Jul 122 min read

Judas Priest - 'Invincible Shield'

In my humble opinion this is the Metal Gods back to their very best, if you don’t already own it make sure you dash to your local record store and grab a copy... I have.

Given that Judas Priest were formed way back in 1969, you may suggest that they could be allowed to sit back and rest on their laurels after selling over fifty million records... except that is exactly what they are NOT doing. After a brief hiatus they stormed the arena at Powertrip in California last October, making sure everyone knew they were alive and kicking. They are back on the road again with Saxon and Uriah Heep...what a line up, and they have just released another monumental album.

This is the bands nineteenth studio album, and the current lineup consists of Rob Halford (lead vocals), original member Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitars, keyboards), Scott Travis (drums) and Richie Faulkner (guitars). They add Andy Sneap (guitars) when touring as you always need a twin guitar attack in a Priest lineup. Tipton is bravely battling with Parkinson’s Disease, and tends to make cameo appearances only. We have waited a long six years since their last release ‘Firepower’.

They were inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame finally in November, this can only be described as a well-deserved, but long overdue award.

There are eleven full power Heavy Metal tracks for you to enjoy. ‘Firepower’ had shown a return to the powerhouse Metal that we expect of them, and this opus takes that up a notch further in pace, heaviness and aggressiveness. Hill and Travis lay down an epic thunderous beat on each song, which allows Faulkner to let loose on his guitar and Halford to scream those lyrics to his heart’s content.

The single ‘Panic Attack’ sets the scene with a full-frontal guitar attack, and fabulous vocal melodies. Brace yourself though as ‘The Serpent And The King’ moves you to warp factor ten, with an epic guitar solo. The title track showcases the power of Halford’s vocals, whereas the guitar licks on ‘Gates Of Hell’ are simply insane, with a perfect clear and sharp tone; featuring the best solo on the disc.

Given that Faulkner is a mere baby compared with the rest of the band you will be blown away by the energy they have produced; it will flatten you like a runaway steamroller. In my humble opinion this is the Metal Gods back to their very best, if you don’t already own it make sure you dash to your local record store and grab a copy... I have.