaves Judas Priest’s official live releases far behind when it comes to the intensity of the sound and the sheer energy of the band’s stage show. It’s an album “in one piece”, not a patchwork of songs from different stages around the world tour, as the band used to do in the past. In the Halford era, the rule for Judas Priest was basically to “iron out” their live releases in the studio. ’98 Live Meltdown was already a big departure from that, and with their latest live album Judas Priest have clearly said a final goodbye to the “post festum” studio fixes.
What really deserves a mention is the performance of “Ripper” Owens, who has finally shaken off every shackle tying him to his famous predecessor at the mic, along with the pressure from all the “Halford era” Judas Priest fans that had him so obviously falling back on Halford imitations on ’98 Live Meltdown. This time we get the real, fully relaxed Ripper, unburdened by Halford, who has taken a lot of liberties with improvising on some of the Judas Priest classics. In the low and mid registers he really tears and slices with a roar that is, at times, downright deliberately raw, adding an extra dose of aggression to the band’s already devastatingly steel-clad sound. In the high and highest registers he proves he’s in absolutely top form (e.g. the few-seconds-long scream at the end of “Victim Of Changes”). That he can bring Halford to his knees whenever he feels like it hardly needs pointing out
The sound overall is punchier and heavier. What I’m trying to say is that the “new Priest” sounds even more vamped-up live than they do on ’98 Live Meltdown. The Tipton/Downing duo took even more liberties with all kinds of guitar embellishments, again uniquely impressive and colorful, which stand out especially in the transitions between songs. And luckily this time they didn’t go and “erase” those in the studio and record “prettier” ones over them.
The new live album outdoes its predecessor across the board. This is without a doubt Judas Priest with their sound cranked up to the absolute limit so far. They “shred” like always at full tilt, with full balls, uncompromising, thirsty for new blood, and therefore convincing to the very end. This new live document has preserved all the band’s sonic authenticity on stage, like none of their earlier ones. After all these years, Judas Priest remain honestly young at heart and still the original alphabet of heavy metal. And please, with that last remark, don’t go dragging Black Sabbath out of their 70% ethanol solution again.
Line-up
Tim “Ripper” Owens – vocals
Glenn Tipton – guitar
K.K. Downing – guitar
Ian Hill – bass guitar
Scott Travis – drums
Track list
CD 1.:
1. Metal Gods
2. Heading Out To The Highway
3. Grinder
4. Touch Of Evil
5. Blood Stained
6. Victim Of Changes
7. The Sentinel
8. One On One
9. Running Wild
10. Ripper
11. Diamonds & Rust
12. Feed On Me
13. Green Manalishi
CD 2.:
1. Beyond The Realms Of Death
2. Burn In Hell
3. Hell Is Home
4. Breaking The Law
5. Desert Plains
6. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
7. Turbo Lover
8. Painkiller
9. Hellion
10. Electric Eye
11. United
12. Living After Midnight
13. Hell Bent For Leather
SPECIAL EDITION INCLUDES:
vido extracts from “Live In London” DVD
Album running time: 129:19
