Review JUDAS PRIEST ‘Invincible Shield’

There are just a few bands like Judas Priest. For 19 albums and more than 50 years of heavy metal, the band has shown no signs of fatigue. Despite a few controversial albums, Judas Priest has never really disappointed, and it was the return of metal god Rob Halford in 2003 that gave the band a new boost.

These days, ‘Invincible Shield’, the Brits’ latest studio album, is being released and songs like ‘Panic Attack’ already hint at a strong album.

‘Invincible Shield’ follows ‘Firepower’ seamlessly and the eleven tracks on the record show the band in top form. The vocals of the metal god deserve a special mention. Rob Halford is over 70 years old and you wouldn’t know it from his voice. As usual, the iconic frontman leads through the songs, with songs like “The Serpent and the King” representing the whole class. The signature screams are on point and it’s the song in its entirety that takes you back to the ‘Painkiller’ days.

Next on the tracklist is the title track, which picks up the tempo of its predecessor and it’s the melodic chorus that invites you to sing along. Of course, the solo parts are not forgotten and you could say that ‘Invincible Shield’ is a shred-fest. In this context the thundering ‘Sons of Thunder’ stands out. The song was refined with a solo by Glenn Tipton and is a typical Judas Priest stomper that could have come from the ‘Defenders of Faith’ phase. And while we’re on the subject of pounding metal anthems, ‘Devil in Disguise’ is one of them too. This song comes out of the speakers slowly and powerfully along with ‘Gates of Hell’ and unleashes all the magic of Judas Priest. Even after more than 50 years, the band manages to stay true to their roots without repeating or even copying themselves.

‘Crown Of Horns’ is calmer, although it has to be said that this song also fits very well into the overall concept of the album. The same goes for the closing ‘Giants in the Sky’, which has a few bluesy notes that add a unique flavor to the song.

Furthermore, ‘Trial by Fire’ is another pulsating highlight of the album and it is ‘Escape From Reality’ that combines all the heaviness of heavy metal in one song. This is a dark, even dystopian song that is perfectly orchestrated by Judas Priest.

‘Invincible Shield’ is the expected great new album from Judas Priest. The band shows once again what they are capable of. It is the mix of their own trademarks and an openness to new things, paired with an infinite love for heavy metal, that has made Judas Priest a metal institution for more than five decades.