Judas Priest:Heavy Metal from United Kingdom.


Discography:
Members:
Ian Hill | Bass (1970-present) |
See also: ex-Freight | |
Rob Halford | Vocals (1973-1992, 2003-present) |
See also: Halford, ex-Fight, ex-Hear ‘n Aid, ex-Black Sabbath (live), ex-2wo, ex-Abraxas, ex-Athens Wood, ex-Bullring Brummies, ex-Hiroshima, ex-Lord Lucifer, ex-Thark | |
Glenn Tipton | Guitars (1974-present) |
See also: ex-Glenn Tipton, ex-Merlin, ex-Shave ‘Em Dry, ex-The Flying Hat Band, ex-Tipton, Entwistle and Powell | |
Scott Travis | Drums (1989-present) |
See also: Thin Lizzy, Racer X, ex-Fight, ex-Hawk, ex-Animetal USA, ex-The Scream | |
Richie Faulkner | Guitars (2011-present) |
See also: ex-Deeds, ex-Christopher Lee, ex-Lauren Harris, ex-Voodoo Six |


1.
Dawn of Creation
02:31
instrumental
2.
Prophecy
05:26
Show lyrics
3.
Awakening
00:52
Show lyrics
4.
Revelations
07:05
Show lyrics
5.
The Four Horsemen
01:35
Show lyrics
6.
War
05:04
Show lyrics
7.
Sands of Time
02:36
Show lyrics
8.
Pestilence and Plague
05:08
Show lyrics
9.
Death
07:33
Show lyrics
10.
Peace
02:21
Show lyrics
11.
Conquest
04:42
Show lyrics
12.
Lost Love
04:28
Show lyrics
13.
Persecution
06:34
Show lyrics
55:55
Disc 2 – Act 2
1.
Solitude
01:22
instrumental
2.
Exiled
06:32
Show lyrics
3.
Alone
07:50
Show lyrics
4.
Shadows in the Flame
01:10
Show lyrics
5.
Visions
05:27
Show lyrics
6.
Hope
02:09
Show lyrics
7.
New Beginnings
04:56
Show lyrics
8.
Calm Before the Storm
02:05
Show lyrics
9.
Nostradamus
06:46
Show lyrics
10.
Future of Mankind
08:29
Show lyrics
46:46
Past Members:
John Ellis | Drums (1970-1971) |
See also: ex-Freight | |
K. K. Downing | Guitars (1970-2011) |
See also: KK’s Priest, ex-Freight, ex-MegaPriest, ex-Stagecoach | |
Al Atkins | Vocals (1970-1973) |
See also: Al Atkins, Atkins / May Project, Lyraka, ex-Holy Rage, ex-Blue Condition, ex-Freight, ex-Halfbreed, ex-Judas Priest, ex-Lion, ex-Sugar Stack, ex-The Bitta Sweet, ex-The Reaction | |
Alan “Skip” Moore | Drums (1971-1972, 1975-1977) |
See also: ex-R.P.M., ex-Sundance | |
Chris “Congo” Campbell | Drums (1972-1973) |
See also: ex-Machine, ex-Thunderbay Inn | |
John Hinch | Drums (1973-1975) |
(R.I.P. 2021) See also: ex-Hiroshima, ex-The Bakerloo Blues Line, ex-The Generation, ex-The Pinch | |
Les Binks | Drums (1977-1979) |
See also: Les Binks’ Priesthood, ex-KK’s Priest, ex-Tytan, ex-Fancy, ex-MegaPriest, ex-The Shortlist | |
Dave Holland | Drums (1979-1989) |
(R.I.P. 2018) See also: ex-Al Atkins, ex-Finders Keepers, ex-Trapeze | |
Tim “Ripper” Owens | Vocals (1996-2003) |
See also: Beyond Fear, Charred Walls of the Damned, KK’s Priest, Leviathan Project, The Three Tremors, Tim Ripper Owens, ex-Brainicide, A New Revenge, Dio Disciples, TRED, ex-Iced Earth, ex-Killing Machine, ex-Spirits of Fire, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, ex-Carthagods (live), ex-Twist of Fate, ex-Winters Bane, ex-Arena, ex-British Steel, ex-Hail!, ex-MegaPriest, ex-Seattle, ex-Soulbender, ex-Trinity, ex-American Dog (live) |
Sekrys, March 26th, 2018
Written based on this version: 2008, 2CD, Columbia Records
Every since they started out as a blues rock band, Judas Priest have always diversified and pushed their sound on almost every album they have released. Even criticized releases like Point Of Entry and Turbo are far different than their predecessors (British Steel and Defenders Of The Faith, respectively.) Even the Tim “The Ripper” Owens releases were in styles new for the band. However, Angel Of Retribution was somewhat stagnant on the level of experimentation. I’m sure to most people at the time, Judas Priest was going to be another nostalgia act in the vein of Saxon or AC/DC, forever making minute changes to their style but not really doing anything to it at the same time.
