This album packs a real gut punch! It gets better with every play. The power is incredible and shows the talent and versatility that this band still has. They have been my favourite band since I was 13, a very long time ago, and still just deliver. I have a feeling this album will be my favourite since Unleashed! Going to see them in Leeds UK on Wednesday and can't wait.
They killed it in Glasgow last night on the first date of the tour as did Saxon. Rob and Biff are forces of nature and sound incredible for guys in their early 70s. Heep also really good, only played 5 songs so short but oh so sweet.
Were you at the same show as me mate? Priest sounded like shit! The drums triggers were terrible and robs vocals were horrendous, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen priest! The set list was poor as well. Saxon on the other hand was outstanding and stole the show.
A 5/5 for me. Best album since Defenders. Its a little higher than Firepower, but not by much. So many great tunes (Serpent and the King is my favorite as well) and the sequencing is soooo good. I can hear Ian on bass in the mix and he has some more adventurous lines I find.
Firepower even after 6 years is a fantastic one, but somehow I miss fast and high energetic songs on it. On Invincible Shield it has been fixed. Ian's bass is much more audible than on Firepower and Richie is like an unleashed beast with all his solos. An unbelievable achievement.
5/5 Heavy metal masterpiece. Favorite song: Crown of Horns. The reason for my high rating is because this is the first metal album I haven't gotten bored with after just a couple listens since the early 90s when I expanded my musical tastes into jazz, etc. It takes me right back to the mid 80s heyday when metal was still new and fresh. There's no filler on this album and the sequencing is perfect from start to finish. When I close my eyes, I feel like 14 years old again. Firepower was a huge step in the right direction, but Invincible Shield is a shockingly great album at this stage in their career.
Agree on Crown of Horns.. it’s sort of predictable that if it’s heavy doomy it’s good.. well, that’s not my way of rating… as far as songwriting Crown of Horns is gold… Probably will be overlooked by lot of people, but it’s such a majestic song, from the heart and soul.. And great album all together for sure…
Cool. A suggestion. Check out Overkill from the last 30 years. I'm sure you'll find a few albums you like. Rock on.
10 месяцев назад+2
@@sanderberkvens6270 Definitely won't be overlooked by me. Honestly I love this melodic monster with deep lyrics. Its like Halfords personal confession
@@CrazyCooter-ld6sz OverKill has been on a roll at least since Ironbound. The 90s and early 00s were a bit leaner period but even then they never made a total bummer of an album. I have them all and what they've been putting out lately are in a way on par with the classics.
As of this moment my favorite is "As God Is My Witness." But "Serpent and the King" is right up there. There are so many good ones on this album that I cannot stop listening to it.
Thanks Pete. Always a pleasure to be guaranteed such a measured and honest review. One of the many reasons SOT is approaching 100K subs. I agree with many of the comments here, the album repays repeat listens and is a strong modern effort from these legends. Very happy with the album.
I just ordered it..will be my first Judas Priest album
10 месяцев назад+8
Hope you are gonna enjoy that moment. Its truly life-changing experience. My very first JP album was Defenders of the Faith (back in 2014 if I can remember) and it immediately changed my way of thinking about heavy metal music
I'm a huge Iron Maiden fan..I have all their albums,but I never got into Judas Priest..here it is 2024 and I'm hearing some awesome songs from the new album!Can't wait!
Great to hear hope you enjoy one of the best in metal!!!! Priest🤘🏻
10 месяцев назад+4
@@jefferysteen1041 Oh man I remember seeing Killers album cover art for the very 1st time and I was lost. My father bought it for few forints on a random Hungarian black market back in 1984 or 1985 along with Powerslave album. LOL
Listened to this and Firepower back to back. The new one is so much more dynamic sonically speaking. The compression on Firepower robs it of a lot of it's power. Glad they got it right here.
This is my opinion too. Lots of love out there for Firepower, but this new album has more of the dynamic mix and punch that the best of the 80s albums had.
Invincible is great. Much better than Firepower. But, the drum production is the same, and the same as on all Sneap productions. It is compressed to hell and back, which I do not like. It bothers me. The songs are great, everything is great, except that. I constantly hear that snare at the same level throughout a song - no dynamics and velocity at all. Otherwise, this new album is the greatest since Screaming for me.
One of the reasons why Firepower didn't reach its full potential IMO. Still a very good album, but its production felt lackluster and one you hear dozens upon dozens of times. That resulted in it losing a bit of identity, and the compression made it sound quite monotone. This one's is already a lot better, though. Still a bit too clean and safe sounding for me personally. Basically, it still sounds like your typical Andy Sneap production, but like you said, it's dynamically a lot better in terms of its mix, so that's a big plus in my book.
i think cause is composed by Bob Halligan Jr. He composed some old Judas songs like Take These Chains, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll and Twist from Halford's Resurrection.
I pretty much agree with what Pete says. On par with Firepower. Not getting into the hyperbole that it their best from the 80s but that’s more of how much I like Firepower. The fact that their last 2 albums are of this high quality for a band around this long is stunning and we have 2 of them doing it in Priest and Saxon. The only thing I really miss these days is the vintage production these bands had in the 70s and 80s. This album is produced well compared to other modern albums where everything is overproduced but it still has that glossiness and sheen that I’m not a fan of. I just wish some bands would go back to producing where you can hear a clear separation of instruments and the drumming sounds organic.
