Judas Priest @ Copenhell 2022
A case of do or die
As my excitement for the classic merits of my all-time faves, Iron Maiden, has long since peaked, there seems to be more endurance in the material from Judas Priest's golden age. But maybe that has to do with the fact that while Maiden tend to rely on the same decades-long tried-and-tested classics, Priest aren't afraid to take risks with their setlist and dig into those juicy deep cuts.
This is evident from the surprising show-opener "One Shot at Glory". And even though the ensuing "Lightning Strike" is from a critically acclaimed and universally celebrated album (i.e. 2018's "Firepower"), it's not exactly a classic, either.
Something else that's evident is how Rob Halford is still singing surprisingly well for a man his age. While his voice might not exactly be crystal clear, he still nails those characteristic demon screams with a fervor that makes you wonder if he ever signed a contract with something much bigger than just a demon.
It also remains a pleasure to witness how axe-wielding duo Ritchie Faulkner and Andy Sneap have done their utmost to pay tribute to the iconic K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton right down to the tone. If you closed your eyes, you could be forgiven for thinking it might be the two latter on stage. And the rhythm section of Ian Hill and Dave Holland is as steady and heavy as ever.
Not unlike their younger apprentices in Metallica last night, Priest give us another out-of-left-field'er, playing the classic "You've Got Another Thing Coming" already at spot number three. However, much unlike Metallica, whose set seemed random and unmotivated more than anything else, Priest's is like a dynamic cornucopia that keeps on giving.
The intense thrasher "Freewheel Burning" still sounds sick as shit – even though, much unlike when I saw them four years ago, Halford has to spare his voice during this one. And fucking "Hell Patrol", dude...!
In fact, when Priest are at their best, we don't deserve them. My only imaginable complaint – apart from the fact that the 80-minute set is much too short for a band like Priest – is the fact that they put their otherwise lovely cover of Joan Baez' "Diamonds and Rust" right after their cover of Fleetwoood Mac's "The Green Manalishi".
But it's a lovely sunny evening in the company of good friends, and at this point, I'm so inebriated on metal, beer, and life itself that it would take a jellyfish down my pants to ruin anything. Especially seeing as how the encore starts with my favorite Priest moment: "The Hellion + Electric Eye".
If there was ever perfection in pure heavy metal music, it's these intro riffs right here, people. With the caveat, of course, that the exact same thing goes for the ever gasoline-stinking "Hell Bent for Leather" precluding the inevitable "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight".
Goddammit, I love Judas Priest. And while I'm not big on whining or any kind of complaining, it's simply not fair that by pure natural causes we probably only have 5-10 years left with them, especially seeing as how Halford seems to have more trouble walking than ever.
Somebody should just keep giving him body implants so he and the band could go on and on. In fact, holy shit, that's a brilliant idea.
Rating: 5 out of 6
Genre: Heavy fucking metal, as if you'd have to ask
Venue: Copenhell, Helvíti Stage
Date: Thur., 16/6/2022
Setlist:
- One Shot at Glory
- Lightning Strike
- You've Got Another Thing Comin'
- Freewheel Burning
- Turbo Lover
- Hell Patrol
- The Sentinel
- Victim of Changes
- The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) (Fleetwood Mac cover)
- Diamonds & Rust (Joan Baez cover)
- Painkiller
Encore: - The Hellion + Electric Eye
- Hell Bent for Leather
- Breaking the Law
- Living After Midnight