Mr Halford returns in fine form
So the Priest are back, with a new album Angel of Retribution, and a new
singer! Well ok, an old singer but it is good to see Rob Halford
fronting the Priest again and he certainly seems to be pleased to be back.
Judas Priest take the stage shortly after the Scorpions have finished
their set. There is a definite change of atmosphere, a darker more
intense feeling replacing the fun, seaside metal flavour of the
Scorpions. Priest open with Electric Eye and the first of the (thankfully few) gimmicky set pieces involving lifts. I realise that Rob Halford is getting on a bit, but surely he's not at the Stena Stair Lift stage yet? The volume is loud and thick, much more so than during the Scorpions and the boys look like they are really enjoying themselves.
The band all look to be in good nick, Glenn Tipton and KK Downing are
effortlessly swapping solos, Rob Halford is prowling the stage, Scott
Travis is twirling his drumsticks like a majorette, and Ian Hill is
playing as if his guitar lead is only 2 foot long - all is right in the
Priest universe!
After Metal Gods, Riding on the Wind, The Ripper (done at a Sad Wings of
Destiny not Unleashed in the East tempo) and A Touch of Evil come a couple of new songs, Judas Rising and Revolution. As with a lot of the recent Priest work they seem to have lost all subtlety and instead go full out all the time. It's good, but I don't think it is great.
The awesome Breaking the Law is up next, a true classic. This is
followed by I'm a Rocker and then an acoustic, slow tempo version of
Diamonds and Rust. It is always good to hear a reinterpretation of an
old classic, and everyone appreciates the breather before Priest launch
into another new song Deal with the Devil. Again it's full on all the
way, which is good live but I'm not sure how much longevity it will
have. Beyond the Realms of Death is next, a classic indeed and one which
Rob Halford says is one of his favourite songs. Which is interesting as
I'm pretty sure that they went for about a decade in the 80's without
playing it!
The last of the new songs, Hellrider is up next followed by an excellent rendition of Turbo Lover. Victim of Changes is broken up by a rather strange Glenn Tipton solo, which consists of playing the same 3 notes over and over
again whilst gurning at the audience. Rock 'n' roll man! Green Manalishi
is as good as ever and then the regular set finishes with Painkiller.
The lights dim for a few minutes and then Rob Halford roars onto the
stage on a motorbike for Hell Bent for Leather. The gig finishes as
strongly as it started with Living After Midnight and You've Got Another
Thing Coming. Overall Priest have been excellent, the band seemed to
enjoy themselves as much as the audience and it really felt like they
were playing with the crowd rather than playing to them. Lets hope that
they keep going for a few more years yet.
Set List:
Electric Eye
Metal Gods
Riding on the Wind
The Ripper
Touch of Evil
Judas Rising
Revolution
Hot Rockin'
Breaking the Law
I'm a Rocker