I prefer this one over Angel any day. Angel ranks barely ahead of the Owens years for me and Nostradamus is the tail's end. But this one could be close to or inside the top 5 of Priest albums. I mean, listen to Spectre, that could easily have been on any 80s album with little changes.
Bro, you are entitled to your opinion, but Firepower and Redeemer are so good. My top 5 would be 1. Painkiller 2. Screaming for Vengeance 3. Defenders of the Faith 4. Firepower 5. Redeemer of Souls
You are probably not a fan of JP when you say horrible things like that. Particularly agree with you on point its not even close to Screaming for Vengeance, but Firepower is still the best LP from any metal band of the last 10 yrs and I am totally serious as a Iron Maiden fan.
Yeah, probably the best song on the album. Reminds me of Shadows In The Flame/Visions from Nostradamus (One of the only good songs on that album). Amazing buildup and has some insane melodies.
Yep, "Lone Wolf" is a fantastic song. Not sure what she was listening to. That song might have the best groove on the entire album, although that's debatable.
I like it a lot! Halford really sells it for me with that thick halford grit. My first thought was "This is really weird, but it's kind of awesome." I like when Priest branch out and try new things. It's one of my favorite things about them.
I suspect it's because Ritchie and the producer shared some writing work with Glenn. Of course it's going to sound different than when it was Glenn and KK. Plus with Glenn's Parkinson's advancing it's going to affect how they play. I think its the end of an era but what a way to close it out.
Have you completely lost your mind? Lone Wolf is EASILY one of the highlights of the album!! Just because it ditches the traditional formula doesn't mean it's bad!! And god damn it, listen to those vocals!!
I weirdly had moderate expectations for this release, but was absolutely blown away at the stone cold classic we got. Truly an all killer, no filler album
It kinda reminds me of the Ripper-era songs, particularly off Jugulator. Not by any means a traditional Priest style, but still super heavy and one of the best songs on this album to headbang to.
"Traitor's Gate" is one of my favourites, but my top pick from this album is "Necromancer". One of the really great things about this album is that it builds upon the ideas of Painkiller, rather than simply rehashing them. "Lone Wolf" reminded me a lot of Black Sabbath, which I think is awesome, as Priest have always cited them as a huge influence, and that's VERY evident on that song. I'd also like to add that putting "Firepower" and "Lightning Strike" at the beginning was a good idea. They are excellent songs, straight-up Judas Priest tracks, but the album gets more interesting afterwards. I love this album, really stoked with it \m/
Well in the context of lyrically superb album (a very nuce surprise from JP guys tbh) looks Necromancer lil bit like a evil member of the family. Childish lyrics but superb riff imho
Mitchell Roe It is an incredible song. However, I have never really listened to it very much personally. I am sure some folks would consider this notion blasphemous. But it doesn't deliver the classic wall of sound that I so enjoy from Priest. It is still a classic though, and the lyrics are heavy duty.
Mitchell Roe For me at least, a wall of sound is when the guitars, drums, and vocals are cranked up and synchronized together. Please don't think I'm taking anything away from Sinner, it is a great track. For what it is worth, I could never hope to do anything as well as any member of Judas Priest does. It's just a preference as a fan. I still like the song though.
What is great about this album is it gives us a mixture or heavy and soft songs. Rob also gives us some of his low vocals as well. My favorite songs on this album are starbreaker, last rose of summer, and let us pray call for the priest. All of 70s priest albums are great especially unleashed in the east which is there best album. I even find rocka rola good from the 70s.
The new JP album is soooooo power metal... Guardians is soooo Manowar. I'm really impressed about the production, the guitar crunching sound, pummeling drums....
I think it's a 9 out of 10 for me. I'll listen to anything Priest and I get that Glenn is dealing with some serious shit health-wise. It's not perfect but fuck-it's Priest. Then again I won't ever get to see them live so I don't have to worry about missing out on Glenn and KK (or even Ritchie) playing together. That's the real tragedy of this. My heart goes out to Glenn.
Glenn not being on the tour is very sad. I'm going to see them in April it will still kick ass with Ritchie and Andy playing the guitars. Long live priest!!!!!
This album is so good front to back im so stoked that metal legends can do a throwback album with great riffs great production and heavy tracks.been listenin to this album alot lately
I first heard Judas Priest as a Kid, I was probably in 5th grade. My best friend at the times parents were bikers and his dad gave us a cassette of Judas Priest Painkiller for our musical education. I am forever grateful as I have been a Judas Priest fan ever since!
What's wonderful is music is so subjective. What this nice young woman would call a weak song, I actually liked and I have been a fan since the 70's also (albeit, I didn't know about Priest until the 80's because hey, I was like single digits in the 70s) and I appreciate them trying to do something different. She's right, it is a different vibe and it doesn't mesh with the other tunes, however, I hardly think that qualifies it as weak. I like an album that is diversified in it's sound. This is how the 70's were for them imo. Great review. I subscribed because this young woman is highly intelligent and presents herself very well with her knowledge without coming across as smug or indifferent. Also, she helped to convince me that this cd is worth purchasing because one thing she is completely right about is that since the Rob Halford has come back, Judas Priest has been hit or miss as far as the music goes, and I may not have made this purchase had I not heard a bit more from it. This album could be played right along anything I have from the 80's from them and it would work perfectly. Great album indeed. This is my first purchase of a Judas Priest work since the days before Rob Halford left. I was not that fond of Pain Killer. I liked it, but not enough to invest in it. This however makes me want to see them live again. Great review and Thanks Overkill Reviews for this. Keep up the good work.
