Judas Priest's Redeemer of Souls Follow Up

So I have been listening more to his new album by Priest, and can safely say this is vocally and musically as close to a new Iron Maiden album as you can get without Bruce actually singing and Harris writing the material.

Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls - First Listen

I have been dreading this album for some time. I actually enjoyed the prog rock metal opera that was Nostradamus. I enjoy concept albums and even more so when established bands create them too. I enjoyed listening to the other styles of music the members wanted to create as well as discovering new sides to the band and their playing and vocal style.

It was released on the back of a huge reunion and whilst afterwards they released good heavy metal albums, they werent great.

Well Redeemer of Souls falls into that same, not great category, that has plagued the band since its reunion with Rob Halford. And the only shining light in the last 10 or so years has been Nostradamus.

Ive listened to the first 3 tracks and have nothing amazing to report. Good guitars, heavy riffing, great vocals and the second track almost an Iron Maiden sounding song, but one thing that rings true on every song on every listen is how average the music is.

I found nothing new in their music, and maybe it will grow on me, but I found myself wanting the record to end.

Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls

After their interesting Nostradus concept album last time around, and considering Judas Priest's track record ever since Painkiller, I have always been worried and concerned about any new release they make. It was Halford's solo albums that really set the bar for what a hard sound JP should be aiming for, but equally I miss the style of metal sound they had on such albums as Defender of the Faith and British Steel. Hard hitting music without too much production and embellishment.

Here's hoping all the excitement and media push on this is worth the hyperbole.