Definitely better than Turbo and Ram It Down from the 80s in my opinion. I actually like it better than Firepower; I haven't listened to an album repeatedly like I have with Invincible Shield because I loved it on the first listen as opposed to trying to learn how to like it in a long time. Then again maybe I should give Firepower another spin just to make sure 🤔... It's a great album regardless.
@@tyronedonut8336 Destroy what? You mentioned two songs from Ram It Down which are good songs on a weak album. Are you comparing them to the title track of Invincible Shield? If you think those are better songs than Invincible Shield you're entitled to your opinion, but if you're saying you think Ram It Down is a better album overall than Invincible Shield, while you're obviously still entitled to your opinion, I would definitely disagree with you on that.
Bought the album yesterday on both vinyl and cd, a bit costly though, £55 for both. My vinyl copy is a limited run only sold in HMV stores on pink vinyl, really cool. The hard back digi book cd is probably the better deal as it comes with three extra tracks, which believe me, are worth the extra money. As for the album itself, its a good album but it doesn't set the heather on fire, well for me anyway, it just kinda smolders. As much as i love it, i still think Firepower is better, that might change though. Incidentally their playing this very minute in Glasgow along with Uriah Heep and Saxon. Sadly i couldnt go as its an expensive month for me. I saw Primordial last saturday and will be going to see Incantation next month.
Picked up the CD yesterday, along with the new Dickenson album. Listened to it last night. Fantastic album! The production is great and Halford sounds so good, as always. Lovin' it \m/ BTW, "The Mandrake Project" is pretty good too.
I've only listened to this album twice, but it sounds fantastic so far. It usuaslly takes quite a few listens for me before I can compare it to their other albums. However, no matter how many times I listen to this new album, it will be hard to compare it to their 70's and 80's releases, due to the nostalgia factor of those ealier albums.
you have to be British and a Maiden fan right? This song is not better than As God as my witness, Serpent and the King or Invincible Shield. To each is own but thinking that is the best song on the album leads me to believe you like the goofy Dickenson solo stuff too. Which you can....free country just don't understand.
@@shawnatl3347 Hey man. Nah, I'm not British or a fan of Bruce's solo stuff, although I do love Maiden. I just really dig the unusual guitar and vocal work on this song, it sounds like a strange folk tale or a dream of something. It hit my imagination in a new way and was fun. That's all.
Totally with you on this one Pete... two listens through and absolutely loving this album... definitely makes me think of the Screaming and Defenders era a lot...
I really was a little skeptical about a new album because Firepower was that good to me. Thankfully, this album is on par. I enjoy it more with each listen. For the moment, I like Firepower a little more but this one could surprass it. A good problem to have. lol
I was very skeptical. I didn't like "Panic Attack" at first. I dig it now. I also didn't like "Crown of Horns". Still don't, may be the album's worst song.
@@independenceltd. , there is nothing on here that I dislike. Crown of Horns is okay but definitely didn't wet my appetite for the new album.
10 месяцев назад+2
This is kind of problem we all are so glad to deal with....there are already some riots and brawls between Firepower and Invincible Shield supporters and I love it
Listened to it three times so far and it gets better with every listen. I like it a little more than Firepower. Can’t wait to see them when they come my way in April!
Great review, Pete. I think it's a crushing, classic Judas Priest album. Can't understand some of the negative comments here. Every review I've seen has been giving it high ratings. Like you always say, we all hear things different. But damn, this is tremendous!
I have been listening to Judas Priest for 35 years now. I have all the albums including the very first ones and I can say I know Judas Priest discography really well. This album took me by surprise. I did not expect they would be able to deliver such a fantastic album in 2024. I have been listening to it over and over for the past 3 weeks and I can say that the more I listen to it, the more I like it. In the begining, I thought it was quite close to the quality of Screaming for Vengeance which is my favorite album from JP. Now I think I like it as much as SFV. Invicible shield had something more, it's like a synthesys of all what JP sound has been over the decades, whith a huge versatility in sounds and inspirations. The production is massive, the guitars riffs come direct from hell and Rob is singing like he is in his prime. This is the definition of heavy metal. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Phenomenal album. In my opinion best priest album since Ram it down (Yes i know). I like this album on first listen better than the first listen of firepower. I’ve listened to this 8 times already and can’t get enough of it. Every song is a 100% killer. I’ll have to go to Barnes and noble and purchase a copy today.
I think almost the same. Not the best album since Ram It Down, honestly in my opinion i think is the best thing Judas did since Defenders Of The Faith. I know the love people has to Painkiller, i love too, and i pretty sure that Invicible Shield could not exist without the 1990 album, but i think some songs of this album doesn't aged well, and the production is kind of embarrasing.
The reason I think it's the best album Priest has ever done is simple, the message of the album. Ritchie almost died, his heart issues, Bob Halford had Prostate cancer, Glen is battling Parkinsons. This album is a testimony of Faith, Survival, life and eternity.
Great review Pete. I opted to pick up the Target exclusive version for the extra tracks & the packaging which is better. I agree that As God As My Witness would have fit on Painkiller. For me I feel like this album is the best of the 3 that Richie has played on (which have all been excellent). After several listens I would put this album right next to Painkiller which places it in my top 5 Priest albums.
