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Hi Thomas,

Everything you stated in your review is true. Judas Priest have delivered a very uninspired album which leaves me wondering why they ever decided to continue on with Rob? Since his return they really haven't released anything (in terms of an entire album) that has really made me sit up and take notice. There have been a few good tracks but nothing stellar. Looking back now it seems they would have been better off just retiring after Painkiller. Everything since has been lukewarm or just rehashing old material. The production on Redeemer of Souls does make it almost unlistenable. Gone are the days of the distinct guitar tones found on Screaming For Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith that set Priest apart from everyone else. I was really hoping for something better.

Yo Raven! Hope all's well.

Think you're being a bit harsh on this album. As my given score shows (hopefully), don't think it's amazing but it is a pretty solid comeback, and a real grower, let down by production. Easily their best album since Painkiller - a shame that that doesn't mean very much, though.

One the one hand, I'm happy that Judas Priest has returned to ballsy heavy metal, on the other, I regret they didn't make an oldschool 45 minutes album with the best tracks from the Deluxe edition. As I said in the now playing thread, the production is too muddy but it's in no way a bad album, just too long and poorly produced.

75/100

[quote="Goat"]Yo Raven! Hope all's well.

Think you're being a bit harsh on this album. As my given score shows (hopefully), don't think it's amazing but it is a pretty solid comeback, and a real grower, let down by production. Easily their best album since Painkiller - a shame that that doesn't mean very much, though.[/quote]

Hi Goaty! I hope all is well with you too :) I just can't get by the awful production. Ugh...it's killing me.

@Raven: I agree, as I stated, the production is downright amateurish. Riffs and guitars drive this band. They deserve better. I understand how the production is harder to stomach for some than others, but I was able to get by as some of the songs were pretty killer.



I don't disagree with your arguments. This is a solid comeback and lightyears better than Nostradamus which I found pretty horrific to be hones. Hoewever, in my opinion, this is nowhere near an 80, as your score indicates.



This pretty much sums up my feelings. Some above average tunes, some pretty forgettable ones. Too long, poor production. But still a solid outing IMO, hence the score. I'm trying to stick to scores of ten, but I could maybe stretch it to a 72-73 at most.

As far as the production, the guitars are low in the mix, dominated by the bottom end of the drums and bass. Vocally, Halford can still carry a tune but I miss many of his trademark antics like his falsetto shrieking, which is minimally used. There are some decent songs. It has taken several listens for me for some of them to stand out. The first five tracks are pretty good, then the album gets a bit stale. The songs on the bonus disc are ok. If anything I would have to compare it to the effort that Sabbath made with "13". It's nice to see that they can still put out something decent, but time is not on their side for much longer.......

[quote="Thomas"]...the production is downright amateurish. Riffs and guitars drive this band. They deserve better. [/quote]

The production, especially the hollow guitar sound, really kills this album for me. It could have been so much better. Rob sounds okay but everything else is pretty cruddy. As for the songs, there's some nice moments here and there but nothing near their 80's brilliance. To be honest, the band hasn't released anything noteworthy since Painkiller. Halford used to be a giant among metal vocalists with the Tipton/Downing combo generating power grooves so infectious that your neck couldn't help but move. But somewhere along the way, they lost their swagger. Halford was no longer the dynamic frontman that he used to be and his live presence has all but vanished. The riffs that were so vital to the Priest sound became stiff and repetitive. In short, they just weren't, and aren't, fun anymore.

I found this to be a mixed bag with some strong moments. I personally prefer my Priest creative and melodic, so I found a lot to like here. To be honest, I found the Painkiller style tracks to be the least inspired.

My favorite tracks would be March of the Damned, Sword of Damocles and Cold Blooded. I just can't get the March of the Damned chorus out of my head. Tears of Blood, Creatures and the title track are close seconds.

Tracks I could probably do without are Dragonaut and Hell & Back. Simply too plodding and uninspired.

I didn't really pay that much attention to the production. It sounded fine cranked in my premium car sound system :)

80/100 for me. Had it been shortened to my favorite 11 songs, perhaps more.

I agree with General. This is a fine album with some obvious forgettable tracks. Like Zad said, it's a solid album. I would rate it around a 78.

I have been listening to this one at least once a day for 20 days now - they definitely put more effort into this one, both Halford and Tipton. I actually wouldn't mind catching them on tour just to hear some new tracks.

It's a step up from Nostradamus, no doubt. I just wish Andy Sneap had produced it.

I doubt it would have been as good as the new Accept, but the record would have sounded so much better with Sneap at the board.

The new Accept is better also because the songs are better, you're right.

I need to hear this new Accept album...

You do. You really do.