The Priest deliver Angelic Retribution
Rightly hailed as one of the bands responsible for the invention of heavy metal since their debut LP some thirty years ago, this is JP's first album to feature the original line up for over 12 years.
Vocalist Rob Halford, lead guitarist Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist KK Downing, bassist Ian Hill & drummer Scott Travis are reunited for 'Angel of Retribution'.
Kicking off proceedings is 'Judas Rising' – this is a big, loud tune, Halford's vocals are instantly recognisable & it's as if he was never away.
'Deal With the Devil' follows & features the classic guitar interplay that JP are the masters of, a real classic that would stand up well against most of the older songs. 'Revolution' is next & is quite anthemic. Released as a single it's a slight departure in style, this is darker than the preceding tracks but it's decent enough.
'Worth Fighting For' sounds a little dated at the start perhaps with its chundering bass line. The first of the slower songs on the album, which comes as no surprise as JP have always had a couple of its ilk slipped into the mix. Nothing to get excited about really although it has a mildly rousing chorus.
'Demonizer' takes us back to the metal, ah yes this is more like it, it's difficult to know what to say other than it's classic JP. A heavy crunching riff complimented by double bass drums & once again Halford's forceful vocals.
Half way through we find 'Wheels of Fire' which is mid paced, bit of a dodgy one, the verse sounds a little like late 80's Alice Cooper, hmm think we'll move swiftly on to 'Angel'. First proper ballad which, when JP really turn their minds to it they do exceptionally well. A simple but very effective tune that nicely prevents the album from being merely a thrash & bash affair. Livens up a little towards the end as the guitars & drums come in but they are in keeping with the song & it doesn't spoil it.
'Hellrider' raises a wry smile, in a nutshell; Riding, fighting, killing, doom & vanquished enslavers, repeat. Another good song though with some quite outstanding guitar battling between messers Downing & Tipton.
Unfortunately things tail off a little from here with 'Eulogy', another slow one that again is decent enough but nothing special followed by 'Loch Ness'. This lets the side down a little, a fairly average song with hopeless lyrics ('Loch Ness confess your terror of the deep') which as a shame as the rest of the album has been relatively strong.
If you love the Priest of old I don't think you can be disappointed with this album, many of the original features are still there. Listen to it in stereo & the guitars still duel with each other between the speakers, Halford is as strong as ever as is the rhythm section. Lyrically Judas Priest haven't exactly moved on! You know the score, demons, motorbikes etc.
Break this album down song by song & it's not up there with the old classics but it's one of those albums that just seems to work when heard in its entirety. It's a good album & after over 12 years apart it's a pretty decent offering that has enough to promise better to come, that's if they manage to survive the tour without killing each other!