Judas Priest, 'Firepower' -- First Time Live

It's apparently Judas Priest week here on BBG! and that's great. Priest just kicked off their big tour in support of Firepower. Of course I had to share the video of the band performing "Firepower" live for the first time! Enjoy.

Comments

[Badland]

Its basically like when I saw Halford and Fight. All the Priest hits just with different band. Im still a fan and always will be. Fight was good Halford had some killer songs. I even saw Two which was eehhh. Priest is back! If they come around ill probably still go.

[Bkallday]

True, Badland. Fight was badass and one of the best side projects ever! As for this story, only 2 songs from the new album, and it's the two worst??? Ugh

[Jeff]

Nice setlist with 3 songs from the new album (which is killer!). It just looks weird without Tipton on stage. The new guy Sneap is kind of bland, then again, Glenn didn't do much theatrics on stage either. Also, seeing Rob singing from the teleprompter most of the show is disheartening. He really only engages the crowd on the tried and true songs anymore. That being said, his voice is still amazing for a 66 year old!. (4 years younger than Sammy Hagar). My wife and I always play a game of who's older than Sammy that is still performing at a high level.....hint, there's not too many! LOL

[Bob]

Jeff, I suspect that Andy Sneap was picked because he was someone they could get on short notice, and someone they are used to working with. I can't speak to his ability as a guitarist, but he is an amazing sound production guy. He gets absolutely huge studio sound out of metal albums without having to resort to brick wall production.

[Badland]

If you get a chance watch Classic Albums on AXSTV . Judas Priest British Steel album

[Kixchix]

Sneap is occupying rarified air. Doing well there. Let him be. Rob can still sing. At 66 one can tell he puts a lot into it. Be thankful this version of JP exists.

I’ll take this JP over Ozzy, Marilyn Manson & Don Dokken combined every day of the week!

[Gary]

@ Badland. Lol. I Taped it last night. Just watched it. Freakin cool listening to how songs came about and KK and Glen jamming some of the riffs 😎

[Him]

Having seen Priest both when Halford was still prowling the stage (relatively speaking) and when he was basically reduced to limping around with a cane due to his back problems, I have to admire his stamina these days . . . even if I agree that the 'rockin' to the front, stepping to the back' teleprompter dance is a bit odd to see. I sorta' wonder: has he forgotten the songs they just wrote? Has the Metal God maxed out lyrical storage space?

Jeff, you also raise a great point about singers around his/Hagar's age that can still/could still bring it. Offhand, I can only think of Dio (age 67 when he died) and Joe Lynn Turner (66). Biff Byford (67) still rocks, and Buck Dharma (70) is still awesome, even if they never had to 'bring it' like Halford. Klaus Meine (69) has diminished range these days, but sounds pretty good live (though much quieter as well).

The twin attack may be gone (though the smell of KK's perfume and his back and forth with Halford lingers). But I suspect most people are happier with Priest on the road (and Halford leading the charge) than without them. The other topics--thematic repetition, how many classic members count, etc.--are best left for another discussion. And Bob's right: Sneap is stepping into some big shoes.

So, while they are around, best we enjoy 'em, right? Better "Breaking the Law" than "Breaking the Hip"!

[Gary]

Him. You’re correct. Catch them now because it won’t be long that instead of “Breaking The Law” they’ll be “Raking The Lawn” and yelling at the neighborhood kids to get the hell off the grass....

[Him]

Your pun wins, Gary. You, sir., are a comedic genius!

[Metalboy!]

Well, at least this new dude is one of the producers of some of their last albums but it would be great to catch them with Glen making a special appearance as has been mentioned.

p.s. Anyone who doesn’t think Tipton was a helluva showman, watch their Metal Day performance at US Fest ‘83! He’s jumpin’ around plenty, though perhaps not quite on the level of K.K., who’s really tearing it up with all his stage moves, aside from all the bludgeoning dual guitar pyrotechnics! KILLER!!!