Great album. Even though slower I can’t get crown of horns out of my head. Love that most of the album is rockin. Feels firepower painkiller and screaming for vengeance. 4.5. My 12 year old daughter likes it too!
10 месяцев назад+1
There is a hidden power and urgency within this song. I feel like it could be my fav song off this amazing album and that speaks volumes
Great album!! It rocks!! I got the 14 track version of the CD! The extra tracks are: 'Fight Of Your Life', 'Vicious Circle', and 'The Lodger'. Killer songs! I know everybody is hyped about this album. But, there's another cool album that came out not to long ago. The Rods "Rattle The Cage". I wish Pete would have reviewed it.
I’ve heard Invincible Shield a few times so far. I loved it on my first listen and I love it about the same right now. I really like the constant high energy on this album; it makes it feel alive and powerful in a way that even Firepower didn’t (and I really love Firepower). Halford’s vocals sound amazing, especially considering his age. And the guitar work is killer across the board, with incredible solos on almost every song and a guitar tone that might just be my favorite of any JP album. I had a pretty hard time figuring out which song here is my favorite because so many are equally great. Right now, I think that “Trial by Fire” is my favorite, with other strong favorites being “Panic Attack,” “The Serpent and the King,” “Devil in Disguise,” and “Giants in the Sky.” My main critique of the album is that there isn’t much musical diversity; 90% of the album is the same style of fast, energetic, and heavy, with standard metal riffs that have been used hundreds of times before. My secondary critiques are that the bass is extremely quiet in the mix, and the lyrics are really bad on songs like the title track and “Crown of Horns” in my opinion. Thankfully, the music overall is very good and fun to listen to, so I forget about my own critiques while I’m listening. Overall, I really like Invincible Shield, though maybe not quite as much as Firepower due to its focus on one sound. It’s still a top 8 JP album for me and I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10.
looking forward to getting it Pete. Love the Seconds Out shirt, the greatest prog live album of all time bar none. People always wonder why I can love the Priest and love Genesis. Check my mood and that's the answer. OK just listened to Invincible Shield. What a powerful piece of music. Priest is back!
Good review, enjoy the channel a ton. I love this album, it totally kicks @ss. Funny thing is Crown of Horns is one of my favorite songs on the album...great chorus and love the intro. Not a bad track on this one. Also, you are missing out on the bonus tracks, they are all good especially "The Lodger".
I've been listening non stop to this album since it came out, and my 11 year old son loves it too. His favourite tracks are Trial By Fire and Devil In Disguise. I like those ones but also Gates Of Hell, Panic Attack, and Giants In The Sky. For the latter, I also like that it's a tribute to Lemmy and Dio
Great review. I've listened five times so far and feel it's the best of the Faulkner era. I'm not sure if it reaches the level of albums I view as classics (Sad Wings, Sin After Sin, Stained Class, Hell Bent, British Steel, Screaming, Defenders, and Painkiller) but it's definitely awesome.
I'm a Priest head since 1980 12yrs old. I enjoy every Priest album. Invincible Shield is everything I love about all those Priest albums rolled up into one. That includes the bonus tracks, they are growing on me.
This is a really great album! Id say the best one at least since they got back together in 05! Thankful that we still have the Metal Gods bringing us new tunes! Thanks for the great review Pete! Giants in the Sky Title track Gates of Hell Trial by Fire Panic Attack all highlights for me! I like the couple bonus cuts Lodger and Vicious Circle too!
Deserves all the praise. Other legacy bands putting out new stuff(Iron Maiden) should take note. Energy, riffs , bangers, fun. Not trying to reinvent the wheel.
There's a deluxe version of the album at Target. It rules! I have Apple music and it was added to my library Friday morning. I was cranking it as I was getting ready for work on Friday. Great way to start my Friday morning!
@@rabarebra you can only get the deluxe version with the 14 tracks in the digi-book here in the states at Target. Everywhere else has the flimsy cardboard with only 11 tracks
Hey, just to let you know that Target has the deluxe edition with 3 bonus tracks and much better packaging with the cd not falling out. The bonus material is really good. The first reminds me of the point on entry or hell bent for leather album. Second is vicious circle reminds me of newer mid speed song but great firepower feel. The lodger is very different to all the song but heavy a slow pace song. Its great for sure.
Listened to it on Saturday.. Amazed by how fantastic Rob Halford sounds at his age.. That is a truly an achievement.. Band sounds Great as well.. 1st listen i wouldn't call it top notch Priest compared to the classics.. But i got the feeling that will improve over future listens.. Now i would give it 7/10 maybe higher to an 8/10.. Glad to have them back.. \m/ \m/
@@tomp4053 Hi Tom.. I am expecting my thoughts on the album to go higher before this coming December's list (will be here before we know it.. LOL.,,).. So much respect to bands like this still rocking it at their age..
I’ve listen to this album once and I really enjoyed it from start to finish I agree with everything you said Pete. I would give this album 4.5/5 probably their strongest album since Painkiller
Pete, if you had listened to Escape From Reality you would be talking about the vocals starting at 2:22. That and the overall vibe of the song that pays homage to one of your favorite bands. Go back and listen to it again and pay attention!
