Every Heavy Metal fan has had the occasion where someone walked up to them and said, “What is this Heavy Metal music then?” with a look of disgust on their face as if to say, “Aren’t you out of this yet? You are no longer a teenager. Well… play them that.
This is a wonderful collection of musings from heavy metal thunder lords, Judas Priest, celebrating 50 years of rockin’ planet earth.
Judas Priest still records and plays gigs today, but the line-up changes with each retirement. It’s still great music, as some of the more recent tracks on this compilation will prove, but this album focuses on the band’s heyday in the late 70s and 80s.
What you get are six remixed and tweaked staple studio tracks, from the early 70s through to last year, opening up the proceedings with panache. When the two lead guitars come to you from every speaker in perfect stereo on the opening song, “Let Us Prey / Call for the Priest”, from the album “Sin After Sin” (1977), you just know that Judas Priest represents the glory of Heavy Metal. Kudos to the priest who didn’t just release the hit singles to sell the CD.
This is followed by ten tracks of pure heavy metal thunder played live in the arenas of our planet. This is where the real treasure lies. Six of these tracks have never been officially released before, which is obviously the draw for all Priest fanatics.
There’s never been a band prouder to fly the heavy metal banner than Judas Priest, and here they are in all their glory. Rock’n’roll music is the big winner.
Hearing the double guitar attack of KK Downing on his mighty Flying V (later, after retirement, replaced by Ritchie Faulkner) and Glenn Tipton on his Black Gibson Les Paul, is as exciting as rock music is. It also borders on genius with their classical and traditional guitar influences showing through. Live, of course, it’s the contrast in their showmanship that shines through.
All the way was backed by the dynamic rhythm section. Ian Hill, the only original member of Judas Priest, stoically played the low notes accompanied by an increasingly heavy but skilled drummer.
Up front, of course, was Rob Halford, the man with an air raid siren in a voice hitting notes no other singer could even hope to think of. Always the focal point, whether arriving on stage on a Harley Davidson or stepping out as gay amidst Priest fame. Remarkably, a very brave thing to do at the time. Especially as a heavy metal god with a mostly heterosexual male audience.
But obviously this audio CD is based solely on the magnificence of music. For that, it is enough to listen to “Victim of Changes” showing all the marvelous technique of the group. “The Ripper” for Rob Halford’s showmanship, or “Sinner” where KK Downing takes center stage to let loose on the Flying V. But throughout, it’s heart-pounding music. head.
Listening to Reflections by Judas Priest makes you want to hit the road again.
Written by Mott the dog smashing his head against the wall during the pandemic.
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