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By JEFF MAKI
Anticipation for this album and the reunion tour is about as big as it's ever been for a metal band and I'm here to tell you that the album lives up to everything fans would want from Judas Priest. Angel Of Retribution is the band's first studio recording since Painkiller back in 1990 and this is very similar to that release in my opinion. The lyrics are right in place with that album and most other Priest releases with Rob Halford singing and wailing about lightning, angels and hell among other standard old-school metal topics. The guitar work throughout the album is amazing, the choruses are catchy as hell and Halford's voice is still as high-pitched and strong as ever.
"Judas Rising" starts the disc and is what I think the best song on this album: hell probably one of the best Priest songs ever. "Deal With The Devil" definitely has an old school feel to it similar to "Another Thing Comin" but sped up a few notches. "Revolution" is the first single from this album and some fans seemed not to impressed at first. Although not the strongest of these tracks, around the 4th listen or so it really begins to grow on you. "Worth Waiting For" is mid-tempo paced song with a lengthily and catchy chorus. The melodies in this song are very memorable. "Demonizer" would fit right in on "Painkiller" with double bass throughout, killer guitar solos and Halford sounding like Bruce Dickinson at times. "Wheels Of Fire" is classic Priest and should end up going down as one of their best. A simple, straight forward metal song with mid-paced guitar chugging and again a very catchy chorus. "Angel" is pretty much an acoustic ballad which is different to hear from this band but it works well and helps to break up the disc. This is not one you'll put on repeat but a good listen all the same. "Hellrider" is along the same lines as "Judas Rising" and is also one of their best songs ever. Sinister vocals, fast, and very evil sounding even for Priest, and sure to be one of their classics. "Eulogy" works on here much the same as "Angel" except this one being all piano and vocals - very interesting I think and again I hear Maiden in here. "Lochness" is the closer and clocks in at 13:22! This is almost a mini-metal-opera.
Angel Of Retribution is a solid release from a legendary metal band that is sure to please fans and the entire metal community as a whole. Well worth the wait and a must-own for any Judas Priest fan or metal fan in general. The last two years have seen Judas Priest stronger than ever with their outstanding performances on Ozzfest 2004 and now with this album. Judas is rising yet again.
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