When Pete Townshend penned the line “I hope I die before I get old” in 1965, he never could have imagined that 70 would become the new 30 in 2024. An industry that has spent copious amounts of time and money on the prioritization of youth is now getting maximum returns from artists whose abilities continue to defy conventional wisdom.
Just listen to Rob Halford’s vocal performance throughout Judas Priest’s new album “Invincible Shield” and try to convince yourself that he doesn’t sound even more authoritative than he did decades ago. You can’t, because there’s an argument to be made that his talent combined with the gravitas that stems from a lifetime spent in the heavy metal trenches makes every note hit harder.
He’s singing like the ’70s in his seventies, which is exactly what fans want to hear. “Panic Attack” and “The Serpent and the King” light the fuse early, as he hits that upper register with ease atop scorching guitar work from Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner. Things slow down slightly on “Devil in Disguise,” a song that falls right into that “Stained Class”/”Hell Bent for Leather” sweet spot, but “Gates of Hell,” “Crown of Thorns,” and “Trial by Fire” whisk the listener back into the fray with a vengeance.
Enough can’t be said about how instrumental Andy Sneap has been in revitalizing the band’s studio output and he turns what worked so well on 2018’s “Firepower” up to 11 here by letting Priest be Priest. No frills, no tinkering, no experimentation for its own sake.
Trying to choose a favorite is futile given that there are no skippable tracks, but perhaps a weekend on repeat will sway you one way or another.
“Invincible Shield” is available now wherever music is disseminated, but do us all a favor and pay for a physical copy.
Judas Priest – Panic Attack (Official Video) (youtube.com)
Judas Priest – Trial By Fire (Official Video) (youtube.com)
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns (Official Video) (youtube.com)
Music N' Other Drugs 
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