Lone Wolf is one of the better songs on the album. 70s Priest constantly experimented and broke new ground with all the songs on albums being very different to each other, guess she's not really a 70s Priest fan after all. My main criticism of the album is it's a little to generic sounding, the songs that take it in a different direction are really welcome.
Ahriman agreed. I like the doomy groove of lone wolf. No problem. Painkiller is always lauded but it is somewhat generic and lyrically "woah metal" even though it's delivered in a searing raw style. The 70s priest - them at their best - is eclectic with light and shade and not afraid to diverge from the expected track. Other bands have a distinct style that they never diverge from but gets annoying soon. Me personally I love changes of mood. Contrast and blank space should be used affectively not just more more more.
Ahriman I m totally agreed with you guys. So, Nostradamus album is one of their best imo. I do prefere the experimental Priest, like the 70's and Nostradamus than this generic and average sound from Firepower. I m also love Point of Entry, Turbo, Ram it Down and the Ripper albums. And for me its a weird thing that she told to be a fan from 70's Priest but she dont liked Nostradamus that was a return with a Progressive and Symphonic elements that started in the 70s, specially on Sad Wings of Destiny. And Lone Wolf its one of the best from Firepower, for sure. The Painkiller fanboys prefered this generic and average Priest, just like this contraditory girl.
By the way, I love all their albums, and Priest its my favorite band. But Nostradamus for me was the last masterpiece from them. Redeemer and Firepower are good albums, but also disappointed to me, cause Priest always was a daring and experimental band with fresh and variations sounds, but with the lasts two albums they become sound a bit average like others cliches metal bands.
Daniel Wildeboer I don't mind Firepower. It's surprisingly good tbh. But that might just be from low expectations as opposed to it being great. It's a good but not an essential album so I wouldn't recommend it as a must have to get the essence of the band. I think some metalheads are very very stuck in one approach so can't take anything softer or less "metal" supposedly. Turbo is a good album. Synths are fine. I used to be slightly overly into their 70s output to the slight contempt of their more "commercial" songs. I would still say 70s Priest are the best works (though the 80s show more confidence etc) but I don't mind the straightforward somewhat silly songs of theirs - they are good examples of that genre too. Really it shows how versatile they are.
Great review! It’s classic Priest. Upon first listen, I too felt it was Painkiller era-esque. BTW- my fav JP record is the late 70s pseudo live album, “Unleashed in the East”. \,,/
The more I listen to this record the more I like it. Almost every song has great hooks and catchy vocal melodies (Rising from Ruins is the best example). BTW, one of the reasons Lone Wolf sounds "different" is because it's in drop-D tuning and traditional Priest song have always used standard tuning. Still a great song though.
So glad Sarah reviewed this album. It sounds like an older stronger album than Painkiller. I said it. Without old classic 70's/ 80s Judas priest before turbo,metal wouldn't be like it is. Hence no Painkiller without nwobhm, speed,thrash. And the extreme. Which priest opened the door to since Sin After Sin and Stained Class.
Good review, if you are going to do an "album by the numbers" then do Painkiller-one of my personal favorites. I do have to disagree with you on Lone Wolf-sounds pretty good to me! Can't wait for Oshawa!
The entire album is great. Hopefully if they make more records, they are as strong as this one. Another soon to be classic Priest in my books.
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Honestly it is pretty impossible. If for example Never the Heroes was released in 1982 it would be a huge radio hit. If they release an album at least as strong as Firepower I am gonna eat my socks with chips and ketchup
Great review! Some interesting chords changes on that sample of Flamethrower. I'm excited to get this one and put it in my car stereo for a month or so. Thanks so much for all the Judas Priest discussion. It's been the highpoint of my day the whole week to check each new addition. Concerning the last song, I have noticed that for whatever reason Priest did that on a lot of their albums. But there are 14 songs on this album! I have a feeling that this is Priest saying we can't predict what will happen going forward so here's everything we have to give. Thanks very very much again. I'll be screaming for the beast that is the Priest in 2018 oh yeah! :D
Flame Thrower seems to the most divisive song on the album, personally I think the album is excellent from start to finish and deserves to be up there with their essential albums. Five stars from me. My favs are Traitors Gate, Necromancer and No Surrender.
Thoroughly enjoyed following Priest week. Great range of content leading up to and including this review! Kept me engaged w music history, immersed in the music, and with lots of laughs. It captures the spirit of fun in metal, one that Priest in their return reminds us to keep alive. Keep up the great work everyone at Bangertv!
No way is Sea Of Red one of the weakest tracks, it's easily up there with some of their other great ballads. Otherwise, spot on review for a great album.
Thank goodness it’s Sarah reviewing this. Based on her top 3 Priest records, I trust her viewpoints. Priest was my gateway into heavy metal back in the 80’s. The first time I heard the twin guitar solo from Exciter was life changing. I’m thinking of doing a podcast and revisiting their classic albums up until Painkiller to see how they stand up from start to finish.
Yep, that song is awesome. Not sure what this reviewer was hearing, but "Lone Wolf" is a killer tune. "Firepower" is firmly my #2 Priest album, just narrowly behind "Painkiller".