Richie Faulkner's guitar playing really shines on this album. It gives you that 1970's and 1980's Judas Priest feel to it. Rob Halford, as usual is the Metal God. Great vocals as always. The drumming by Scott Travis is also superb and helps to drive every song deep into metal madness. If you are an old fan and haven't heard this line-up of the band you should definitely do so. This albums grade is a solid A.
Pete, you have to check out the extra songs on the deluxe edition. Fight for Your Life has serious Stained Class vibes and Vicious Circle is another banger. The Lodger is very different but still pretty interesting.
Love all the different views/opinions on here. Mine is that this is JP's best album since Stained Class and/or Painkiller. Cut me some slack - I'm 59 and first saw Judas Priest in March 1978 at the Music Hall in Aberdeen Scotland.
Pete, will this album be up for display among your CD collection? I think we should be able to see it on the left side of the video screen if you did. The album cover art definitely stands out. I also think you will grow into the album enough to rate it a 4.5!
Great review Pete. 8/10 from me. Probably my favourite JP album since defenders. Trial by fire, as god is my witness & gates of hell being my picks for standout tracks. 👍
Still waiting on my copy. Like the tracks I've heard so far. I really enjoyed Firepower and saw them on that tour, with Deep Purple. They'll be coming this way in May, so I'll likely try to see them again.
I currently am enjoying the 11 track version. I may eventually get the Target version too. My favorites have been the title track and "Giants in the Sky" the most and I think the fact that this warranted a special two day early review from SOT is the equivalent of that extra half a point in your rating. ( I actually thought you guys might field a panel to review this like you did with Scorpions "Rock Believer" a couple of years back) Anyway...5 out of 5 from me.
I made the mistake of ordering that version also but the 3 extra songs on the Target version are definitely worth having. I’ve only listened to them twice but 2/3 of them are definitely as good as everything else on the album. So now I guess I’ll have two version.
Listened through the album once and ”As god is my witness” and ”The serpent and the king” are my clear favorites so far. Kind of thrashy but still very melodic, and the riff is just epic!!
Absolute beast of an album, what a start to the year from the UK. Magnum, Saxon and Bruce Dickinson have already dropped ceacking albums, but I think Priest have topped the lot. I agree that the final bonus track, The Lodger, is a bit odd, but this is easily a 4.5/5, possibly a smidge higher if that's allowed!
Good review. I love this album so far. I think it is the best since the 80s. I feel like a lot of people are afraid to say it and don’t know why. I feel this one has less fillers than some of their legendary albums.
Ive only listened to Invincible Shield about 5/6 times and its great. ''Gates of Hell'' is my favorite so far, the middle section and end of the song are outstanding. ''As God is my Witness'' reminds me of ''Hellrider'' from Angel of Retribution, especially the drumming. ''Sons of Thunder'' is upbeat and heavy. Between Invincible Shield and Firepower, the guitars and drums are top quality on both albums. Rob's vocals and Ian's bass playing are right on par as well.
I purchased this album on Saturday the day after its official release. I had watched some interviews with the band promoting the new album the day before and made up my mind that I had to buy it the next day. Well, you could say I went all out. The only copy that was left available at the music store was a limited edition 2 red heavyweight vinyl records (minus the bonus tracks) and it was not cheap, but I thought to myself ''Well hey I came here for the album, and I don't want to leave the store without it so let's roll the dice and take a leap of faith.'' and that was what I did. I love the packaging and the artwork just screams Judas Priest right back at you, so I placed it on the turntable when I arrived home and sat down and read along to the lyrics and after it was finished, I was not certain as to what my opinion overall was? I loved the previous album Firepower and thought to myself that would be a hard album to follow up on but of course I am willing to give this a fair trial. After a few more spins on the turntable, I must admit this album has really grown on me and I don't mind the fact now that I spent what most folks would probably consider to be too much for just one album. Does it surpass Firepower? I cannot say at the moment but let's give it some time.
Great review Pete. Been getting great reviews and the odd negative one. What peed me off on certain reaction channels was they are not fans of Priest but got on board a bit with Firepower then moaned about production on earlier albums Halfords tone bla bla etc etc. L think it's awesome. Bought the full package cds, lps, picture discs and cassette etc💯💯💯💯🤘🤘🤘
Loving the album. I wasn't sure they'd match Firepower but I might like it a little more. Their 70s sound peeks through a bit on some of these tracks, which is great.
This is a great album it's very well balanced out. I would love to know what Pete thinks of the 12, and 13, songs which are great in particular the last one of the deluxe edition. 14,The Lodger. ✅
For me, this is the 1a to Firepower's 1b after the Unleashed album. But I'm also 60 yrs old, so of course those '70's Priest albums are untouchable. Everybody loves Painkiller...for me it's a little astringent. Maybe it's the high strung production. Invincible is so full and meaty...
i am truly impressed that a band like this can manage to put out an album of this quality this far into their career. I think many people would agree with it being on par with Firepower, another album I really love. What I miss as others have stated is the old school production. But it is not overproduced just sounds like a modern heavy metal album but a bit better than the drudge that some other legacy bands have been releasing IMO.
The Digi-Book has 3 bonus tracks [at least in Germany/EU], of which one is Fight for Your Life, which Judas Priest already released back in the 2001 Remasters series (which sound amazing). So I guess its a re-recording of that song, since I've not heard the album yet. I ordered the Digi-Book, as Priest is my all time favorite band!
