1. Dragonaut
2. Redeemer of Souls
3. Halls of Valhalla
4. Sword of Damocles
5. March of the Damned
6. Down in Flames
7. Hell & Back
8 Cold Blooded
9 Metalizer
10. Crossfire
11. Secret of the Dead
12. Battle Cry
13. Beginning of the End
Deluxe Edition Disc 2
1. Snakebite
2. Tears of Blood
3. Creatures
4. Bring It On
5. Never Forget
Finally, Judas Priest released a new album. Since that controversial album, "Nostradamus", metal fans were waiting for their METAL album. I personally liked "Nostradamus", but it was not a typical metal album that people would expect as the members called "rock opera". Since then, they went on long tour after tour. Somewhere in my mind, I was afraid that "Nostradamus" would be the last album when they announced "Epitaph Tour". However, they came back with a pure metal album.
To be honest, I did not have much impression when I heard the entire album for the first time. It went so fast even though the album contained 18 songs. I guess it did not have as much impact as "Angel of Retribution". Nevertheless, as I listened to the album more and more, I realized the essence of Judas Priest everywhere in the album, and this album brings all of their musical
When I first listened to "Angel of Retribution", that album recaptured their music all the way back to "British Steel". Nevertheless, this album takes us back all the way to 70's. The songs such as tracks 10, 13, and 4, 5, in disc 2. They showed their extensiveness of music at the same time as pure metal. If you are expecting the same singing as "Painkiller", probably you would be disappointed. Rob cannot singing like before, yet he still has attractive and strong voice in mid-low range.
I guess the reception largely depends on which aspects of Judas Priest you are expecting. I think they released a killer album at this point of their career.
☆☆☆☆
