Description
Double album on red vinyls with gatefold cover and poster
When Judas Priest last toured Australia (in 2008), their performance was apparently so lackluster and turgid that even die-hard fans who probably have the band’s trident-like symbol tattooed on their dongs were left underwhelmed. So while there was still a high level of excitement the British metal titans were again in the country, some may have been wondering if it was going to be worth the 100+ bills the tickets were going for. In the end, no one should have been concerned. This album captures the band at Enmore Theatre in Sydney on the 24th of February 2015 when the toured Australia with DragonForce as support act. Black Sabbath’s War Pigs was the cue for the lights to go down and as Battle Cry descended on the crowd Scott Travers led Judas Priest to the stage, counting them with in booming kicks. The Enmore is in full production mode, the stage wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling with led screens roiling with fireballs and flame as Judas Priest rip into Dragonaut from Redeemer Of Souls as an opener. With most of the band lurching toward their 70s, recent recruit Richie Faulkner — whose remarkable physical resemblance to KK Downing isn’t lost on the crowd — injects a youthful spark, sharing the soloing spotlight that has for so long been Glenn Tipton’s alone. Into Metal Gods and Rob Halford is in top vocal form as he stalks the stage in his trademark leathers with the audience in the palm of his gloved hand. Faulkner is off the leash for most of the set, pulling moves and guitar shapes befitting one of the world’s most legendary metal bands. As Victim Of Changes sprawls out, Halford revels in the opportunity to prove he is still no slouch when it comes to high-end screams and the Enmore joins in with full-bodied roars of their own. Just like the screens behind them, Judas Priest is on fire tonight and while the set-list steers clear of any real high-end stuff there are still plenty of gems. Beyond The Realms Of Death allows each member to shine, Turbo Lover and Breaking The Law gets the entire room singing along and the roar of engines fills the theatre as Halford rides in on his gleaming chrome machine for Hell Bent For Leather to close the main part of the set. The encore features a rousing version of You’ve Got Another Thing Comin with Faulkner grabbing the spotlight with an epic extended solo in which he throws Downing-like shapes all around the room. The final hammer came down on the night with Living After Midnight taking a turn into Defenders Of The Faith as, in front of a crowd that included Billy Corgan, Marilyn Manson, Dino from Fear Factory and everyone from Exodus, Judas Priest proved themselves to be the epitome of a live heavy metal band. A far cry from the disappointment of 2008, they were on the very top of their game tonight. Defenders of the faith, indeed.
Track list:
1. Battle Cry
2. Dragonaut
3. Metal Gods
4. Devils Child
5. Victim Of Changes
6. Halls Of Valhalla
7. Love Bites
8. March Of The Damned
9. Turbo Lover
10. Redeemer Of Souls
11. Beyond The Realms Of Death
12. Jawbreaker
13. Breaking The Law
14. Hell Bent For Leather
15. Youve Got Another Thing Comin
16. Living After Midnight
17. Defenders Of The Faith