No it's a new song altogether, Fight FOR Your Life on the Killing Machine remaster is an early version of Rock Hard, Ride Free. This one is called Fight OF Your Life.
My impression as a fan since78 is that the best songs are on level with their best. Halfords voice is great , not only screams . There are a few middle on the road songs too. But yes good to see them do it well
I was hoping the deluxe edition with 3 extra tracks would have been used for this review. Might have to do an addendum for Fight Of Your Life, Vicious Circle, and The Lodger.
Just skimmed through it here, sounds killer! Blows away what KK is doing! Have to agree even with just a cursory glance, think it may be better than Firepower...
This album packs a real gut punch! It gets better with every play. The power is incredible and shows the talent and versatility that this band still has. They have been my favourite band since I was 13, a very long time ago, and still just deliver. I have a feeling this album will be my favourite since Unleashed! Going to see them in Leeds UK on Wednesday and can't wait.
I love it. Firepower and invincible shield is one helluva one-two punch!
Firepower is way better.
Giants In The Sky is exceptional. Amazing song.
Awesome song, a mastodon of a track it may be the best on the album. Wish more of the songs had this (slightly oldschool) heavy rock vibe.
On the verge of being too pathetic.
@@Andrey_YurkoffNo I think you have fully reached that state
@@Andrey_Yurkoff....but never crossing the red line, huh? God bless Priest!
Right? What a closer of a track, killer.
The bonus tracks are killer you need the deluxe edition!
Amen brother.
”The Lodger” is a great ending track.
It is yeah, very atmospheric and spooky.@@renske2
They killed it in Glasgow last night on the first date of the tour as did Saxon. Rob and Biff are forces of nature and sound incredible for guys in their early 70s. Heep also really good, only played 5 songs so short but oh so sweet.
Wish all three bands could tour Australia
Were you at the same show as me mate? Priest sounded like shit! The drums triggers were terrible and robs vocals were horrendous, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen priest! The set list was poor as well. Saxon on the other hand was outstanding and stole the show.
Heep is mindblowing
A 5/5 for me. Best album since Defenders. Its a little higher than Firepower, but not by much. So many great tunes (Serpent and the King is my favorite as well) and the sequencing is soooo good. I can hear Ian on bass in the mix and he has some more adventurous lines I find.
Firepower even after 6 years is a fantastic one, but somehow I miss fast and high energetic songs on it. On Invincible Shield it has been fixed. Ian's bass is much more audible than on Firepower and Richie is like an unleashed beast with all his solos. An unbelievable achievement.
5/5 Heavy metal masterpiece. Favorite song: Crown of Horns. The reason for my high rating is because this is the first metal album I haven't gotten bored with after just a couple listens since the early 90s when I expanded my musical tastes into jazz, etc. It takes me right back to the mid 80s heyday when metal was still new and fresh. There's no filler on this album and the sequencing is perfect from start to finish. When I close my eyes, I feel like 14 years old again. Firepower was a huge step in the right direction, but Invincible Shield is a shockingly great album at this stage in their career.
Agree on Crown of Horns.. it’s sort of predictable that if it’s heavy doomy it’s good.. well, that’s not my way of rating… as far as songwriting Crown of Horns is gold… Probably will be overlooked by lot of people, but it’s such a majestic song, from the heart and soul..
And great album all together for sure…
Crown of Horns is some great songwriting and truly a heartfel testimony to a career in metal. It's mellow, yes, but that doesn't make a bad song.
Cool. A suggestion. Check out Overkill from the last 30 years. I'm sure you'll find a few albums you like. Rock on.
@@sanderberkvens6270 Definitely won't be overlooked by me. Honestly I love this melodic monster with deep lyrics. Its like Halfords personal confession
@@CrazyCooter-ld6sz OverKill has been on a roll at least since Ironbound. The 90s and early 00s were a bit leaner period but even then they never made a total bummer of an album. I have them all and what they've been putting out lately are in a way on par with the classics.
As of this moment my favorite is "As God Is My Witness." But "Serpent and the King" is right up there. There are so many good ones on this album that I cannot stop listening to it.
me too. I have been listening to it over and over for the past 3 weeks!
Thanks Pete. Always a pleasure to be guaranteed such a measured and honest review. One of the many reasons SOT is approaching 100K subs. I agree with many of the comments here, the album repays repeat listens and is a strong modern effort from these legends. Very happy with the album.
I just ordered it..will be my first Judas Priest album
Hope you are gonna enjoy that moment. Its truly life-changing experience. My very first JP album was Defenders of the Faith (back in 2014 if I can remember) and it immediately changed my way of thinking about heavy metal music
I'm a huge Iron Maiden fan..I have all their albums,but I never got into Judas Priest..here it is 2024 and I'm hearing some awesome songs from the new album!Can't wait!
Great to hear hope you enjoy one of the best in metal!!!!
Priest🤘🏻
@@jefferysteen1041 Oh man I remember seeing Killers album cover art for the very 1st time and I was lost. My father bought it for few forints on a random Hungarian black market back in 1984 or 1985 along with Powerslave album. LOL
I love Firepower but this album is up there with it
Listened to this and Firepower back to back. The new one is so much more dynamic sonically speaking. The compression on Firepower robs it of a lot of it's power. Glad they got it right here.
