Music

Album of the week: "Firepower" - Judas Priest's masterpiece shortly before their 50th anniversary

09/03/2018 written by Monika Linder
One year before their golden anniversary, Judas Priest pull off a masterstroke. Back to the old fire, full speed ahead! The spearhead of heavy metal proves itself once again.

The band

Judas Priest was founded in 1969 as a blues band in Birmingham. But on their second album in 1976, the band laid the foundations for heavy metal with songs like "The Ripper". The hammering background of Birmingham's steel industry became the heartbeat, the tandem guitar riff the trademark of their records. American listeners in particular wanted this rebellious sound - and the band reached an audience of millions. From 1980 to 1992, Judas Priest were one of the driving forces behind the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. With albums such as "Point of Entry", "Screaming for Vengeance" and the legendary "Painkiller", they cemented their place in the genre. Then came the rift.Rob Halford suffered more and more from the burden of having to hide his homosexuality and left the band. From 1997 to 2003, Tim Owens took over the microphone. With 18 albums under their belt, a new guitarist and old faces, many things have changed in the band's 49-year history, but one thing has not: if you say heavy metal, you must also say Judas Priest.

The album

With Tom Allon, the Englishmen have brought their old regular producer back on board after three decades, and it pays off: "Firepower" is more in your face than its gloomy two predecessors. According to the band, this is due in part to K. K. Downing's successor Richie Faulkner. He has masterfully managed to incorporate his own style when composing without forgetting what makes Judas Priest special. The double axe riffs are once again more clearly based on classic heavy metal and despite the heavy metal guitar elements, the songs drive forward. The rhythm section sounds like pounding steel mills - as befits Judas Priest. The guys recorded around 25 songs over several months - and 14 finally made it onto the record. Even after more than 40 years, the band doesn't seem to be short of ideas. Nevertheless, the band cannot rule out the possibility that "Firepower" is the last album of their career. According to them, they no longer plan too far in advance.

The verdict

The unmistakable sound of Judas Priest is much more recognizable on this album. It almost seems as if the band just wanted to get a running start with the last albums so that they could achieve the unbelievable: to raise the bar again after 49 years. New elements are not missing this time either, but the band have only used them to accentuate the mix and have done it brilliantly. Five out of five heavy metal stars for this masterpiece!

The recommended tracks

Firepower - Classic heavy metal anthem, the title track is immediately catchy

Evil Never Dies - Take everything you love about Judas Priest and put it into one song: Voilà!

Necromancer - belongs on the next The Walking Dead soundtrack

Lone Wolf - The song that James Hetfield from Metallica will secretly sing in the shower, bet?

No Surrender - The most beautiful guitar solo on the album.

Traitors Gate - and the winner has been found - the most multi-faceted song that you haven't really heard yet with just one listen.

Judas Priest live

On 26.6.18 they play at the Samsung Hall Zurich. Maybe, but hopefully not their farewell concert. Megadeth will be the supporting act.

JUDAS PRIEST LIVE
Tue June 26, 2018, Samsung Hall Zurich
TICKETS

Translated with DeepL