Excellent review. I've been listening to Firepower for a week straight and completely agree that It's their best since Painkiller. Judas Priest week was a very good concept.
Loved the whole record. But I gotta say.Rising from Ruin. Loved the song although can't help but think they "borrowed" quite a few riffs from Modern Day Iron Maiden. Lone Wolf was quite the pleasant surprise for me. It has this Sabbath's Dehumanizer vibe to it.
I've been wearing out this album since its release. It's on par with Screaming and sits below only Unleased in the East, as far as I'm concerned. Firepower is easily the best metal album I've heard since Painkiler, regardless of band.
Perhaps one of the most objective reviews I have watched. Thank God for FP, another chapter in the JP Canon of awesomeness. Your right, it is the best since PK, and I loved NosTra and Angels of Res.
Been a priest fan since I was 12 & I'm 50 now love it, love it, love it have been driving my husband crazy listening to it ...even had to go in my car to listen I couldn't get enough!!!!!!
Sin After Sin is my favorite as well. It has an aesthetic to it that defines the attitude of heavy metal: unbridled energy, a swift break from the past efforts, and one word I use to describe a handful of artists who go through the same catharsis: "unleashed" In similar fashion, Fates Warning was unleashed by Awaken The Guardian. Kate Bush was unleashed by Never For Ever. Slayer was unleashed by Reign In Blood. The Cure, even, was unleashed by Pornography. And Sin After Sin was the album that unleashed the Priest into a plane that they would never descend from. And, fortunately for us, one they would keep rising from. Nice review of a once in a generation talent still staying true to form in their mid-upper 60's, for chrissakes!!
Love you Sarah for giving such an awesome review !!i tot for a second when watching martin and Sam do the debate that they may not be doing the album review !!but then yea you guys did !!banger films you rule 🤘🏼🤘🏼!!
You spoke to many of my same feelings for this album: "Flame Thrower" rips, the last two songs are the weakest, best album since "Painkiller". I wasn't expecting much from this album, but pleasantly received a really solid one. Great review! Thanks!
Great review! I haven't been about Judas Priest in long time however I do like most of this new album. Love when you guys do the shout outs to other new albums!
Judas Priest is my favorite band. Screraming For Vengeance tour was my first concert..Im flying to LA in April to see them...my thoughts...no this is not the best album since Painkiller.. Angel of Retribution is. this album is good.its a cross between Screaming,Defenders with the polish of Turbo..and i like the chunk of Lone Wolf
Angel of Retribution was the perfect compilation of "sounds like songs" of their career. Its feels more the Haford's style in the album (close to Resurrection). Angel of Retribution and Firepower represents, from my point of view, the best new albums of Judas Priest and they have the full escense of the band. Our god, Rob, has his ageing limits, but he know how to make us feel like when he screamed in the '80. I'm Martín from Argentina. 41 years loving Judas Priest.
Personally I don't share your opinion about Lone Wolf. When I listened to the full track It felt like some of the riffs were partially inspired by Pantera, which for me makes it one of my favorite tracks.
Spot on review, the production, sound and songs are some of the best Priest since Painkiller. Again great review and great album and I love all the songs on this one.
Sea of Red reminded me of a lite version of Cathedral Spires, one of the best songs from Jugulator. It doesn't take things as far, and isn't as elaborate, but I thought it was a cool way to end the album.
i loved this album it was catchy as fuck and had some nice chuggy riffs and that's all i want from a judas priest album kinda reminded me of the newer accept stuff in production and style and that ain't no bad thing good review as always keep up the good work sarah and banger
Love your review!! Way to be honest!! Love the Priest and love the new album... Can't always reproduce Screaming for Vengeance especially when your in your 60's!!! They started and are keeping the metal alive!
An absolutely amazing album from start to finish. If I were to rank the entire Priest discography, "Firepower" would be #2, right behind "Painkiller". It's just a tremendous slab of straightforward metal, with killer grooves, melodies and vocals from Halford, which is truly amazing at his age. Even the short, mellow instrumental right in the middle of the album is well-placed and powerful. A classic in every sense of the word.
I have ranked Firepower No. 7 on my JP list and I guess it is a very fond ranking and still can't believe how solid Firepower is. 100 times better than cheesy and safe Redeemer of Souls album tbh.
HELL-O!!! This album maybe can be the album of this year! The songs are amazing, good production, killer riffs, the vocals make me feel i am back in time when i started to listen to Heavy Metal. The song (Lone Wolf) is so heavy and for me i am glad that Judas Priest dont think like you and make songs like that. That song remind me the sound of FIGHT. And by the way, Priest made 2 great albums with Riper Owen, Priest got a amazing sound with Riper, but no body can replace Rob. Anyway God Bless Judas Priest!
I personally like Lone Wolf. It reminds me of Sabbath and they influenced Priest. I think they may have written it because Sabbath quit last year so maybe it was in tribute to them.
This album pretty much stunned me. Now I have to completely rethink the aging process. How many 65 year olds can smoke your ears off? The pacing of the album is fine for me. I really don't want 10 thrash songs at 180 BPM. It can be done but it won't be dynamic enough. BTW, the TONE on this album is utterly fantastic!!
Have to disagree, my favorite song is Lone Wolf, but as lover of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, it kicks ass. That is what is great about metal though, it is different for all of us.
