SO WHAT DO WE THINK OF THE NEW JUDAS PRIEST RECORD?
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 10:38am by Vince Neilstein
So Judas Priest release their new double-disc concept record Nostradamus today in the U.S. (yesterday in the rest of the world), and we’ve barely talked about it here at the MetalSucks Mansion. Why? I’m not really sure. Frankly, I haven’t even listened to the whole thing yet. For some reason, I just can’t motivate myself to be interested.
Iann Robinson had great things to say. Metal-Temple.com loved it. Axl said to me yesterday that “it sounds like a Judas Priest record, as opposed to Angel of Retribution,” but ultimately seemed to have a luke-warm reaction.
So what do we think? Is it a masterpiece or a for-fans-only sprawling lullaby?
-VN
Ok let me state from the outset, I’ve been a Judas Priest fan since the late 70’s. In fact, ‘British Steel’ was probably the first (true) Metal album I ever purchased. An absolute classic album that has stood the test of time and is still every bit amazing now, as it was then. Having said that, the band’s latest release, a double-album concept based on Michel de Nostredame (whose name is often ‘Latinized’ as Nostradamus) – is nothing but a bloated, pretentious borefest of the highest order.
I’ve really struggled to get into this opus and as much as I friggn love my Metal the old-school way – there is just nothing to get excited about with this release. It’s so embarrassingly cheesy and reflects a band becoming a parody of itself in the highest order. This is Spinal Tap. Make no mistake about it, this is Spinal Tap come to life but at least the Tap have the ability to keep one awake. This album does not.
So freaking sad. Regardless, I will be at the band’s forthcoming Australian shows. Fingers crossed we don’t get too many tracks from this pompous, bloated, overblown, grandiose and ridiculous release.
It’s a masterpiece dude.It’s a mster piece!
Ican agree with the dude above.It is definetely not “British Steel” but this is a concept album.As an album I’d give Nostradamus 4 out of 5 and as a concept I’ll give it 7.65 out of 5.Because this(Nostradamus concept attempts) has been done before but never in this frame of work.
I’ve written an analysis of it at my blog,but it’s very long and more of a literature enthusiasts thing rather than a metal head thing.
I agree, the record is kind of bloated. The double-disc could easily be trimmed to a single, and would play a lot better.
Still, there are some great songs on there. I cannot wait to see these guys at Jones Beach in August.
I have almost always loved Priest, going back (a lot) of years. “Almost” because from Turbo thru the horrible Ripper years they sucked. But how did Angel of Retribution NOT sound like a Priest record? It was Priest with a whole lot of Roy Z thrown in, which is a very good thing.
As for the new double disc, as soon as I heard the pretentious-sounding title, and that it was a “concept” album, I’ve been lukewarm. Angel of Retribution has one stinker, Loch Ness, and my fear is that a concept album would be 90 minutes of that. With the exception of Operation: Mindcrime and 7th Son of a 7th Son, I’ve found concept albums to be mostly boring, vanity plays.
wouldn’t use it as a coaster!
i forced myself to listen to all 23 songs of this cd…with a very open mind and i have to say i was extremely bored and very disappointed with it…there are about 6 songs on this album that even halfway resemble a real judas priest album…the rest sounds like a half assed attempt at a pink floyd type rock opera…
i give this album a 2.5/5 stars
“boring” is the word to describe this album.
I don’t think bands should always stick to their “early days” sound, but at least don’t get worst!
Underwhelmed.
Boring. Completely and utterly boring, save for the title track. Not even the free concert ticket that comes with this could make me buy it
I like it in spite of reading mediocre reviews of it before buying it. I didn’t go in expecting anything more than what I already knew…it’s a concept album. While every track isn’t for me, the several that I like make it worthwhile. By the way, the free ticket that comes with it is a bonus for me!!
Maybe this is one where you buy the individual good songs on iTunes and say screw the concept part of the album.
I agree that the record is pretty dull. This was a Maiden/King Diamond kind of idea. definetly not for priest. JP are at their best when they stay in the “Reliable” area, ala Motorhead and AC/DC. every time Judas Priest tries to experiment or broaden the sound , it blows up in their faces.
I would love to hear this record. Not just because I’m a Priest fan. But, I’m a huge, HUGE fan of concept records. I love the concept of being able to listen to music and follow a story line. Makes the music come alive.
I picked up Nostradamus tonight on the way home.
I listened to the first three or four songs so far. I haven’t heard anything so far that has blown me away. The songs aren’t bad, but this could be one of those releases that take a while to grow on you.
I plan to spin this a lot over the next couple of weeks before I give this one a review.
Rob Rockitt
Hard Rock Hideout
It’s not a Priest record. It’s the real definition of a rock opera. If you can listen with an open mind, you will see it’s a masterpiece
I can’t get past track 6. It’s not bad, just sorta “meh”
It’s very good. FUCK ALL YALL
Ah there you heard Jason.It’s really more of a Rock Opera-I agree.
If you know your stuff you know that bands like Stratovarius have done this kind of thing,but never at this scale or this successfully!
But for the length and as an “album” rather than a conept album or a Rock Opera like Jason calls it,it is a bit long!