Nostradamus (Super Deluxe Edition/+3LP) - Judas Priest

Advantages: It's different to anything else released by the band, therefore deserves a listen
Disadvantages: maybe alienate a few fans

...This is a very difficult album to review for me... the Priest were one of the first metal bands I became a fan of back in my teen days in 1978, so I've been with them every step of the way for the last 30 years now. Over that time they've released several classic albums... Stained Class, Killing Machine, British Steel, Screaming For Vengeance, Painkiller, and even the last album 'Angel Of Retribution'. They've also stuck out a couple of average albums... Turbo, and Ram It Down come to mind... but this new one... heck, this one had me stumped from the day they announced the concept (what were they thinking of?), until I actually bought it and gave it a few listens. Based loosely on the life and prophecies of Nostradamus, it's a double CD. A lot of it sounds like your typical Judas Priest material, but a lot of it is far from it... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A nicely diverse album of early material.
Disadvantages: Poor production and bad decisions.

..., but wasn't quite as cool or distinctive as the original, especially as Grant's painting had also been used for a book of the same name, and for a random early video game box. The band's dislike of the album's overall style may be due to its association more with traditional rock than metal, something that is partially appropriate in this mixed bag of radio-friendly pop rock and high-concept suites. It may lack the distinctive Priest sound, but it's an interesting listen, and it's clear the band is really onto something. 1. One for the Road 2. Rocka Rolla 3. Winter 4. Deep Freeze 5. Winter Retreat 6. Cheater 7. Never Satisfied 8. Run of the Mill 9. Dying to Meet You 10. Caviar and Meths The album begins on a disappointing note with the repetitive and bland 'One for the Road,' based on a tedious blues riff that lacks the usual Judas Priest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great songs and atmosphere
Disadvantages: Repeated material across other albums

...Judas Priest are one of the greatest all-time real metal bands. They have been widely publicized for having been involved in a court case in America in which a couple of teenage idiots tried to blow their brains out after listening to a Judas Priest track, supposedly backward, which a subliminal message was contained in, telling them to 'Do it', it being suicide of course. Unleashed in the East is a collection of some of their best live and studio stuff, and a band like this inevitably has many best of and live albums, so it could not be called an essential - but it is still great.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful