I was completely blown away with Judas Priest. What a show! I was not expecting Halford to nail all the highs and he proved me wrong. With exception to the song "Painkiller", which has a HUGE high pitch part that sustains for at least 10 seconds, he nailed ALL of the highs.
With KK Downing retiring from Judas Priest a couple of years ago they brought in Ritchie Faulkner. Faulkner is a young, British, player who was unbelievable. I was more impressed by his constant engagement with the crowd from pointing to many in the audience, to encouraging them to fist pump to Judas Priest classics, to his incredible playing ability.
With KK Downing retiring from Judas Priest a couple of years ago they brought in Ritchie Faulkner. Faulkner is a young, British, player who was unbelievable. I was more impressed by his constant engagement with the crowd from pointing to many in the audience, to encouraging them to fist pump to Judas Priest classics, to his incredible playing ability.
This was the second show in two nights for Judas Priest and was only 80% full but as always metal fans are awesome and very down to earth. That was proven throughout the evening when many fans on the floor picked up a fan in a wheelchair and lofted him above their heads so that he could have a great view of the show. You don't get better, more courteous, fans than at rock/metal shows. They are all first class.
I was sitting in the balcony for this show while the majority of the fans were on the floor going crazy. I prefer to enjoy the music without having to have beer spilled on me along with pushing and shoving. Am I glad I did because I had an AWESOME seat that allowed me to see the whole stage very clearly.
For this show, Judas Priest couldn't have crafted a better setlist they played songs like "Screaming for Vengeance" that have not been played in over thirty year all the way to many track off their awesome new album "Redeemer of Souls".
For this show, Judas Priest couldn't have crafted a better setlist they played songs like "Screaming for Vengeance" that have not been played in over thirty year all the way to many track off their awesome new album "Redeemer of Souls".
SETLIST:
Intro - War Pigs (Black Sabbath song)
Encore:
Encore 2:
Outro: Beginning of the End
Intro - War Pigs (Black Sabbath song)
- Battle Cry
- Dragonaut
- Metal Gods
- Desert Plains
- Victim of Changes
- Halls of Valhalla
- The Rage
- Turbo Lover
- Redeemer of Souls
- Beyond the Realms of Death
- Screaming for Vengeance
- Breaking the Law
- Hell Bent for Leather
Encore:
- The Hellion
- Electric Eye
- You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Encore 2:
- Painkiller
- Living After Midnight
Outro: Beginning of the End
Judas Priest are one of the originators of the heavy metal genre right up there with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin and thus it would be impossible to play all their best songs unless they had four hours to play. God bless Rob Halford! What a trooper the guy is pushing almost 70, has had multiple surgeries, but STILL get out there with a cane and NAILS every song (except Painkiller) to a tee. He's amazing and a true inspiration. Let's also not forget the rest of the band: Scott Travis (drums) & Ian Hill (Bass) were absolutely rock solid in their playing and Glenn Tipton was incredible and very enthusiastic too.
video: "dragonaut"
rating for show....
The Band
Outstanding! Big props to Ritchie Faulkner (guitar) who has replaced the retired KK Downing. Faulkner was super enthusiastic and really got the crowd going with tons of interaction. Also, a big compliment to Scott Travis (drums) who has played with Judas Priest for around 25 years he's the unsung hero. Him and Ian Hill (Bass) are often overlooked for how great they are. They were both rock solid and it was also great to see Travis get the crowd into it by singing background vocals, asking the crowd what they wanted to hear, and with his FANTASTIC playing ability. He makes playing the songs look so effortless. What a great surprise to have "Screaming for Vengeance" played! The song has not been played live by Judas Priest since the early 80's.
The Crowd:
A metal crowd is one of the most down to earth crowds you will ever meet no egos or attitude - except for the music. At one point of the show the crowd lifted a fan in a wheelchair above the crowd so that he could enjoy the show - that's why metal fans are the greatest fans. The crowd, very enthusiastically, sang along with all the big hits and cheered all night for Judas Priest. Considering that this was the second show in a row at the Hard Rock it was a pretty good turnout as the theatre was about 80% full.
If you ever get a chance to see Judas Priest live - DO IT. Was totally an awesome experience.
Audience Interaction & Engagement: A+
Quality and Diversity of Music: A+
Stage Presence of Band A+
Energy from the Crowd: A+
Notable Exceptions: Delivering the Goods, The Ripper, Exciter
Overall Rating for Show: A+
Outstanding! Big props to Ritchie Faulkner (guitar) who has replaced the retired KK Downing. Faulkner was super enthusiastic and really got the crowd going with tons of interaction. Also, a big compliment to Scott Travis (drums) who has played with Judas Priest for around 25 years he's the unsung hero. Him and Ian Hill (Bass) are often overlooked for how great they are. They were both rock solid and it was also great to see Travis get the crowd into it by singing background vocals, asking the crowd what they wanted to hear, and with his FANTASTIC playing ability. He makes playing the songs look so effortless. What a great surprise to have "Screaming for Vengeance" played! The song has not been played live by Judas Priest since the early 80's.
The Crowd:
A metal crowd is one of the most down to earth crowds you will ever meet no egos or attitude - except for the music. At one point of the show the crowd lifted a fan in a wheelchair above the crowd so that he could enjoy the show - that's why metal fans are the greatest fans. The crowd, very enthusiastically, sang along with all the big hits and cheered all night for Judas Priest. Considering that this was the second show in a row at the Hard Rock it was a pretty good turnout as the theatre was about 80% full.
If you ever get a chance to see Judas Priest live - DO IT. Was totally an awesome experience.
Audience Interaction & Engagement: A+
Quality and Diversity of Music: A+
Stage Presence of Band A+
Energy from the Crowd: A+
Notable Exceptions: Delivering the Goods, The Ripper, Exciter
Overall Rating for Show: A+