Firepower

Some really great tracks, but 14 songs is too much of a stretch especially with the filler tracks. Still a decent album.

Wow, what a record, absolutely stunning from start to end. The riffs just keep coming and the solo's are spine shredding, bass and drums tie everything perfectly together and Rob Halford's vocals are flawless. The guitar tone and production are gorgeous and rich, if you love metal you need this album in your collection now!

Wir leben in merkwürdigen Zeiten. Die Generation, die eigentlich fürs Abrocken zuständig wäre, ist teils zu Soja-Latte-saufenden, dauerbetroffenen Schlappschwänzen mit Laktoseintoleranz, teils zu bausparenden Spießern und teils zu steinewerfenden Zivilisationshassern verkommen. Dafür zeigen ein paar Opas, die längst ihren hochverdienten Ruhestand genießen könnten, diesen Waschlappen, wo der Frosch die Locken hat.„Firepower“ wird vollkommen zu Recht in einem Atemzug mit „Painkiller“ genannt. Ich füge noch „Angel of Retribution“ zu dieser heiligen Dreifaltigkeit hinzu, nachdem „Nostradamus“ und „Redeemer“ keinen bleibenden Eindruck auf mich gemacht haben.Dieses Album nun leistet sich schlicht keine Schwächen. Man kann es komplett durchlaufen lassen und wird zu keinem Zeitpunkt die Skip-Taste drücken wollen. Inhaltlich wird hier Priest in Reinkultur geboten, und zwar in fast schon übertriebener Perfektion. Priest sind nicht Dream Theater, aber was sie tun, kulminiert hier zur höchsten Blüte. Die absolut „tighte“ Produktion paßt kongenial dazu. Und was Rob Halford hier mit Ende 60 zu Protokoll gibt, legt die Vermutung nahe, daß er gar kein Mikrophon gebraucht hat. OK, der Gag ist von Spinal Tap geklaut, aber trotzdem. Unfaßbar.Ich wünsche mir noch viele Priest-Alben, aber das vorliegende erscheint mir nicht mehr steigerungsfähig. Wenn ich für den Rest meines Lebens nur noch zehn Metal-Alben hören dürfte, wäre dieses unbedingt dabei.(Die anderen 9: Black Sabbaths "Headless Cross", "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" von Virgin Steele, "Powerslave" von Maiden, Metallicas "Black Album", "Images and Words" von Dream Theater, Whitesnakes "1987", "Edge of Thorns" von Savatage, "Priest Live", "Painkiller“, "Angel of Retribution")Und angesichts der derzeitigen gesellschaftspolitischen Entwicklung erscheinen Nackenbrecher-Hymnen wie "Guardians" und "No Surrender" wie Mahnungen. Bzw. wie Manifeste einer Lebenseinstellung, die mittlerweile fast vollkommen in geistloser Heiteitei-Wischiwaschi-Beliebigkeitssoße ersäuft worden ist.Ein Monument des Metal!

18 studio albums in, and Metal Pioneers Judas Priest are still relevant. There are many bands from the past who are making great music nowadays. Kreator have been as good in the past 10 years as they ever were in the ’80s. You can add Saxon and Accept to that list. Queensryche since Todd joined too.Priest’s best moments on Redeemer Of Souls and Angel Of Retribution were in that sort of sphere as well but not to the unquestionable level of the above mentioned renaissances. Judging from how magazines, podcasts, blogs and websites I care about have reacted to Firepower however, I was expecting seriously great things when pressing play for the first time.I’ve been hammering this record non-stop in the car for about half a month now, repeat listening to it over and over again. Its taken a while to grow on me as I had such high expectations after the last Saxon album and also all the hype surrounding this, that it almost did more harm than good setting me unrealistic expectations, but after taking a good long time to really digest it and understand how I feel about it, I can definitely confirm Firepower is a bit of a banger.There are a few moments of variety, such as the slower closer ‘Sea Of Red’ and the brief instrumental ‘Guardians’ but most of the material is just straight ahead well written classic heavy metal. Highlights for me include ‘Evil Never Dies,’ ‘Rising From Ruins,’ ‘Flame Thrower’ and especailly ‘Traitors Gate.’That being said, its an album you can listen to all the way through, and its an album you can happily listen to on repeat. I once heard the phrase ‘an album you can get lost in’ and that’s exactly how I feel about Firepower. The performances pop. Rob’s vocals are more energetic than on the previous record. Travis’ drums are that little bit harder. The production is a lot sharper and more metallic as well. Everything sounds that little bit harder and heavier. Maybe its having that Andy Sneap involvment? Who knows, but everything rips. The band sound twenty years younger.I wouldn’t go overboard and start heaping tonnes and tonnes of hyperbolic praise on this personally. I wouldn’t argue its better than Screaming For Vengeance or Painkiller. I like Angel Of Retribution and Redeemer Of Souls well enough already not to go down that ‘best album since Painkiller’ route, but I will say it is a worthy addition to the band’s catalogue and no disapointment whatsoever. A pedantic person may be inclined to argue it is a bit overlong, and that a few songs are a bit forgettable compared to the better ones, but those are arguments that can be made for pretty much every album nowadays. Iron Maiden fans are well used to it at this stage and it doesn’t stop us buying their albums.After Nostradamus I thought this band may be hitting a downer period and after KK left the band it seemed quite unlikely they would be anything more than a nostalgia act but that’s two albums now they’ve proved that fear wrong. The band are arguably on an upward streak and they are starting to sound almost as fresh and relevant as the new Accept and Saxon albums have been. Considering by how long Priest pre-date those bands its even more impressive really. It isn’t just as amazing as I was expecting, but what I was expecting wasn’t realistic to begin with, but the more I play Firepower, the closer it gets to being a reality.If you like Priest, get it. If you like Classic Metal, get it. Hell, if you like Metal at all, get it!

