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| Track by Track Review
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Exciter
Starting with what sounds like the same harmonic chord used in the intro to Yes' "Roundabout", as this ends and the song begins it is with what deceptively sounds like a finale. However, as that winds through the band rips out into a frantic rocker that comes across here a bit raw and ratehr quirky. It is the old school metal world at its finest. |
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Running Wild
Never really a favorite of mine, this one is not a bad song, but it just doesn't stand out. Still, it is one of the earliest of Priest's anthemic pieces, and it does rock. Besides, there is that cool inimitable old JP guitar sound present, and the guitars leading up to the outro are very tasty, if a little noodly. |
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Sinner
Coming in with whirling, echoey, screeching guitars, the rhythm section enters and this Judas Priest classic is on its way. In its early segments it is a rather straightforward, somewhat raw, old school metal cut. Halford is really the piece that gives this section its magic. The bursts of guitar soloing at the ends of various lines of vocals later serves to intensify the charm of the piece. As it moves into the slower segment later, the guitar sounds lend a tone that is hard to pin down, part psychedelic, part space rock, but all killer Priest metal. After this slower, quite powerful segment, a quirky riffing segue pulls us back into the earlier sections of the piece for a chorus. After that the band just sets out to shred for the remainder! At 7 ½ minutes in length, this truly is a mini-epic, and nu metal bands could learn a lot from listening to this. |
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The Ripper
Although some of the charm of the studio version is lost in the live performance, particularly the vocals that seemed at times to lurk behind some hidden corner, this is still a strong and spooky performance as presented here. |
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Green Manalishi (With the Two Pronged Crown)
Looking to early (pre-Buckingham/Nicks) Fleetwood Mac, this is a cover that certainly surpasses the original. This rocker was trademark Priest, and Halford's high-pitched vocal excursion on the outro is nearly unparalleled. The dueling guitar solo is just one other thing that makes this such a killer, must have track. |
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Diamonds and Rust
If Fleetwood Mac was odd as metal cover territory, Joan Baez is nearly incomprehensible. Priest truly makes this their own. Although certainly well written, JP really breathes new life into it. |
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Victim of Changes
One of the best cuts Priest have ever done, this live take is stronger even than the studio version. This is certainly old school metal at its finest. |
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Genocide
Some parts of this cut lean towards the mediocre, but the "sin after sin, I have endured…" slower segment is truly magic and elevates the whole piece. The live version here is quite strong, and although different in texture than the studio take, certainly is an equal to it. This is another winner. |
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Tyrant
Never one of my favorite Priest number, this one does have a lot of energy and vitality, particularly in this form. |
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