This is my opinion too. Lots of love out there for Firepower, but this new album has more of the dynamic mix and punch that the best of the 80s albums had.
Invincible is great. Much better than Firepower. But, the drum production is the same, and the same as on all Sneap productions. It is compressed to hell and back, which I do not like. It bothers me. The songs are great, everything is great, except that. I constantly hear that snare at the same level throughout a song - no dynamics and velocity at all. Otherwise, this new album is the greatest since Screaming for me.
One of the reasons why Firepower didn't reach its full potential IMO. Still a very good album, but its production felt lackluster and one you hear dozens upon dozens of times. That resulted in it losing a bit of identity, and the compression made it sound quite monotone.
This one's is already a lot better, though. Still a bit too clean and safe sounding for me personally. Basically, it still sounds like your typical Andy Sneap production, but like you said, it's dynamically a lot better in terms of its mix, so that's a big plus in my book.
@@tominatorxx Agree.
Agree 100%
Extra track "The Lodger" is a real odd one, but really cool
i think cause is composed by Bob Halligan Jr. He composed some old Judas songs like Take These Chains, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll and Twist from Halford's Resurrection.
Made me think a lot of The Stage era Avenged Sevenfold
Made me think of Marvel Doctor Strange.
I love this new Judas Priest and am glad I bought the deluxe version of the cd from Target!
I pretty much agree with what Pete says. On par with Firepower. Not getting into the hyperbole that it their best from the 80s but that’s more of how much I like Firepower. The fact that their last 2 albums are of this high quality for a band around this long is stunning and we have 2 of them doing it in Priest and Saxon. The only thing I really miss these days is the vintage production these bands had in the 70s and 80s. This album is produced well compared to other modern albums where everything is overproduced but it still has that glossiness and sheen that I’m not a fan of. I just wish some bands would go back to producing where you can hear a clear separation of instruments and the drumming sounds organic.
Definitely better than Turbo and Ram It Down from the 80s in my opinion.
I actually like it better than Firepower; I haven't listened to an album repeatedly like I have with Invincible Shield because I loved it on the first listen as opposed to trying to learn how to like it in a long time.
Then again maybe I should give Firepower another spin just to make sure 🤔...
It's a great album regardless.
@@b.g.5869 jajajajajajajaajajajajajaja
Digital ... its never going to sound like old school HQ tape. I agree, the super polish isnt as exciting.
@@b.g.5869 no, Ram it Down and Hard as Iron destroy this
@@tyronedonut8336 Destroy what?
You mentioned two songs from Ram It Down which are good songs on a weak album.
Are you comparing them to the title track of Invincible Shield? If you think those are better songs than Invincible Shield you're entitled to your opinion, but if you're saying you think Ram It Down is a better album overall than Invincible Shield, while you're obviously still entitled to your opinion, I would definitely disagree with you on that.
The Priest is back!!!
exactly!@NobleSavage1985
Bought the album yesterday on both vinyl and cd, a bit costly though, £55 for both. My vinyl copy is a limited run only sold in HMV stores on pink vinyl, really cool. The hard back digi book cd is probably the better deal as it comes with three extra tracks, which believe me, are worth the extra money. As for the album itself, its a good album but it doesn't set the heather on fire, well for me anyway, it just kinda smolders. As much as i love it, i still think Firepower is better, that might change though. Incidentally their playing this very minute in Glasgow along with Uriah Heep and Saxon. Sadly i couldnt go as its an expensive month for me. I saw Primordial last saturday and will be going to see Incantation next month.
KK's Priest blows it away.
Liking the new album. I agree with Pete that The Serpent And The King is the high point. Rob sounds great.
The chorus is awful it doesn't match the song.
that's a filler in my humble opinion.
My personal favorite is Panic Attack
@@lorenzo_smit mine too and I don't mind crown of horns either.
@@martymartin2894yeah, power metal happy chorus ruined the song
Pretty amazing and admirable that Priest is still delivering the goods in 2024
Picked up the CD yesterday, along with the new Dickenson album. Listened to it last night. Fantastic album! The production is great and Halford sounds so good, as always. Lovin' it \m/
BTW, "The Mandrake Project" is pretty good too.
As much as I like Firepower, I think that I already like this one better. "Serpent..." is maybe my favorite, as well.
I agree
Yes, Serpent is for sure, my favorite track.
The album gets better after every listening.
Cheers!
I've only listened to this album twice, but it sounds fantastic so far. It usuaslly takes quite a few listens for me before I can compare it to their other albums. However, no matter how many times I listen to this new album, it will be hard to compare it to their 70's and 80's releases, due to the nostalgia factor of those ealier albums.
The Lodger (a bonus track) is my fave on the album! Amazing song with very unique construction to it!
you have to be British and a Maiden fan right? This song is not better than As God as my witness, Serpent and the King or Invincible Shield. To each is own but thinking that is the best song on the album leads me to believe you like the goofy Dickenson solo stuff too. Which you can....free country just don't understand.
@@shawnatl3347 Hey man. Nah, I'm not British or a fan of Bruce's solo stuff, although I do love Maiden. I just really dig the unusual guitar and vocal work on this song, it sounds like a strange folk tale or a dream of something. It hit my imagination in a new way and was fun. That's all.
