JUDAS PRIEST
Nostradamus
(Sony BMG)
7/10
Even die-hard Judas Priest fans shifted a little uneasily when news leaked of the band's plan to create a 23-track, double disc metal opera based on the life of a 16 th Century French prophet - and that's saying something considering no one batted an eyelid when their last album ended with a 13-minute ode to the Lochness Monster. The inherent problem with concept albums is the theme often takes precedent to the detriment of the album. The musically strong title track, for example, would have been the perfect place to end the album, but instead we're left with the rather dull impression of 'Future of Mankind', just because it ties up the arduous storyline. The inherent problem with double concept albums is, wait for it...they are too fucking long! It makes for a nice triple vinyl package, but there is so much excess fat on this album even Carson Kressley would have his work cut out defending this huge bitch. The epic strings and '80s-sounding keyboards work well on the odd occasion but should have been used more sparingly, as they eventually turn 'Nostradamus' into a bloated and disjointed journey, void of Priest's trademark back-to-back rockers. Halford's lyrics, which have never been his strongest point, tend to be repetitive, clichéd and cringe inducing (I shudder to think what the stage costumes will look like). On the upside, his varied vocal attack is exceptionally strong, as is the rest of the band's performances. Whether they're blazing on solos, or sensuously gliding through the moody instrumentals, Tipton and Downing still reign supreme on their respective axes. Their production of the album's many layers is also noteworthy, as is the return to Priest's more traditional sound as opposed to Roy Z's modern crunch. 'Persecution', 'Alone', 'Death', 'Revelations' and 'Visions' are worth the purchase price alone, and 'Nostradamus' definitely deserves a place in any Priest fans collection; just don't go expecting a classic Priest album, because you won't find one here (Gav).
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