So I feel I need to preface this review with a tidbit of personal information I don’t share too often: I’m a casual Judas Priest fan. I do like them, and respect them more than most bands of the genre for multiple reasons, but I never really dug into their catalog much past the hits, which I considered more classic rock than metal. I’ve never claimed to be right; I can only tell you my point of view. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that everything doesn’t have to be played at breakneck speeds, with growling guttural undecipherable lyrics worshiping Satan, or have an unreadable logo to be good. I still very much enjoy all of those things, but I have come to appreciate much more as I’ve grown older.
I knew that I wanted to see Judas Priest before they called it quits because they are legends. Luckily, I was able to do so in September of 2018, thanks to my friend Groupon. That show was amazing. They played the hits, some deep cuts, and tracks off the new album, Firepower, and I was completely satisfied. When the latest tour was announced I knew I wanted to go again but wasn’t expecting the experience that I got.
Priest played to a ¾ full Fox theater in Atlanta, but it truly felt like I was in a large stadium. The sound, the power, the energy from the crowd and the band were unlike anything I have ever seen. While I will totally admit, the setlist of this show left me “Out in the Cold”, I knew I was in the middle of something very special. This was a setlist for the fans by the fans, and by that I mean Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap. These two were hugely influenced and loved Judas Priest and it was awesome to see them express it for these deeper cuts. Not only that, these guys have really settled into their roles in a few short months since I last saw them. They were very comfortable on stage, with each other and the material. True professionals in every sense.
The 18 song setlist was a career spanning opus, over 12 albums. Some highlights for me were “Killing Machine”, “Judas Rising”, “All Guns Blazing”, although they were all great. The flow of the setlist was amazing too, as each song rolled into the next, no lulls, no dead spots, not a chance for the audience to be taken out of the performance. I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about how great Rob Halford sounded as well. In September he would hunch over and belt out the notes he was known for, but it almost seemed as if it were 1991 again and he was hitting ranges other singers could only dream of with ease. The graphics/videos behind the band were simple but flowed so well.
During a short break, Halford walked across the front row and slapped hands with almost everyone. When he reached one fan, he said “We have been together longer than you have been around! But that’s what it’s about, generations, bridging metal together and keeping it alive!” I have never heard a truer statement and the fanbase in attendance ranged from some silver-haired businessmen in Dockers and deck shoes to leather studded metal heads bringing their kids to experience a true legend.
For me, this concert was a master’s class in performing. It made me want to seek out all of those older albums and enjoy them as everyone else has done. I didn’t feel left out but left wanting to drink it all in. It was great seeing all of my friends after the show, listening to everyone talk about how great of an experience we had just witnessed. I liken the experience to a Dead show where everyone talks about how,” This was better than when I saw them on the Painkiller Tour in ‘92’,” or “Man, I can’t believe they played Take These Chains!” And in that same vein, so many good friends together, so many hugs and smiles to go around. The vestibule was full of the happiest bunch of metalheads you could ever want to see!
At the end of the show, a graphic came up on the screen saying that Priest will return. I truly believe that this incarnation of the band has a new life that could go on for years. I know I will be at any show that is nearby. In the meantime, I will be doing the homework that was assigned to me, as my ass was taken to school on Wednesday night; learn the songs and Long Live Judas Priest!
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