What an album!! I'm afraid to say more recent Priest releases had become a little generic for me and lacking something. Not so with Firepower, the mighty Priest have somehow managed to take a step forward in sound and tipped a nod to the past in term of composition at the same time.The sound is much more contemporary, fat, rich, crunchy riffs, deep bass and my god, Rob Halford has never sounded so good and has firmly shut the door on any contenders aspiring to his title as god of metal, his range is phenomenal. This is an unapologetic heavy metal album, but the quality of songwriting and musical composition is first rate, there are tiny traces of 80's and even 70's Priest here and I hear what others say about similarities to SFVengence and maybe Turbo but the biggest influences remind me more of Painkiller. That said this album sounds fresh, multi-layered and melodic, not in a power metal way but in a fashion that is distinctly and uniquely Judas Priest. I've praised Rob's vocal and the backline is pounding and solid as ever but Glenn and Richie's guitars are just pure metal magic. Every track is just awesome and standout tracks for me are constantly changing the more listens I give this album but 'Rising From Ruins', 'Traitors Gate' and the title track all give me a little buzz just before they come on. This is destined to become a classic and possibly one of the best Judas Priest albums ever. And finally just look at the cover art!! When we were kids we'd stare at the album covers while we listened, I find myself doing that again. God bless our Priest and good health to Glenn, rock forever mate.

As a Judas Priest fan who loves both Painkiller, all their 70’s albums and some of their 80’s ones this album really does deliver the goods!!!The album starts strongly and manages to keep up the momentum through most of its 14 tracks. For me, the most memorable tracks are: Guardians / Rising from Ruins - what an anthem, a really feel good song that gets your fist pumping and singing along, wow! Never the Heroes, a thinking mans anthem this one it chugs along with pure majesty. Traitors Gate - beautiful opening and then into some brutal metal with superb Painkilleresque riffs and guitar work. To be honest, the only track that dissapoints and could be left off is Flame Thrower, there is a real sense of class to all of the tracks, such as the intricate and interesting Spectre, the powerful metal onslaught of Firepower and the heavy Evil Never Dies. The performances are excellent from all band members, credit to Rob Halford for delivering a blistering vocal punch and to Richie and Glen for some excellent guitar work. Of course, its the song writing that is the key and it proves that Halford/Tipton/Faulkner can rival tracks written by the two former and previous original member KK Downing.Any other reasons its so good? Maybe its the help of Andy Sneap? Certainly the recording feels really crisp and strong with a vitality about it, which is amazing considering where JP are in their careers. Maybe its Glenn’s poor health that means the band realise their own mortality and its now or never kind of attitude. Whatever it is, this is a tremendous success and fantastic album, and yes, it really is the best album since Painkiller and will now definitely feature in the list of their most significant acheivements!!!

I shudder to think that it's 42 years since my best friend made me some C90s from his vinyl collection. One of the albums he taped was Sad Wings of Destiny. I was mesmerised by that album and saved up for Stained Class which was just out. Over the next few years I saw Judas Priest live on the killing Machine and British Steel tours - tbh i didn't really like the commerciality of Living After Midnight or Breaking the Law singles but understood that appealing to a bigger audience was necessary to make it in the States etc. I only dipped into this band occasionally after Defenders of the Faith, losing touch completely in the mid 80's - though always held their 1976-84 catalogue in high esteem. My interest was re-ignited when they made the superb Angel of Retribution. Subsequent albums have been consistently good - especiallly the recent Redeemer of Souls. That and this new album stand up amongst their very best. Firepower should be placed in the top 20 metal albums of all time and in the top 3 Judas Priest albums! Thrilling from start to finish there is not a weak track. Halfords vocal are as strong as ever - how he hits the high notes is a real mystery at his age! My favourite tracks are the Necromancer - Children of the Sun - Guardians - Rising from Ruins quadrology in the middle of the album. To create this album at this stage in their career is quite amazing - if it was to be their last, a worthy epitaph...................

This album packs more Firepower than an atomic bomb. Initially I didn't have high expectations of this album thinking that the Metal Gods at this stage of their career would simply release a run of the mill rudimentary record to simply satisfy their legions of metal fans. However this album is incredible with faultless production, amazing twin guitar harmonies and superb emotional vocals from Rob Halford. The real standout feature of this album though is how epic it all feels particularly with standout tracks Traitors Gate and Rising From Ruins. From Evil Never Dies "My life's been taken hostage and it's never coming back" is especially apt as you can't stop playing this album, the lyrics so damn catchy and you can't get them out of your head.