@@shawnatl3347 I do really love the songs you listed though. Great songs! Great album!
Totally with you on this one Pete... two listens through and absolutely loving this album... definitely makes me think of the Screaming and Defenders era a lot...
Got mine today on shocking pink vinyl. And I'm loving it 🎸
Played it all day today, it’s Fantastic! BTW I’ve been a priest fan since Screaming and have seen them multiple times in my life.
I really was a little skeptical about a new album because Firepower was that good to me. Thankfully, this album is on par. I enjoy it more with each listen. For the moment, I like Firepower a little more but this one could surprass it. A good problem to have. lol
I was very skeptical. I didn't like "Panic Attack" at first. I dig it now. I also didn't like "Crown of Horns". Still don't, may be the album's worst song.
@@independenceltd. , there is nothing on here that I dislike. Crown of Horns is okay but definitely didn't wet my appetite for the new album.
This is kind of problem we all are so glad to deal with....there are already some riots and brawls between Firepower and Invincible Shield supporters and I love it
Thanks for the review, Pete. Always interesting to hear your opinions about new metal albums.
Awesome album. Going to see them this Friday in Dublin.
Incredible record over 50 years on. Fantastic review.
Get the Target edition the 3 bonus tracks are great and some of my favorites
Listened to it three times so far and it gets better with every listen. I like it a little more than Firepower. Can’t wait to see them when they come my way in April!
Going to see Priest, Saxon and Heep in Birmingham next week. It’s going to be special.
Thanks Pete, great to know you give the new Invisible Shield from Priest the thumbs up! That’s all I need to know!
Great album 8/10 for me. Can you do a deep dive with the other squares? Seeing them live with Saxon and Uriah Hero on Wednesday in Leeds UK 🤘🏻
Great review, Pete. I think it's a crushing, classic Judas Priest album. Can't understand some of the negative comments here. Every review I've seen has been giving it high ratings. Like you always say, we all hear things different. But damn, this is tremendous!
And those negative comments are probably a very, very low percentage. lol
@@tomp4053Very true, my friend. And a good thing they are!
I have been listening to Judas Priest for 35 years now. I have all the albums including the very first ones and I can say I know Judas Priest discography really well. This album took me by surprise. I did not expect they would be able to deliver such a fantastic album in 2024. I have been listening to it over and over for the past 3 weeks and I can say that the more I listen to it, the more I like it. In the begining, I thought it was quite close to the quality of Screaming for Vengeance which is my favorite album from JP. Now I think I like it as much as SFV. Invicible shield had something more, it's like a synthesys of all what JP sound has been over the decades, whith a huge versatility in sounds and inspirations. The production is massive, the guitars riffs come direct from hell and Rob is singing like he is in his prime. This is the definition of heavy metal. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Phenomenal album. In my opinion best priest album since Ram it down (Yes i know). I like this album on first listen better than the first listen of firepower. I’ve listened to this 8 times already and can’t get enough of it. Every song is a 100% killer. I’ll have to go to Barnes and noble and purchase a copy today.
I think almost the same. Not the best album since Ram It Down, honestly in my opinion i think is the best thing Judas did since Defenders Of The Faith. I know the love people has to Painkiller, i love too, and i pretty sure that Invicible Shield could not exist without the 1990 album, but i think some songs of this album doesn't aged well, and the production is kind of embarrasing.
The reason I think it's the best album Priest has ever done is simple, the message of the album. Ritchie almost died, his heart issues, Bob Halford had Prostate cancer, Glen is battling Parkinsons. This album is a testimony of Faith, Survival, life and eternity.
Great review Pete. I opted to pick up the Target exclusive version for the extra tracks & the packaging which is better. I agree that As God As My Witness would have fit on Painkiller. For me I feel like this album is the best of the 3 that Richie has played on (which have all been excellent). After several listens I would put this album right next to Painkiller which places it in my top 5 Priest albums.
Great album. Even though slower I can’t get crown of horns out of my head. Love that most of the album is rockin. Feels firepower painkiller and screaming for vengeance. 4.5. My 12 year old daughter likes it too!
There is a hidden power and urgency within this song. I feel like it could be my fav song off this amazing album and that speaks volumes
Great album!! It rocks!! I got the 14 track version of the CD! The extra tracks are: 'Fight Of Your Life', 'Vicious Circle', and 'The Lodger'. Killer songs! I know everybody is hyped about this album. But, there's another cool album that came out not to long ago. The Rods "Rattle The Cage". I wish Pete would have reviewed it.
Great! Good review, waiting to check them out live June here in Finland!
I’ve heard Invincible Shield a few times so far. I loved it on my first listen and I love it about the same right now. I really like the constant high energy on this album; it makes it feel alive and powerful in a way that even Firepower didn’t (and I really love Firepower). Halford’s vocals sound amazing, especially considering his age. And the guitar work is killer across the board, with incredible solos on almost every song and a guitar tone that might just be my favorite of any JP album. I had a pretty hard time figuring out which song here is my favorite because so many are equally great. Right now, I think that “Trial by Fire” is my favorite, with other strong favorites being “Panic Attack,” “The Serpent and the King,” “Devil in Disguise,” and “Giants in the Sky.” My main critique of the album is that there isn’t much musical diversity; 90% of the album is the same style of fast, energetic, and heavy, with standard metal riffs that have been used hundreds of times before. My secondary critiques are that the bass is extremely quiet in the mix, and the lyrics are really bad on songs like the title track and “Crown of Horns” in my opinion. Thankfully, the music overall is very good and fun to listen to, so I forget about my own critiques while I’m listening. Overall, I really like Invincible Shield, though maybe not quite as much as Firepower due to its focus on one sound. It’s still a top 8 JP album for me and I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10.