Not a single mention of my favorite Priest Album, Defenders of the Faith, but I won't hold it against you. Not sure I'd say this is Painkiller 'by the numbers' but it is a very welcome throwback to the good ol' days. Love this record!!
My favorite album from the 70's would be sad wings. from the 80's I like Point of entry British steel, Screaming, Defenders and Turbo. she's very smart about music.
Agree with almost everything... Traitors Gate was a bit regurgatated in my mind, though I enjoyed the single. Lone Wolf is a classic Rob Halford "Lets give this a try" type a song IMO. Much like the albums Turbo Lover and Point of Entry, the last few albums I felt they were trying a new sound. I am stoked they got back to their roots in this album. The strongest and most complete song for me was Spectre. The chorus is amazing, the flow and riffs just rip. I can probably name the albums / tours of all the cutouts you have on that board, my favorite being the Rob Halford in the lower left... it could be Defenders of the Faith... a cut out from the song Love bites that Rob is singing perhaps? Great review. You definitely have a new subscriber!
Nice review. Another new record worth mentioing is from Michael Schenker Fest! A detail about Sin After Sin is that it contains the drummer Simon Phillips!
Been listening nonstop since I picked it up at the shop. Not a bad review. Flamethrower to me, is really the only weak track on the record but, I'm not here to be negative. I could not be happier with the album. The writing, performance, and production...it's fucking incredible. Rising From Ruins is the album's "Hellrider". 3 days-Mohegan Sun, Front n Center!
Awesome review, keep up the great work! Do you guys have any suggestions on how to keep track of the bands you have listened to and have liked, etc. It is becoming a daunting task to keep up. lol
Yeah, totally love Judas Priest. Rob and the boys are a totally awesome! Will have to go check out my DVD collection, i know i have some Priest in there somewhere. They never let you down!
This album is packed with killer guitar riffs! Love it!
I prefer this one over Angel any day. Angel ranks barely ahead of the Owens years for me and Nostradamus is the tail's end. But this one could be close to or inside the top 5 of Priest albums. I mean, listen to Spectre, that could easily have been on any 80s album with little changes.
Bro, you are entitled to your opinion, but Firepower and Redeemer are so good. My top 5 would be
1. Painkiller
2. Screaming for Vengeance
3. Defenders of the Faith
4. Firepower
5. Redeemer of Souls
You are probably not a fan of JP when you say horrible things like that. Particularly agree with you on point its not even close to Screaming for Vengeance, but Firepower is still the best LP from any metal band of the last 10 yrs and I am totally serious as a Iron Maiden fan.
The mark of the beast is coming soon, beware
It really is amazing! I wasn’t expecting to think it was as awesome as it is. It’s like a perfect throwback to that era of metal!
me too!
I'd give it 5/5 simply because I can't justify any other rating. I love it from start to finish. What a record :)
Ivan Gushkov agree
Completely agree - a perfect 5/5. Not a weak song on the entire thing.
Am I the only one who thinks guardians/rising from ruins was amazing?
Nope, Rising From Ruins is fucking massive and contains some of the best melodies they've done in decades.
I think its a grower for me. I like it, but i think ill like it even more with more listens...
Isaac Santos It reminds me a little of The Hellion/Electric Eye in terms of it being a great composition lead in to a great song !
Yeah, probably the best song on the album. Reminds me of Shadows In The Flame/Visions from Nostradamus (One of the only good songs on that album). Amazing buildup and has some insane melodies.
Nope, it was easily one of the highlights for me
Firepower is probably one of the best metal albums of this decade i think. It fucking kills it\m/... And by the way i loved lone wolf ;)
I think Megadeth Dystopia has to rank VERY HIGHLY!!
Thomas Ramquist Sry but in my opinion dystopia wasn't that good...
@@rmr5044 What do you mean? Dystopia? Agree...the rest was a little bit generic
Yep, "Lone Wolf" is a fantastic song. Not sure what she was listening to. That song might have the best groove on the entire album, although that's debatable.
Rising From Ruins is such a great song. Wish it got mentioned!
AGREE
Gave this a complete spin through on Spotify today, and I thought that it smoked everything that I've heard since Painkiller too.
5 out 5 skulls for me. I love the Priest. Sarah you are my favorite reviewer.
Todd Anderson me too!
Unbelievable that the mighty Priest is back with such a powerful album! And Halford still brings our beloved screams. Awesome! \m/ ♥♥♥ \m/
This album was just incredible, they really show why they are one of the best metal bands ever
Album of the Year.. 2018
Lone Wolf reminds me of a missing song from Ozzmosis. If that makes any sense. I kind of dig it actually
I thought the same fucking thing. I like it though I agree it's weird for Priest.
Kinda sounds like bobaflex to me
I like it a lot! Halford really sells it for me with that thick halford grit. My first thought was "This is really weird, but it's kind of awesome." I like when Priest branch out and try new things. It's one of my favorite things about them.
Lone Wolf sounds like Black album Metallica...could just imagine James on the vocals
I suspect it's because Ritchie and the producer shared some writing work with Glenn. Of course it's going to sound different than when it was Glenn and KK. Plus with Glenn's Parkinson's advancing it's going to affect how they play. I think its the end of an era but what a way to close it out.
Have you completely lost your mind? Lone Wolf is EASILY one of the highlights of the album!! Just because it ditches the traditional formula doesn't mean it's bad!! And god damn it, listen to those vocals!!
i really liked it too. a bit different track on the album is not always a bad thing
Lone Wolf sounds like a lost track from the Owens era of the band.
