Shop Ireland

Angel of Retribution by: Judas Priest

Click to tell a friend about this item...

More Product Details...

Review Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

Click here to add a review!

Average rating -

Rating: - The Definition of metal!!!

I can't say that I've allways been a huge JP fan. It's not that I haven't allways liked their music, it's just that I've not allways been a NWOBHM fan. Anyway, I HAVE allways loved JP classics such as those found on the Metal Works album which I've enjoyed for years. I recently bought a copy of Nostradamus and thoroughly enjoyed it. As such I thought I'd get a copy of AOR to see what it was about...

Holy s***!!!!!! From the moment Judas Rising kicked in I knew I was in for a real treat. This really is the Definition of British Metal (TM). I can unashamedly say that my favourite tracks on the album are Judas Rising and Hell Rider - these really are Painkiller for the new millenium. Blistering stuff! I can honestly say that these two tracks are up there with Painkiller in my all time top 10 best-metal-tracks-by-any-band list.

I should also say that technically speaking the album is as perfect as any I've ever heard. Nothing is out of balance, the sound is classic JP at their best and the production quality is superb.

If you're a JP fan then of course you allready own this. If not, I urge you to buy it - AOR is a vastly fresher and more pollished album than any "nu metal" acts that have ever existed could manage. New metal bands should take note - THIS is what metal is supposed to be all about. Metal gods reign supreme!

Rating: - Great comeback, but what's that horror lurking at the end?

All things considered this is an amazing comeback album. Opener Judas Rising is a barn stormer of a kick off - the Halford scream, the indefatigable double pedal drums, screaching guitars and the pseudo religious lyrical content- this a simple statement of intent - the priest is well and truly back. Next up is the swagger of Deal with the Devil, which deals with the bands beginnings in the Midlands and, in common with much on the album, it wears the priest history proudly on it's sleeve - there are countless references to the Priest past on this cd - from razor blades, painkillers, Victim of Changes intro, Stained Class, fallen angels, sad wings etc and this gives the album a lyrical anchor to the past. The obvious single is up next with a welcome airing of Ian Hill's bass at the outset (not often heard) - this is a bit of a plodder but not necessarily in a bad way and falls in to the more radio friendly camp of Living After Midnight and You've Got Another Thing Coming. Worth Fighting For is a more melancholic melodic offering that borders on poignant with some neat vocal harmonies - this is in the vein of say The Night Comes Down or Desert Plains. First of the cds two bruisers is next. Both Demonizer and Hellrider are culled from the harder moments of say Jugulator or Demolition but fresher with Halford having an absolute ball with the vocals. Wheels of Fire is a throwaway melodic mid paced track and finally there are the two ballads which add a depth and colour to the whole in the way that the Last Rose of Summer or Before The Dawn does on Sin after Sin and Killing Machine respectively.

So that's it...

But hang on though there is something truly awful lurking in the swirling metal mists at the end of this really quite great album. Heaven's above - it's the Loch Ness Monster.

Quite what possessed them to knick the Sabbath riff to Children of the Grave and write about the Loch Ness Monster is beyond me. Didn't anybody in the studio say - 'A song about an imaginary dinosaur? - not sure that's gonna work guys.' The track is laughable in concept and derisory in execution - it is quite simply the worst thing they have ever done.

So switch off, literally, after Eulogy.

Rating: - Judas Priest Arise

Great album from the guys nice and heavy with some good quality ballads to enlighten you.Sound quality on album fab and production great.Dont believe the 1 and 2 stars reviews here the album is way better than that.Ive got loads of Priest albums and can say without doubt this album is great and rocks along at a good pace.Thank goodness Rob is back on vocals hes way better than Ripper.Really like the sound of the songs on the album and would easily say its a welcome edition to my Priest collection,Great riffs,play loud.Hope review is of help.
Please check out my other reviews you might find something of interest.Cheers.

Rating: - DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH!

So many people slate this undeservedly! It's strong, well produced METAL!
Good songs CHECK! Great playing CHECK!
I would say it's at least as good as Ram It Down (another album that gets an unfair bashing!!) and not that far behind Screaming For Vengeance, Defenders Of The Faith and Painkiller. It's certainly better than the lacklustre Turbo.
Judas Rising is a strong opener - proper 'metal' lyrics & a great vocal!
Deal With The Devil is catchy AND heavy with a great chugging riff & a memorable chorus.
Revolution - I really like this, with it's awesome bass guitar intro, cool as hell riffs, and Halford in full stride!
The album sags a bit with the next 3 tracks, Worth Fighting For (sounds too commercial, almost Bon Jovi!), Demonizer (some very good double bass drums mind!) and Wheels Of Fire. They aren't all that bad, just average by JP standards.
Angel is a poor man's Before The Dawn, but it's ok as Metal ballads go.
Hellrider is a pick up point - another great vocal, more kick ass drums & some amazing guitar work. A really good song that builds to a strong climax!
Eulogy is a clever little track that reminds of the opening acoustic part of Blood Red Skies from 1988's Ram It Down - It also cleverly references many characters and quotes from the Priest catalogue.
Lochness - a fitting climax, a 13 minute epic of pure metallic theatre - one of Priest's strongest EVER riffs (think of The Rage from 1980's British Steel).
All in all, a decent package! Nice to hear Ian Hill with a bit more presence in the mix, Scott Travis always delivers on drums, Tipton & Downing fire on all cylinders, and Halford once again cements his place as Metal's premier frontman, alongside James Hetfield & Lemmy.

Rating: - Anticlimax!

Oh well, it's NOT a BAD album but for Priest it doesn't get anywhere near the likes of Stained Class, Screaming, Defenders, Painkiller or Jugulator (a great album in my opinion). The one thing that does set Priest aside from many metal acts is their want to experiment which is great BUT I feel that they've reintroduced themselves with Rob again with some solid proven metal riffs (good idea)with a little experimentation here and there. The stuff ranges from are great to very average. Judas Rising and Hellrider are fantastic, Demonizer, Angel and Eulogy are ok but the rest I feel aren't up the Priest's mark, sorry. The live shows that followed (as a life long fan I went to four in the UK) were great, but there again, never seen a BAD Priest show! Although I thought the PA system at Mancs and Brum wasn't on form. If you're a diehard Priest fan you'll have it already and made you're own mind up, if you want to listen to classic Priest, try any of the former albums mentioned although the production on Stained Class is a little "old hat" now. I hope the next album effects me as much as Screaming did after Point of Entry....although Judas Rising is certainly NOT in that league of mediocrity.

Review Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »