While UK fans of Judas Priest may have had the short end of the stick for live dates in recent years, the output of videos and promotion leading up to the release of their 19th studio album, Invincible Shield, and first UK tour in 9 years has given us plenty to whet the appetite. We’ve been treated to four singles along with their respective videos ahead of the album, and as tasters for the album they have served well but listening to them here in the context of the album they are much more deserving of attention.
The album opens with the lead single ‘Panic Attack’ where melodic lead guitars unfold into monstrous chugging riffs and thunderous bass and drums. By the time Halford’s vocals kick there’s a certain amount of comfort that Halford’s vocals have lost none of their potency and this is undeniably classic priest material. As if to confirm this, harmony guitars preceed countering lead runs that can’t help draw the mind back to Painkiller.
The latest single ‘The Serpent And The King’ follows with a subject that has always provided Halford with a source of lyrics; the battle of good vs evil, God vs the Devil. Again, there’s some ferocious lead guitar here with that familiar Priest balance of taste and aggression with great tone. Richie Faulkner proving why he’s such an essential ingredient to the modern Priest sound.
‘Invincible Shield’ clocks in at almost six and a half minutes and is the kind of Priest epic that grows on you the more you listen to it and the lyrics “Invincible, can never be divided, we’re invincible our masters are united, Invincible, Nothing can stand in our way” are sure fire sing-a-long crowd pleasers so it’ll be interesting to see if this one makes it into the setlist on March’s UK dates.
‘Crown Of Horns’ gives a little respite in terms of pace. Still wonderfully heavy yet uplifting allowing Halford’s vocals to soar over the underlying power chords. ‘As God As My Witness’ restores the ferocity with Ian Hill and Scott Travis a full speed. Religion and the radical factions within it is as old as time itself and the unspeakable things that people will do in the name of it makes for a fascinating subject and that trademark Priest style of punctuating the rhythm section to give extra emphasis on the crushing guitar riffs gives the song the space to breathe adding to its dynamism.
‘Trial by Fire’ and ‘Escape From Reality’ maintain the quality and are more classic Priest fodder and while ‘Freewheel Burning’ may be their ultimate in driving songs ‘Sons Of Thunder’ with it’s big chorus is sure to keep the bikers happy.
By the time it reaches its’ conclusion with ‘Giants In The Sky’ you’re left in no doubt to the quality of the material; another tour de force of majestic metal from the Priest canon. It continues the renaissance that Priest have found with ‘Redeemer Of Souls’ and ‘Firepower’, and time will tell but initial thoughts are that Invincible Shield edges ahead of those two preceding albums.
As with all bands that you follow over a long period of time, it’s focuses your perception on age as you get older. 35 years ago, probably more, I would have been lying on my bed in my parents house having discovered metal music, playing the likes of Stained Class and Screaming For Vengeance. I remember thinking ‘I’ve got to see these bands before they call it day – they must be approaching their forties!’. Yet here we are with most of the band past pensionable age and those youthful expectations would have envisaged long country walks, making homemade chutney and smoking a pipe by the fire. Thankfully that’s not the case and Priest continue to forge the most fervent firepower metal in all Christendom. The album is released on 8th March. Turn it up, enjoy it and rejoice in all it’s glory.
The UK tour starts on 11th March. Two special ‘in conversation’ evenings take place before in London and Coventry.
- Invincible Shield is released via Columbia Records on 8th March 2024.
Tracklist: 
1 Panic Attack
2 The Serpent and the King
3 Invincible Shield
4 Devil in Disguise
5 Gates of Hell
6 Crown of Horns
7 As God is my Witness
8 Trial By Fire
9 Escape From Reality
10 Sons of Thunder
11 Giants in the Sky
