Judas Priest – "Invincible Shield"

If it's fucking awesome, don't fix it

Remember in 2018 when "Firepower" came out and everyone went completely fucking nuts over it? That was a too-rare case of any and every accolade being 100% deserved. Best damn Priest album since "Painkiller" ('90) – by far, even. Shit, I have friends who will claim it's their best album ever. Not that I'd agree, but that is a cool fucking opinion.

As such, there have been expectations this time around. Virtually unfulfillable expectations.

But when your name is Judas fucking Priest, you don't need to care a whole lot about such matters. Because when your name is Judas fucking Priest, the one thing you do best is to forge the world's purest and most solid steel. And when your name is Judas fucking Priest, you sure as shit don't need to reinvent said steel. (Little Pantera reference there; ya dig?)

Granted, that main guitar figure in opener and first single "Panic Attack" isn't exactly original, and the whole thing might seem very written. But right from the beginning, Judas Priest's 19th LP is, more than anything else, a red-hot, no-shits-given, impressively energetic, crystal-clearly produced, and blindingly professionally executed display of this thing called heavy fucking metal.

Rob Halford's voice sounds at least 20 years younger than the man has looked for the last 10 years, his spine-chilling banshee wails fully intact, making the way for one break-neck solo after the other, the song uncompromisingly plowing on like a sonic war machine. Holy shit, this is awesome.

And it gets even more awesome. The more uptempo "The Serpent and the King" sounds like something from the band's golden age – something like "Freewheel Burning". Halford's voice is even stronger; the chorus has the energy of fucking fire. (Yeah, no wonder kids are using that word all the time about anything they're into these days. Maybe if those kids were into heavy metal they wouldn't seem like a bunch of ignorant posers. In fact, only metalheads should be allowed to use the word 'fire' about things they're into, e.g. heavy metal. But I digress.)

And shit, the title track is even faster, sounding like something from "Painkiller", and its pre-chorus vocal harmonies explicitly throwbacking to this little 1977 anthem called "Sinner". Halford's vocal lines land like punching fists, and the rhythm guitar is like a solid wall of steel. If you don't love this, you misunderstand life. And in contrast, the ensuing "Devil in Disguise" is much slower and heavier, its rhythmic feel and pace reminiscing of this little 1980 anthem called "Metal Gods". The chorus is an immense fist-pumper. This is living, solid proof that you don't need to rely on hip-hop grooves to be heavy – something that modern metal bands have chosen to utterly ignore for the last 30 years. Jesus Christ, learn from those who are superior to you in any and every way.

Judas Priest's 19th LP is, more than anything else, a red-hot, no-shits-given, impressively energetic, crystal-clearly produced, and blindingly professionally executed display of this thing called heavy fucking metal.

Apart from the killer tracks, one thing I have to mention is guitarist Ritchie Faulkner who, other than excelling with those insane legato runs also demonstrates actual technical versatility along with a feeling that you're not gonna find with many other metal guitar heroes. Studio-wise, he is the perfect complementary counterpiece to the classical style of metal god Glenn Tipton; live-wise, he is the best thing the band could have ever done.

At this point, you may be thinking that either A) this album is virtually flawless and/or that B) I'm just a complete fucking fangirl for the Priest. And while the latter does have some truth to it, "Invincible Shield" is not without its share of filler. The minor-key melancholic "Crown of Horns" is a weak link, its guitar-impoverished verse probably imagined as a midway variation, but only adding to a much too solemn atmosphere, the song ultimately ending up a bit drudging and dreary. And although moments like the devastating 6/4-time axe chops of second single "Trial By Fire" keep up momentum, the overall inspiration seems to wane a bit toward the end. Album closer "Giants in the Sky", however, is sublime, its slick '70s style riff complementing an, indeed, gigantic chorus in which harmony voices, lyrics, and title come together in a masterful tribute to our fallen heroes.

In spite of any filler tracks and/or any tracks that aren't quite as strong as others (shit, how many albums don't have any of either?), "Invincible Shield" is, overall, almost as solid as its most solid moments. And if you're too retarded to have picked up on that until now, that is pretty damn solid.

Furthermore, the deluxe edition is worth the investment. "Fight of Your Life" features a Deep Purple-like main riff, an almost tango-like 2/4-feel, some cool modulations and guitar breaks, and vocal lines as memorable as in the band's biggest bangers – too many to mention. And "The Lodger", masterfully penned by long-time occasional collaborator Bob Halligan Jr. (the guy who wrote this little 1984 anthem called "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll") contributes an eerie, dramatic, and almost cinematic quality, adding width and depth to an album that we didn't think would've needed much of either.

The biggest point of criticism that anyone could rightly have against "Invincible Shield" is that it's purely a retrospective matter that adds nothing new to the table. But when your name is Judas fucking Priest, you don't need to look in any other direction than back in time – or wherever else might suit you. Because when your name is Judas fucking Priest, you have certain green cards to do whatever the Hell you want. Not that you'd need them, of course, when you just keep doing what you're best at.

And as long as you keep doing exactly that, we are blessed to still have you around.

Rating: 5 out of 6

Genre: Heavy metal
Release date: 8/3/2024
Label: Columbia / Epic
Producer: Andy Sneap