Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls
Epic Records
Heavy Metal
13 songs (62:11)
Release year: 2014
Judas Priest, Epic Records
Reviewed by Thomas
Major event

It seems like an aeon has passed since Judas Priest released Nostradamus and announced that they were calling it quits following the retirement of axe-wielder KK Downing and the two-year Epitaph farewell tour. Here they are however, fresh with Lauren Harris’ guitarist Richie Faulkner on board, and with him an apparent breath of life into their seemingly deflated careers. Redeemer of Souls has actually been in the works since 2011 and was originally scheduled to be released in 2012. Obviously, this did not happen and Halford called for patience among fans as the album would be ready when they felt it was ready. Two years later, and here we are.

Redeemer of Souls is in several ways a blander and less rich album compared to Nostradamus. Where the latter was pompous and epic, this is more dumbed down and straight-forward. That said, I was in stark opposition to Nostradamus, dumbed down and straight-forward is how I prefer my Priest. That said, Redeemer of Souls comes off as surprisingly flat, even though there are several nods to classic era Priest. The production, and especially the guitars sound downright murky, which is a shame, because Tipton and Faulkner is an interesting duo. Faulkner is a very skilled guitarist who has wasted his talents with Lauren Harris the last couple of years. Amateurish production prevents him from potentially coming into his own here, and the leads sound a bit all over the place. Furthermore, Ian Hill’s ever so steady bass-work is more or less inaudible. Halford sounds like himself, although a couple of years older, while Scott Travis slams loyally along circa mid-pace.

As for the songs, the album starts of solidly with Dragonaut, the steady title-track and the riff-heavy Halls of Valhalla and Sword of Damocles. All of which are akin to mostly everything from British Steel to Painkiller while not quite possessing the same edge. Following the half-assed, Sabbath-y March of the Damned, where Halford really pushes the nasal Ozzy tone of voice, the mind really begins to wander. Thus, there are really nothing more to write home about except the anthemic lightning-strike that is Battle Cry which concludes the album barring the horrific ballad Beginning of the End.

All in all this is a solid if not a bit of an average album, nothing new, but certainly some classic Judas Priest to be enjoyed. Sadly it suffers from poor production, and the fact that the album is littered with fillers, cause me to dock them a solid chunk of points.

Killing Songs :
Halls of Valhalla, Sword of Damocles, Battle Cry
Thomas quoted 70 / 100
Goat quoted 78 / 100
Other albums by Judas Priest that we have reviewed:
Judas Priest - Firepower reviewed by Goat and quoted 90 / 100
Judas Priest - Killing Machine / Hell Bent for Leather reviewed by Goat and quoted CLASSIC
Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance reviewed by Goat and quoted CLASSIC
Judas Priest - Stained Class reviewed by Goat and quoted CLASSIC
Judas Priest - Sin After Sin reviewed by Phil and quoted CLASSIC
To see all 21 reviews click here
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