Overblown. Ludicrous. Camp.
No metal band in history has ever had such qualities in such vast abundance as Judas Priest – and that’s meant as a huge compliment. Nearly 40 years into their illustrious career, the Birmingham Barons of Bombast are still among the genre’s elite – at once both inspirational and challenging. Never afraid to take risks, both musical and personal, Priest have embraced changing times, yet always remained a steadfast reminder of great traditions.
But their new album, Nostradamus...
a metal opera? Surely, they’ve stepped off the precipice, and are about to try walking on air? A plummet is inevitable...
Or is it? “We never think that we’re gonna fail,” insists guitarist KK Downing. “After finishing the Angel Of Retribution tour, there were those who said to us, ‘So what are you gonna do now?’ As if they thought we had nothing left to offer. So, what have we done? A concept album.
It’s over 100 minutes long, on two CDs and three vinyl records...
A ‘fuck you’ to all those who thought Priest were past it!” is an exhaustive metal adventure, based on the life and works of the legendary 16th-century astrologer and alleged seer (Nostradamus never referred to himself as a prophet), a man whose fame rings down through the centuries, because of supposed predictions such as the rise of Adolf Hitler, the 9/11 attack and even the death of Diana, Princess Of Wales. In terms of subject matter and the musical approach, Priest’s 16th studi.