No. She is right. That song is easily the worst.
Agreed. It grew on me. Still, I also think that it's kind of an oddball when looking at the entire track listing
Nah, it's easily the weakest track on the album. It's not a bad song, but it should have been a b-side.
I weirdly had moderate expectations for this release, but was absolutely blown away at the stone cold classic we got. Truly an all killer, no filler album
The priest week has been a delight for all the priest fans !!thank you banger films 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Great performances, solid songwriting and performances. Halford is killing it vocally to. I dug this album!
I love Lone Wolf, it's so different, I actually dig it
got a sabbath vibe. be like Rob singing with sabbath. my fave track on the album.
exactly, the first thing that came to my mind, sabbath vide
Agreed. Love the song!!
Finally, after a week, some love for Sin After Sin! Sarah always brings the legit.
DarkAgnesDoom got an OP from '77, always my go-to. Cheers bud!
best priest for me too. that guitar tone is sublime.
All the 70s albums are great. Even Rocka Rola. My favorites from the 70s are sad wings and hell bent for leather.
Lone Wolf is one of the weakest of the album? I'm sorry, what?!?!
sounds more black sabbath to me but still a good tribute
@@eliel14ful : Black Sabbath is the only band, which has got a doom-riff-patent? Or Judas is not allowed to play like that or what|? Wake up, dude
Absolutely! Lone Wolf & Flame Thrower are my favourite tracks on the disc.
Judas Priest : Can I copy your homework?
Metallica : Yeah , just make it a bit different
SAD BUT TRUE / LONE WOLF
It kinda reminds me of the Ripper-era songs, particularly off Jugulator. Not by any means a traditional Priest style, but still super heavy and one of the best songs on this album to headbang to.
How was Redeemer Of Souls uninspired???? It was an amazing album.
agreed. I think it really depends on (thematic) preferences here.
agreed. I think it really depends on (thematic) preferences here.
i know right. Halls Of Vallhalla was EPIC.
I know!! It blew all their newer material. Redeemer was an amazing experience
I know eh it’s a great album
Lone Wolf is one of the best tracks on the record. They totally nail that style.
"Traitor's Gate" is one of my favourites, but my top pick from this album is "Necromancer". One of the really great things about this album is that it builds upon the ideas of Painkiller, rather than simply rehashing them. "Lone Wolf" reminded me a lot of Black Sabbath, which I think is awesome, as Priest have always cited them as a huge influence, and that's VERY evident on that song. I'd also like to add that putting "Firepower" and "Lightning Strike" at the beginning was a good idea. They are excellent songs, straight-up Judas Priest tracks, but the album gets more interesting afterwards. I love this album, really stoked with it \m/
Well in the context of lyrically superb album (a very nuce surprise from JP guys tbh) looks Necromancer lil bit like a evil member of the family. Childish lyrics but superb riff imho
Sin after Sin will always be my favorite. Dissident aggressor is 10/10.
Mitchell Roe It is an incredible song. However, I have never really listened to it very much personally.
I am sure some folks would consider this notion blasphemous. But it doesn't deliver the classic wall of sound that I so enjoy from Priest. It is still a classic though, and the lyrics are heavy duty.
Mitchell Roe For me at least, a wall of sound is when the guitars, drums, and vocals are cranked up and synchronized together. Please don't think I'm taking anything away from Sinner, it is a great track.
For what it is worth, I could never hope to do anything as well as any member of Judas Priest does. It's just a preference as a fan. I still like the song though.
What is great about this album is it gives us a mixture or heavy and soft songs. Rob also gives us some of his low vocals as well. My favorite songs on this album are starbreaker, last rose of summer, and let us pray call for the priest. All of 70s priest albums are great especially unleashed in the east which is there best album. I even find rocka rola good from the 70s.
Oliver Queen Rocka Rolla is a masterpiece.
Starbreaker is my favorite song of sin after sin
The new JP album is soooooo power metal... Guardians is soooo Manowar. I'm really impressed about the production, the guitar crunching sound, pummeling drums....
Halford's vocals are amazing on this record. He works with so many expressions and textures. He even sounds like Bowie (!) for a moment.
Bowie? Never caught that, which song?
That Lone Wolf bit they played as a downer for the album sounded pretty awesome. And a Manowar reference, hell yes.
I think it's a 9 out of 10 for me. I'll listen to anything Priest and I get that Glenn is dealing with some serious shit health-wise. It's not perfect but fuck-it's Priest. Then again I won't ever get to see them live so I don't have to worry about missing out on Glenn and KK (or even Ritchie) playing together. That's the real tragedy of this. My heart goes out to Glenn.
Glenn not being on the tour is very sad. I'm going to see them in April it will still kick ass with Ritchie and Andy playing the guitars. Long live priest!!!!!
This is the first CD I've actually gone out and bought in years. That's how good it is. Amazing album.
Lone Wolf is actually my favorite song on the entire album. Absolutely love it. Badass!
Lone Wolf is one of my favourites
+DarkAgnesDoom I fully agree with you
It depends on personal preference
I'm actually a big big fan of Redeemer of Souls. It has all brilliantly written songs!
Yep its brilliantly written, but the production makes me cry
@ that's why you listen to live versions
This album is amazing! There aren't many albums where I like every single song. I never get bored from them!