However, the Metal Gods would not put up with this silly notion. To put it simply, Judas Priest was not going to be another lethargic mass of sludge. They released Nostradamus. No one was prepared.
Storytelling and reminiscing aside, Nostradamus sticks out as Judas Priest’s most epic and lengthy studio album, being about an hour and forty minutes. Be forewarned; Lovers of fast and to-the-point speed metal will not be able to comprehend this album and its inner workings. At the same time, this album manages to also feel about half as long as it actually is. The first CD is mostly filled with diverse assortment of tracks, with most being around mid-paced. As noted by other reviewers, the songs do slow down into more steady and slow paced tracks in the second CD; However, don’t let this fool you into thinking the songs are any worse.
Most of the songs on the album are preceded by a interlude or sort of a beginning piece of music. However, they are done exceptionally well; This album would not be the same without nice intros like “The Four Horsemen” or “Sands of Time”, which bring grandiosity and grandness to their coinciding songs. The actual songs on the album are extremely varied. There are slower, more emotional tunes like “Exiled” or “Alone”, and there also a few speedy thrashers (“Persecution” and “Nostradamus”.) However, most of the tracks are mid-paced often laden with keyboards. For example, “Pestilence And Plague”, “Revelations”, and “Future Of Mankind” fit this criteria. They also manage to be the best picks of the album. All of the songs on this album manage to be epic and rather grand.
Rob Halford kind of tries something a bit different on Nostradamus. The only ravenous screams on this album are found on the two previously mentioned fast songs. Instead of being aggressive and raspy, he instead opts for a more operatic tone of voice on this record. He manages to do this with flying colors, only sounding a little strained on the ending segment of “Revelations”. Somewhat like Demolition, the guitars on this album play a much more rhythmic role; Mr. Halford is the main centerpiece more so than on any other Priest record. However, unlike Demolition, this album has some truly god level solos. The one on “Revelations” has to be on of the best I’ve heard by any band, period. Scott Travis and Ian Hill are a bit behind in the mix, unfortunately. It doesn’t make a huge difference to the overall quality of the album, but they should have been a bit louder. The production of this album is rather nice and acoustic; It is very much enjoyable.
The only full length song I have an issue with is “War”. It does feel kind of like an extended interlude in contrast with the whole rest of the other full-length songs. It shows off the orchestra well, but it definitely is the worst track on the album (It still is pretty great, don’t get me wrong.) The most surprising one is “Death”. It’s laden with an epic doom style, and it features a very awesome vocal performance and doomy riffs to boot. I especially like the “Death rides out from the storm…” bit. It is one of the best moments of the record.
Often, innovation and experimentation tend to lead to two very different outcomes. Some bands fail completely, so they backtrack to their previous album to never again do anything different. Others succeed and chisel out a place for themselves to reside in the great halls of heavy metal. Judas Priest further entrenched their greatness and ingenuity with Nostradamus. Though many disagree with me, I know, I think many of those who do would also like to see them attempt to do something different once again, for the remainder of their existence among in the realm of us mere mortals.
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