Angel Of Retribution - Judas Priest

'''Judas Priest''' has it's own history, but that's just how the most of the rock bands do, not mentioning heavy metal ones. With Rob Halford _(one of very few artists who confessed their homosexuality not to mention even fewer in the world of heavy metal)_ on vocals with his incredibly vast potential, you can put this CD along with classics like '''Iron Maiden''' or '''Deep Purple''', bringing back old school of archetypal rock where playing technique ...
...hear) more and more influence of digital sound processing before the music itself reaches the fans, but "Angel of Retribution" has its raw but at the same time genuine feel of leather and iron, let me put it this way. This is classic heavy metal, like this back in the days, when you were reading timeless magazine with the same title and enjoyed work of Luis Royo and Boris Vallejo and when the brand of certain motorbike was considered almost ... more

Judas Priest has it's own history, but that's just how the most of the rock bands do, not mentioning heavy metal ones. With Rob Halford (one of very few artists who confessed their homosexuality not to mention even fewer in the world of heavy metal) on vocals with his incredibly vast potential, you can put this CD along with classics like Iron Maiden or Deep Purple, bringing back old school of archetypal rock where playing technique does matter.

Today, we see (or hear) more and more influence of digital sound processing before the music itself reaches the fans, but "Angel of Retribution" has its raw but at the same time genuine feel of leather and iron, let me put it this way. This is classic heavy metal, like this back in the days, when you were reading timeless magazine with the same title and enjoyed work of Luis Royo and Boris Vallejo and when the brand of certain motorbike was considered almost God-made... it is definitely gone and I'm sorry because of this, but along must go "Angel of Retribution".

Although, a piece of this good, pedigree hard rock, with couple highlights like "Worth Fighting For", "Deal With The Devil" and "Wheels Of Fire" is there to indulge your memories of the old days, unfortunately doesn't offer anything new. In the world of heavy metal music "Angel of Retribution" is a classic - yes, but bringing very little refreshment to the old ideas already written in this genre. There's no point of rewriting old stories the same way, isn't it?

But if you're constant heavy-metal fan... oh, yes you're in heaven (or in hell) :)

Tracklisting:
"Judas Rising" – 3:52 - an opening of the album with full boost of heavy distorted guitars and screams of Halford, engaging you to fully listen right from the beginning.

"Deal With The Devil" – 3:54 - a classic heavy metal track with speedy rhythm guitar and pure devilish attitude. One of the highlights on this CD.

"Revolution" – 4:42 - a freight-train-tune. One these that don't need to explain themselves, with steady, palm-muted rhythm and high pitched screams.

"Worth Fighting For" – 4:17 - definitely a highlight. Some say that Judas Priest can't write rock ballads, and this songs proves them wrong. My favourite on this CD.

"Demonizer" – 4:35 - good song that resonates with me somehow, although double-decker stomp and massive multi voice vocals are rather King Diamond's speciality.

"Wheels Of Fire" – 3:41- another exceptional track, made just for motorbiking. If you have one, that track will definitely make you ride it.

"Angel" – 4:23 - another ballad, in which guitars and strings in the backgrounds are subtle but combined with Halford's vocals sounds rather cheesy.

"Hellrider" – 6:06 - Van Halen's guitar style as an opening to this track results in great expectations. Later, there's just the same, unfortunately...

"Eulogy" – 2:54 - brings back Metallica's track One. Sounds nice but at the same time - trivial.

"Lochness" – 13:22 - closes this CD with longish track, only die-hard fans, I guess.

Thanks for your time, take care and enjoy listening! 

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