This album is so good front to back im so stoked that metal legends can do a throwback album with great riffs great production and heavy tracks.been listenin to this album alot lately
I first heard Judas Priest as a Kid, I was probably in 5th grade. My best friend at the times parents were bikers and his dad gave us a cassette of Judas Priest Painkiller for our musical education. I am forever grateful as I have been a Judas Priest fan ever since!
Never been a big Judas Priest fan but this sound pretty fucking triumphant.
Andy Sneap's production on the album is phenomenal.
What's wonderful is music is so subjective. What this nice young woman would call a weak song, I actually liked and I have been a fan since the 70's also (albeit, I didn't know about Priest until the 80's because hey, I was like single digits in the 70s) and I appreciate them trying to do something different. She's right, it is a different vibe and it doesn't mesh with the other tunes, however, I hardly think that qualifies it as weak. I like an album that is diversified in it's sound. This is how the 70's were for them imo.
Great review. I subscribed because this young woman is highly intelligent and presents herself very well with her knowledge without coming across as smug or indifferent. Also, she helped to convince me that this cd is worth purchasing because one thing she is completely right about is that since the Rob Halford has come back, Judas Priest has been hit or miss as far as the music goes, and I may not have made this purchase had I not heard a bit more from it. This album could be played right along anything I have from the 80's from them and it would work perfectly. Great album indeed.
This is my first purchase of a Judas Priest work since the days before Rob Halford left. I was not that fond of Pain Killer. I liked it, but not enough to invest in it. This however makes me want to see them live again.
Great review and Thanks Overkill Reviews for this. Keep up the good work.
I liked the groovy feel of Lone Wolf. Can't stop listening to this album.
Love this album and I really like the ending songs too.
Lone Wolf is one of the better songs on the album. 70s Priest constantly experimented and broke new ground with all the songs on albums being very different to each other, guess she's not really a 70s Priest fan after all. My main criticism of the album is it's a little to generic sounding, the songs that take it in a different direction are really welcome.
Ahriman agreed. I like the doomy groove of lone wolf. No problem. Painkiller is always lauded but it is somewhat generic and lyrically "woah metal" even though it's delivered in a searing raw style. The 70s priest - them at their best - is eclectic with light and shade and not afraid to diverge from the expected track. Other bands have a distinct style that they never diverge from but gets annoying soon. Me personally I love changes of mood. Contrast and blank space should be used affectively not just more more more.
Ahriman I m totally agreed with you guys. So, Nostradamus album is one of their best imo. I do prefere the experimental Priest, like the 70's and Nostradamus than this generic and average sound from Firepower. I m also love Point of Entry, Turbo, Ram it Down and the Ripper albums. And for me its a weird thing that she told to be a fan from 70's Priest but she dont liked Nostradamus that was a return with a Progressive and Symphonic elements that started in the 70s, specially on Sad Wings of Destiny. And Lone Wolf its one of the best from Firepower, for sure. The Painkiller fanboys prefered this generic and average Priest, just like this contraditory girl.
By the way, I love all their albums, and Priest its my favorite band. But Nostradamus for me was the last masterpiece from them. Redeemer and Firepower are good albums, but also disappointed to me, cause Priest always was a daring and experimental band with fresh and variations sounds, but with the lasts two albums they become sound a bit average like others cliches metal bands.
Daniel Wildeboer I don't mind Firepower. It's surprisingly good tbh. But that might just be from low expectations as opposed to it being great. It's a good but not an essential album so I wouldn't recommend it as a must have to get the essence of the band. I think some metalheads are very very stuck in one approach so can't take anything softer or less "metal" supposedly. Turbo is a good album. Synths are fine. I used to be slightly overly into their 70s output to the slight contempt of their more "commercial" songs. I would still say 70s Priest are the best works (though the 80s show more confidence etc) but I don't mind the straightforward somewhat silly songs of theirs - they are good examples of that genre too. Really it shows how versatile they are.
Lone Wolf is a killer track . . . innovative sound; good, crisp metal.
Great review! It’s classic Priest. Upon first listen, I too felt it was Painkiller era-esque. BTW- my fav JP record is the late 70s pseudo live album, “Unleashed in the East”. \,,/
my favorite metal album so far this year. i can still listen to all these songs and enjoy every second of it. rob halford is a METAL GOD.
The more I listen to this record the more I like it. Almost every song has great hooks and catchy vocal melodies (Rising from Ruins is the best example). BTW, one of the reasons Lone Wolf sounds "different" is because it's in drop-D tuning and traditional Priest song have always used standard tuning. Still a great song though.
So glad Sarah reviewed this album. It sounds like an older stronger album than Painkiller. I said it. Without old classic 70's/ 80s Judas priest before turbo,metal wouldn't be like it is. Hence no Painkiller without nwobhm, speed,thrash. And the extreme. Which priest opened the door to since Sin After
Sin and Stained Class.
Good review, if you are going to do an "album by the numbers" then do Painkiller-one of my personal favorites. I do have to disagree with you on Lone Wolf-sounds pretty good to me! Can't wait for Oshawa!
The entire album is great. Hopefully if they make more records, they are as strong as this one. Another soon to be classic Priest in my books.
