Review of Angel of Retribution
March 17, 2005 |
This post was written by guest author, The One and Only Wayne.
So, the other day this guy comes up to me at work and says, “Wayne, you’re the coolest guy ever. In my ongoing attempt to be just as awesome as you are, I want to listen to the same kind of music you do. What kind of cds do I need to go buy?”My response: “Aaaahhhh, pod people!” Then I stabbed him in the face with a soldering iron.
Had I been of sound mind at the time, I likely would have told him that I always go back to the rock.
Browsing through my music collection, from 58 to ZZ Top, it is easy to see that I either have a thing for rock music, or groups of four or five white guys. I won’t deny either one.
This being said, it may not be too hard to understand how excited I was a few years ago when it was announced that Rob Halford had rejoined Judas Priest, one of the most influential bands in the history of heavy metal. I’m pretty sure that I told everyone I know two or three times, at least. I’m also pretty sure that I don’t know anyone who really cared (sigh). Really, people, these guys co-headlined Ozzfest last year! They’re still awesome!
Whatever. On March 1, 2005, Judas Priest released Angel of Retribution, their first album in 15 years with the original lineup. None of my friends cared. However, I know better. I know that it may just be the best album in the 30+-year history of the self-proclaimed “Metal Gods.” Sweet guitar solos, a driving double-bass drum, and bald guy who can wail just about as well as he did before I was born. And that’s just the first song, “Judas is Rising.”
The first single released is “Revolution,” a song that seems radio-friendly and even has an accompanying video on the band’s website. It’s a bit of a different sound than the band’s last few albums, but not very different at all from Halford’s last two, which makes his re-entry into the band even more welcome.
I suppose that the best way to sum up Retribution is to say that if you like Judas Priest, you’ll like the album. I’d even say that if you like a heavier, non-Tom Petty-type rock, you’ll like the album. If you have at least one functioning lung, and an attention span of more than 17 seconds, you’ll like the album. It’s a collection of songs that is simultaneously classic Priest and something new, and it works. And where else can you find a 13-minute song about the Loch Ness Monster?