Thursday 9th June

Judas Priest - Festival Stage (4/5)

It was only two years since Judas Priest last headlined this festival, third time all in all. Last time wasn’t bad, but it didn’t rock my world either. And I love the Priest so I want and need them to when I see them live, to not be disappointed.

And this is Priest’s goodbye tour, meaning they won’t do anymore big tours, just the odd gig here and there and of course albums. With that we received the news that original guitarist K.K. Downing jumped the ship and had been replaced by Richard Faulkner from Lauren Harris band. Not good news at all.

We could however not knock him or this new lineup before giving them a chance. And boy, did they take it. So along comes a bunch of good news.

First of all, Priest rocked. HARD!

Second, Rob Halford’s voice sounded better than in a really long time.

Third, they didn’t go all Kiss on us with a predictable and safe setlist.

And fourth, Downing wasn’t missed that much - Ok, visually it wasn’t the same, but Faulkner did a very good job and soundwise, you couldn’t even hear the difference. Well done.

And then to the songs. Of course the hits must be played. ”Metal Gods”, ”Breaking The Law”, ”Victim Of Changes”, ”Electric Eye”and ”Painkiller” were all there and they really had to be. ”Living After Midnight” wasn’t which was wierd, but that song is disposable. Cooler though were the more obscure choices.

Opener ”Rapid Fire”, ”Starbreaker”, ”The Sentinel” and ”Blood Red Skies” are all songs I’ve never heard live before and they were all so welcome in the set.

There is still life in the Priest and this night they felt more alive and kicking than in a very long time. A perfect ending to an almost perfect day.






Check them out :
http://judaspriest.com

Review : Jon Wilmenius

Photos : Tallee Savage
www.savagebeauty.se

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