Honestly it is pretty impossible. If for example Never the Heroes was released in 1982 it would be a huge radio hit. If they release an album at least as strong as Firepower I am gonna eat my socks with chips and ketchup
Great review! Some interesting chords changes on that sample of Flamethrower. I'm excited to get this one and put it in my car stereo for a month or so. Thanks so much for all the Judas Priest discussion. It's been the highpoint of my day the whole week to check each new addition.
Concerning the last song, I have noticed that for whatever reason Priest did that on a lot of their albums. But there are 14 songs on this album! I have a feeling that this is Priest saying we can't predict what will happen going forward so here's everything we have to give. Thanks very very much again. I'll be screaming for the beast that is the Priest in 2018 oh yeah! :D
Flame Thrower seems to the most divisive song on the album, personally I think the album is excellent from start to finish and deserves to be up there with their essential albums. Five stars from me.
My favs are Traitors Gate, Necromancer and No Surrender.
Thoroughly enjoyed following Priest week. Great range of content leading up to and including this review! Kept me engaged w music history, immersed in the music, and with lots of laughs. It captures the spirit of fun in metal, one that Priest in their return reminds us to keep alive. Keep up the great work everyone at Bangertv!
Great review Sarah! PRIEST are back with a vengeance on this album! Cannot wait to hear these new songs live next month.
Lone Wolf somewhat reminds me of the mid section in "Island of Domination." I've pre-ordered the album and I can't wait to get it.
No way is Sea Of Red one of the weakest tracks, it's easily up there with some of their other great ballads. Otherwise, spot on review for a great album.
Thank goodness it’s Sarah reviewing this. Based on her top 3 Priest records, I trust her viewpoints. Priest was my gateway into heavy metal back in the 80’s. The first time I heard the twin guitar solo from Exciter was life changing. I’m thinking of doing a podcast and revisiting their classic albums up until Painkiller to see how they stand up from start to finish.
I LOVE the lone wolf track. I give this album 8/10 or 4.5/5 skulls
Yep, that song is awesome. Not sure what this reviewer was hearing, but "Lone Wolf" is a killer tune. "Firepower" is firmly my #2 Priest album, just narrowly behind "Painkiller".
Excellent review. I've been listening to Firepower for a week straight and completely agree that It's their best since Painkiller. Judas Priest week was a very good concept.
Loved the whole record. But I gotta say.Rising from Ruin. Loved the song although can't help but think they "borrowed" quite a few riffs from Modern Day Iron Maiden. Lone Wolf was quite the pleasant surprise for me. It has this Sabbath's Dehumanizer vibe to it.
one of the best chanells in youtube, analysing one of the mey favorite bands!! that is the Banger TV!
I've been wearing out this album since its release. It's on par with Screaming and sits below only Unleased in the East, as far as I'm concerned. Firepower is easily the best metal album I've heard since Painkiler, regardless of band.
Perhaps one of the most objective reviews I have watched. Thank God for FP, another chapter in the JP Canon of awesomeness. Your right, it is the best since PK, and I loved NosTra and Angels of Res.
Lone wolf is an amazing song!!! Been a fan for decades
Been a priest fan since I was 12 & I'm 50 now love it, love it, love it have been driving my husband crazy listening to it ...even had to go in my car to listen I couldn't get enough!!!!!!
Sin After Sin is my favorite as well. It has an aesthetic to it that defines the attitude of heavy metal: unbridled energy, a swift break from the past efforts, and one word I use to describe a handful of artists who go through the same catharsis: "unleashed"
In similar fashion, Fates Warning was unleashed by Awaken The Guardian. Kate Bush was unleashed by Never For Ever. Slayer was unleashed by Reign In Blood. The Cure, even, was unleashed by Pornography.
And Sin After Sin was the album that unleashed the Priest into a plane that they would never descend from. And, fortunately for us, one they would keep rising from.
Nice review of a once in a generation talent still staying true to form in their mid-upper 60's, for chrissakes!!
Love you Sarah for giving such an awesome review !!i tot for a second when watching martin and Sam do the debate that they may not be doing the album review !!but then yea you guys did !!banger films you rule 🤘🏼🤘🏼!!
You spoke to many of my same feelings for this album: "Flame Thrower" rips, the last two songs are the weakest, best album since "Painkiller". I wasn't expecting much from this album, but pleasantly received a really solid one. Great review! Thanks!
Great review! I haven't been about Judas Priest in long time however I do like most of this new album. Love when you guys do the shout outs to other new albums!
Love your review Sarah. Good job!
Judas Priest is my favorite band. Screraming For Vengeance tour was my first concert..Im flying to LA in April to see them...my thoughts...no this is not the best album since Painkiller.. Angel of Retribution is. this album is good.its a cross between Screaming,Defenders with the polish of Turbo..and i like the chunk of Lone Wolf
Angel of Retribution was the perfect compilation of "sounds like songs" of their career.
Its feels more the Haford's style in the album (close to Resurrection).
Angel of Retribution and Firepower represents, from my point of view, the best new albums of Judas Priest and they have the full escense of the band.
Our god, Rob, has his ageing limits, but he know how to make us feel like when he screamed in the '80.
I'm Martín from Argentina. 41 years loving Judas Priest.
Personally I don't share your opinion about Lone Wolf. When I listened to the full track It felt like some of the riffs were partially inspired by Pantera, which for me makes it one of my favorite tracks.
Yes Traitor's Gate and Firepower are my favourite tracks from this album. Great job on the review.
I love stained class, sin after sin and British steel, but I love the old stuff from Hero Hero.
