Metal Gods Judas Priest Ignite Louder Than Life

Saturday, October 4th, 2014 | Louisville, Kentucky

Review by Annette Freeman

Photos by Kimberly Annette ©2014

In Kentucky, where Bourbon is king and prize winning race horses are it’s court, Champion Park recently ushered in a music festival that is assuredly destined to become an annual assemblage of iconic and blossoming hard rock and heavy metal performers.

The Louder Than Life Festival hosted over 35 bands, over a two-day period, representing every genre of “sign of the horns” metal over the last 30 years. An obviously anticipated favorite, for both attendees and performers alike, was Saturday’s headline appearance of the metal gods themselves, Judas Priest.

With the recent release of their first studio album in 6 years, Redeemer of Souls, Judas Priest is back touring and proving once again that they can still rock with, if not outperform, them all. Age be damned. Easily trouncing all over at least one other performances of the day they made the statement loud and clear “And that’s how it’s done.”

New comer Richie Faulkner shined as he gave energy to the stage lighting it on fire with his youthful exuberance. Faulkner is now a permanent fixture in Priest’s house of worship; the band has securely added an element of entertainment to their live performances.

From their set opener “Dragonaut”, the lead song off Redeemer of Souls to their finale of the time-honored classic “Living After Midnight,” Priest offered up an array of both new heart pounders and iconic whiplash-inducing favorites. It was a show that screamed like a “Devil’s Child” in “The Halls of Valhalla!”

The set list was a well-contemplated collection designed to satisfy multiple generations of Priest fanatic, in a festival type time slot. Post “Dragonaut,” they set the tone for the remaining evening with their 1980’s rock anthem, “Metal Gods” and proceeded into a rare performance of “Devil’s Child,” off the 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance. Then it was a jump back six years to “Victim of Changes” and fast-forwarded to another tasty song off Redeemer of Souls; the new tune with a classic Priest feel, “Halls of Valhalla.”

Being a band that has openly and sincerely expressed their appreciation and love for their fans, they graciously presented the crowd with their quintessential hits “Breaking The Law,” “Hell Bent for Leather,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” and “Turbo Lover.”

Although,”Turbo Lover” may not be considered a hit by half the Priest fans out there, there were those in the audience who did appreciate the 1986 for it’s successful experimentation of a new Priest sound. Hearing that song live was a special treat.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, but what a better sendoff than the great Rob Halford beating out the enduring “Living After Midnight,” to conclude the set. Hell yeah!

Once again, year after year, decade after decade, Judas Priest has shown the masses that they are unsurpassable and deserving of headlining rock festivals all over the world. With Rob Halford’s ever luminous voice still holding it’s own, classic songs that are just downright fun and new energy, with the addition of Richie Faulkner, Judas Priest does not disappoint and may have in fact recruited a few new Priest fans in the process.

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ANNETTE “THAT CATTY REDHEAD” FREEMAN

KIMBERLY ANNETTE | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM