Saturday
Jun142014
New Judas Priest!
Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 12:01AM
Judas Priest have a new song out called "Dragonaut!" The song is from the forthcoming album Redeemer Of Souls. New metal is always a great way to start a Saturday.
Reader Comments (26)
It's kinda catchy with it's vaguely familiar Priestesque, yet simpler, riff. I bet the real Priestheads could identify the riff they knocked off of themselves in 0:30 or less.
However, I think I've been spoiled by the production of all their classic stuff and the overproduction of their overlooked masterpiece, "Turbo".
Still, one has to admire that Priest for not doctoring anything up.
As much as I want to hear Halford howling like a hyena with his signature impossible sounding punched-in 8th octave, I appreciate the "as-is" delivery of this demo like affair.
Since my layzay unfairé attitude toward songs in general these days, has led, on more than one occasion in the last several years, to my overall disregard for tunes as nothing more than delivery systems for killerific guitar solos, I am, in fact, mildly disappointed with "Dragonaut" (great song title, tho), as I was hoping for something that would do just that.
Though Richie Faulkner is certainly more than capable, believe me, K.K. is sorely missing here. No wonder he quit. These guys aren't pushing themselves anymore.
Is it great? No. Is it horrible, No.
I give it a "B".
p.s. Read the guitar solo credits of "Painkiller". That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Maybe these are all rough mixes you've heard so far, Gary. If you think this is good, imagine a "Turbofied" version! Gary! Bob! You saw these guys in '78 and '79, respectively? Dude's! I need a "Painkiller" now! To think I could have seen these guys then as my ex-lead guitarist did. I also coulda seen 'me in the 80's AND 90's, with ease. What the h*ll was I thinking?! Next time these guys roll into Tampa, I'm there. Who knows, I might even be impressed with Faulkner. At least he'll have better delivery systems to play off. \m/
I think Bob is right: they are writing within Halford's range. I prefer that to auto-tuning him into Cher (as Metalboy! also notes). And I guess that is just the passage of time.
I am a massive fan and love all JP. But the 80's were their golden era and mine as well; for that matter. So these selections come as no surprise.
Songs? Victim, beyond realms of death, dissident aggressor, painkiller, stained class, devils child, dreamer deceiver, steeler, sentinel
Songs are tough to choose. When I review what I listed, it seems I went with the songs that evoke the most emotion in me and have been my anchor growing up. "Party Priest" is a whole other list. "Driving " Priest as well. "Gay" priest too! You say wtf? I absolutely love how rob pulled the proverbial wool over millions of pubescent guys with the tough macho leather and chains look. And how Glenn kk and Ian were amenable to songs like, raw deal (omg the lyrics are as "out" as one can get!!!! Eat Me Alive, pain and pleasure. Wish someone from the band would write a book already. But I guess they feel their story continues so why when there is more to be written.
Also, the solo song WRATH OF GOD. Is the best 9/11 song for vengeance. For the life of me I do not understand how it is not blasted every 9/11 on every rock station as a reminder to those who fuck with others lives. "The dark skies, the victims, the air is full of vengeance. From now on no mercy, the wrath of gods reigns on you!!!! In hell I'll meet you and once again defeat youuuuu!!!!!" A timepiece
I can talk priest all day......
and Metalboy! You would be impressed by Ritchie. He is very hot, I mean his guitar playing is. Right Carolyne?
Seriously there is no replacing KK but Ritchie does a great job fitting in.
My favorite Priest release would probably be British Steel,as to me,there really isn't a single "filler song" on it.Screaming For Vengeance is right there with it,but I give British the slightest of edges. If I were forced to pick a favorite song from Priest,it'd be hard,butt I'd probably give The Hellion/ Electric Eye the nod.That song just slams,and Glenn's fretboard all but catches fire during that solo. Lol
As for the new stuff,I may be a bit biased,because Ive gone back and forth on Twitter a few times with Richie F.,and he seems like one of the most affable dudes you'd ever meet.True gentleman who seems to genuinely love the bands fans. The guy stepped into huge shoes and a pretty much no win situation,and seems to have handled it beautifully. All that said,I think these songs truly rock more than anything they've dropped for a while,and that's a great thing for the state of R&R!! \m/
And I can totally understand Gary picking "The Hellion/Electric Eye" as his fave. There's a reason they opened many a show with that as immortalized in 1983 with their legendary performance on Metal Day at The US Festival Metal Day.
Though it's difficult for me to pick one Priest song as my favorite (I own every album and many a vintage T-Shirt, having donned my fave at the beach on The Monsters of Rock Cruise this past March), here's what I've got on my iTunes to give you an idea of what I would choose from...
1) The Hellion/Electric Eye (both Priest's and Helloween's versions)
2) Breaking The Law
3) Living After Midnight
4) Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
5) Hell Bent For Leather
6) Exciter - Studio, Live (Unleashed) and Ripper's version
7) Heading Out to the Highway
8) Hot Rockin'
9) Johnny B. Goode
10) Turbo Lover
11) Locked In
12) Parental Guidance
13) Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days
14) You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Also, there's a killer Tribute album you guys should have it you don't already, "Legends of Metal Vol. 1 - A Tribute To Judas Priest". The two unbelievable tracks I have in my iTunes from that are "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" by Saxon (call me crazy, but this surpasses the original, IMHO, maybe not vocally but certainly guitar-wise) and an absolutely blistering version of "Metal Gods" by U.D.O. The Helloween version of "The Hellion/Electric Eye" is also from that compilation. Happy Hot Rockin', you Heavy Metal Kidz!
Out in the Cold off of Turbo. I still recall seeing the Turbo tour in Charlotte. When they started that song and you hear Rob singing but can't see him, then when he hit the line..."Where are you now...." and he appears from behind the riser. Just thinking of it still gives me chills.
I had just moved to NYC and just wasn't paying attention.
Meanwhile, all my Maryland Rock'n'Roll brethren were there, most likely at Capital Centre, which was still packin' 'em in (I think capacity was 28,000) well before they imploded the joint.
You are a lucky man to have seen them, Jeff, especially on THAT tour. What a magnum opus that album has turned out to be.
Speaking of which, I will be sure to listen to "Out In The Cold" again, this time with my antenna fully extended. Thanks so much for the tip.
I just looked on Amazon and there's a "new" (meaning still sealed) CD there for $144 and on Ebay there's an LP for $99. Everything else is Volume 2.
All I can say is vigilantly keep checking for it on those sites and also scour FYE and indy used CD shops wherever you are. I'm sure you are bound to run across it sooner or later.
Welcome to the world of rare Metal CD's. Happy Hunting. Here's where you need a REAL "Metal" Detector!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grg2I6wmKJA