New Judas Priest? Um, ok.
Monday, April 21st, 2008
I’m a little speechless. Or writeless. I know that’s not a word, but that’s sort of how I’m feeling as I listen to the title track to the forthcoming Judas Priest double album “Nostradamus”, due out in June. The band posted the song on their label website and I was eager to hear what they’d come up, considering the years of work they’d put into their new album.
I’m speechless.
The hardcore Judas Priest fans are going to rake me over the coals if they read this, but this seems only a few steps up from Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge”. The playing is solid (as if it could be anything but), Halford’s voice is in fine form…but the song itself. I don’t know. Am I supposed to be taking this seriously? I’m sure I am, but I just can’t help finding the whole thing really kitchy. And I don’t think that’s what the band was intending. It seems a a little cinematic at times which I know Priest was hoping for, but there are a few moments where it also seems a little too Broadway. Unless Judas Priest is hoping to be the first metal band to rule Broadway, that’s probably not a good thing. Marks for ambition though, especially with making their new album a double.
I’m going to take another listen, and maybe you should too. If you get a chance, let me know what you think of “Nostradamus” (your bonus code, btw). Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s a grower. Or maybe the new album will fit nicely beside “Smell The Glove”.
Click HERE to hear the tune.