Spot on review, the production, sound and songs are some of the best Priest since Painkiller. Again great review and great album and I love all the songs on this one.
A shout out to "Never the Heroes" which is an amazing power ballad - the "at waaaaar" part gets me every time!
Great review as always Sarah! Super excited about this album and can’t wait to get it.
Sea of Red reminded me of a lite version of Cathedral Spires, one of the best songs from Jugulator. It doesn't take things as far, and isn't as elaborate, but I thought it was a cool way to end the album.
i loved this album it was catchy as fuck and had some nice chuggy riffs and that's all i want from a judas priest album kinda reminded me of the newer accept stuff in production and style and that ain't no bad thing good review as always keep up the good work sarah and banger
This album is great! The production is insanly good!
Love your review!! Way to be honest!! Love the Priest and love the new album... Can't always reproduce Screaming for Vengeance especially when your in your 60's!!! They started and are keeping the metal alive!
And may I say today is Christmas!! Thanks to the Priest....
An absolutely amazing album from start to finish. If I were to rank the entire Priest discography, "Firepower" would be #2, right behind "Painkiller". It's just a tremendous slab of straightforward metal, with killer grooves, melodies and vocals from Halford, which is truly amazing at his age. Even the short, mellow instrumental right in the middle of the album is well-placed and powerful. A classic in every sense of the word.
I have ranked Firepower No. 7 on my JP list and I guess it is a very fond ranking and still can't believe how solid Firepower is. 100 times better than cheesy and safe Redeemer of Souls album tbh.
@@davidknichal6629 Very cool! I really love Redeemer of Souls, too, and would rank it #5. But yes, Firepower is definitely a major step up!
HELL-O!!! This album maybe can be the album of this year! The songs are amazing, good production, killer riffs, the vocals make me feel i am back in time when i started to listen to Heavy Metal. The song (Lone Wolf) is so heavy and for me i am glad that Judas Priest dont think like you and make songs like that. That song remind me the sound of FIGHT. And by the way, Priest made 2 great albums with Riper Owen, Priest got a amazing sound with Riper, but no body can replace Rob. Anyway God Bless Judas Priest!
I personally like Lone Wolf. It reminds me of Sabbath and they influenced Priest. I think they may have written it because Sabbath quit last year so maybe it was in tribute to them.
Lone Wolf is a great tune. Sounds more like Halford solo but I love it.
Lone wolf was probably my favourite of the album
This album pretty much stunned me. Now I have to completely rethink the aging process. How many 65 year olds can smoke your ears off? The pacing of the album is fine for me. I really don't want 10 thrash songs at 180 BPM. It can be done but it won't be dynamic enough. BTW, the TONE on this album is utterly fantastic!!
Have to disagree, my favorite song is Lone Wolf, but as lover of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, it kicks ass. That is what is great about metal though, it is different for all of us.
I disagree about the comment of not for old schoolers. I hear tons of elements from the past on this. I also hear a newness to it. I think its great
Lonewolf track is my fav. on this album.
Not a single mention of my favorite Priest Album, Defenders of the Faith, but I won't hold it against you.
Not sure I'd say this is Painkiller 'by the numbers' but it is a very welcome throwback to the good ol' days. Love this record!!
My favorite album from the 70's would be sad wings. from the 80's I like Point of entry British steel, Screaming, Defenders and Turbo. she's very smart about music.
Agree with almost everything... Traitors Gate was a bit regurgatated in my mind, though I enjoyed the single. Lone Wolf is a classic Rob Halford "Lets give this a try" type a song IMO. Much like the albums Turbo Lover and Point of Entry, the last few albums I felt they were trying a new sound. I am stoked they got back to their roots in this album. The strongest and most complete song for me was Spectre. The chorus is amazing, the flow and riffs just rip. I can probably name the albums / tours of all the cutouts you have on that board, my favorite being the Rob Halford in the lower left... it could be Defenders of the Faith... a cut out from the song Love bites that Rob is singing perhaps?
Great review. You definitely have a new subscriber!
Nice review. Another new record worth mentioing is from Michael Schenker Fest! A detail about Sin After Sin is that it contains the drummer Simon Phillips!
i love that im not the only one who noticed that the intro of traitors gate is quite the same as the battle hymns
Great review. But more importantly, thank you for turning me on to the band Haunt. Awesome EP, I hope to hear more from this band soon!
Sin After Sin album is my favourite from Judas Priest. I love that diversity of songs
Absolutely, the best of the year!
Been listening nonstop since I picked it up at the shop. Not a bad review.
Flamethrower to me, is really the only weak track on the record but, I'm not here to be negative.
I could not be happier with the album. The writing, performance, and production...it's fucking incredible. Rising From Ruins is the album's "Hellrider".
3 days-Mohegan Sun, Front n Center!
Awesome review, keep up the great work! Do you guys have any suggestions on how to keep track of the bands you have listened to and have liked, etc. It is becoming a daunting task to keep up. lol
Good review! It's even possible this is the best JP album since Defenders. Time will tell.
Yeah, totally love Judas Priest. Rob and the boys are a totally awesome! Will have to go check out my DVD collection, i know i have some Priest in there somewhere. They never let you down!
Flamethrower rules. This is the best new metal since the 80s
Awesome vid! This is defo one of my fav bangertv reviews. 8:29 is fucking hilarious btw