I've been a priest fan for too many years but had felt that from Nostradamus onwards things had started to go down hill then ROS came along which had glimmers of the old metal gods and finally they've returned to what they used to be with Firepower.From the Painkiller-esque Firepower to the Turbo-esque No Surrender every track seems to feel like it's from a previous Priest album. The star of the album, for me, simply has to be Guardians/Rising from Ruins as it's classic Priest with an almost Iron Maiden like intro in Guardians the songs seem to seamlessly blend which is no mean feat. Halford's voice sounds the best it has for years and the production of the album is first rate. The guitars are refreshingly old style and drums seem to be a bit harder/heavier which suits the album well.For a bunch of OAPs they seem to have pulled it out of the bag again. The sad news that Glenn will not be able to tour due to his illness has put a downer on any possible tour tickets for me but I'll still try to see them in what will surely be their last tour.A first rate album and throwback to how they were when they were at their best. Put simply, buy it, you won't regret it!

Like anyone else here, I ve been a fan from the early days and still consider Screaming for Vengeance as their masterpiece, and one of the best metal albums ever. This sounds like "Screaming for Vengeance - the lost tapes". Even the cover is similar. It is the best JP album in many years, but I cannot be as superlative as the other reviewers. No "you've got another coming" here. All good songs, great riffs, excellent stuff which will sound marvellous in concert. But it does have an air of material which was recorded in those great sesssions and did not make it to the big album. But hey! for old timers like Halford and Tipton, still coming up with such good material after all those years is an incredible achievement. Very good album, their best in ... a loooong time. Can't wait to see them again live.

An OK album from a band that defined Heavy Metal. If your looking for Priest from old then don’t bother as it probably won’t float your boat but it’s better than some of the more recent stuff they have produced. A lot of material has influences from other bands (Metallica need to check their copyright) of which for me is kinda sad.Priest were true pioneers of the metal genre and everyone else copied them and not the other way around. I find Halfords choice of song titles and lyrics quite bewildering but the music isn't too bad - I guess it’s just not Priest from old. Perhaps they should call the band Rob Halford featuring Judas Priest as this is what to my ears the band now feels like. Hey, but each to their own if you like it.

I have been a fan of Judas Priest now for nearly 40 years so my review may be a little bias - but this is one great album.Judas Priest music is best described as empowering, and the first 3 tracks on here certainly make me feel empowered. This bunch are still rocking it out, which I have to say is an absolute bonus for me after all these years.A great album with some kickin' tracks - having now listened to it several times from start to finish, the first 3 tracks 'Firepower', 'Lightning Strike' and 'Evil Never Dies' - are the ones that have got me hooked, all with that Judas Priest riff that is known and loved but the rest of the tracks are also growing on me rapidly.Feel empowered by this album.

Den ersten Kontakt mit den Priestern hatte ich mit "Stained Class". Mein persönlicher Fave von Judas ist und bleibt " Screaming for Vengeance".Sämtliche Scheiben der Jungs nach "Painkiller" waren für mich enttäuschend und somit war die Band nur noch eine Randnotiz in meiner Sammlung.Doch nun das: "Firepower" !!!Nach etwa 30 Durchläufen kann ich sagen, dass mich schon lange keine CD mehr so geplättet hat.Hier stimmt einfach alles.Moderner Sound mit 80ziger Anleihen (ab und an leicht Accept lastig), tolle abwechslungsreiche Songs und über allem schwebt der göttliche Gesang von Rob Halford! Der Metal God hat noch nie besser geklungen!Neben dem schon bekannten Eröffnungsdoppel gefällt mir vor allem "Rising from Ruins", das mitreisende "Traitors Gate" und das hochmelodische "No Surrender", eine Art "Breaking the Law" der Neuzeit!Einzig "Necromancer" und das etwas langweilige "Children of the Sun" fallen leicht ab. Doch bei 12 Volltreffern von 14 Songs muss man von einem Klassiker reden. Hätte ich nicht mehr von JP erwartet! Volle Punktzahl!

This is the best Priest studio album since Painkiller in my opinion. Even though there are only really background screams from Rob Halford, the album is slightly different but, at the same time, typical Priest! So sad that Glenn Tipton is unlikely to play much of a part in touring with this album due to Parkinson's Disease, but I'm still looking forward to them taking this on the road.Typical Priest tracks are the title track and Lightning Strike. My favourite track, however is Spectre which is almost a very slow version of Dissident Aggressor in places. Priest fans, if you haven't got this yet, just do it! You're missing out on a 10 out of 10.

Absolutely fabulous piece of heavy metal. We have a record of the year 2018. No one else is making rock music like that, no one can.

Awesomely amazing album, and potentially JP's finest to date. Outstanding tracks, Firepower [obviously] Lightning Strike, No Surrender my favs. Do yourself a favour, listen to this tight, well produced and excellently executed album, which can stand toe to toe with any JP album ever.