My favorites so far are "Gates of Hell", "Crown of Horns", "Giants in the Sky", "Fight of Your Life" and "Vicious Circle".
@@LarryFleetwood8675 Wow two of the bonus tracks. That speaks volumes
looking forward to getting it Pete. Love the Seconds Out shirt, the greatest prog live album of all time bar none. People always wonder why I can love the Priest and love Genesis. Check my mood and that's the answer.
OK just listened to Invincible Shield. What a powerful piece of music. Priest is back!
Good review, enjoy the channel a ton. I love this album, it totally kicks @ss. Funny thing is Crown of Horns is one of my favorite songs on the album...great chorus and love the intro. Not a bad track on this one. Also, you are missing out on the bonus tracks, they are all good especially "The Lodger".
Make sure to get the bonustracks. Very good stuff!
Yep, two of my favorites alone are among those.
Vicious Circle is killer!
Great review. - Give us the bonus review of the 3 bonus tracks. Good year for Metal so far.
Another awesome video has always keep collecting your cds and heavy metal 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻🎸🎸🎸🎸🎤
Great album, got the UK cd with hand signed artwork sheet. Then saw them Saxon and Uriah Heep in Leeds on Wednesday, excellent gig.
Can’t wait to see them again, this coming Wednesday. With Saxon and Uriah Heep as Support Bands. Thanks for the review Pete.
I've been listening non stop to this album since it came out, and my 11 year old son loves it too. His favourite tracks are Trial By Fire and Devil In Disguise. I like those ones but also Gates Of Hell, Panic Attack, and Giants In The Sky. For the latter, I also like that it's a tribute to Lemmy and Dio
Great review. I've listened five times so far and feel it's the best of the Faulkner era. I'm not sure if it reaches the level of albums I view as classics (Sad Wings, Sin After Sin, Stained Class, Hell Bent, British Steel, Screaming, Defenders, and Painkiller) but it's definitely awesome.
I'm a Priest head since 1980 12yrs old. I enjoy every Priest album. Invincible Shield is everything I love about all those Priest albums rolled up into one. That includes the bonus tracks, they are growing on me.
This is a really great album! Id say the best one at least since they got back together in 05! Thankful that we still have the Metal Gods bringing us new tunes! Thanks for the great review Pete! Giants in the Sky Title track Gates of Hell Trial by Fire Panic Attack all highlights for me! I like the couple bonus cuts Lodger and Vicious Circle too!
Pete, interested to know your views on the album now. I think it is superb!
Deserves all the praise. Other legacy bands putting out new stuff(Iron Maiden) should take note. Energy, riffs , bangers, fun. Not trying to reinvent the wheel.
There's a deluxe version of the album at Target. It rules! I have Apple music and it was added to my library Friday morning. I was cranking it as I was getting ready for work on Friday. Great way to start my Friday morning!
You US people are funny. "Can be found at Target" etc. It is a standard Deluxe Edition found everywhere.
@@rabarebra you can only get the deluxe version with the 14 tracks in the digi-book here in the states at Target. Everywhere else has the flimsy cardboard with only 11 tracks
@@kingdude1999 So how come I bought in a store in Oslo, WITHOUT that lame and silly Target sticker?
@@rabarebra well. What State are you in? You got lucky, because every other state has to get it at Target
@@kingdude1999 You know, the world is bigger than the US.
I like the album a lot. I’m finding myself wanting to listen to it again, again.
Hey, just to let you know that Target has the deluxe edition with 3 bonus tracks and much better packaging with the cd not falling out. The bonus material is really good. The first reminds me of the point on entry or hell bent for leather album. Second is vicious circle reminds me of newer mid speed song but great firepower feel. The lodger is very different to all the song but heavy a slow pace song. Its great for sure.
Just saw them live on this tour
Amazing 😎🤟
Mr Halford simply defies time.
except he looks completely different (old as fuk) and doesnt have the upper octave ... I give him credit but I dont blind myself to truth
@@ogopogo1397 He's definitely got the upper octave.
Have you even heard the new album or seen him live recently? His voice is amazing.
Behave!@@ogopogo1397
Expert are we?@@gringoloco4
@@gringoloco4or all the semen you drink.
Just finished listening to the Deluxe album. Was a very solid album! Halford amazed me how good he still sounds. Great riffs, some good choruses.
Listened to it on Saturday.. Amazed by how fantastic Rob Halford sounds at his age.. That is a truly an achievement.. Band sounds Great as well.. 1st listen i wouldn't call it top notch Priest compared to the classics.. But i got the feeling that will improve over future listens.. Now i would give it 7/10 maybe higher to an 8/10.. Glad to have them back.. \m/ \m/
I have 8.5/10 at this time and Firepower 9/10. Its great to see these bands kick so much ass at this stage of the game.
@@tomp4053 Hi Tom.. I am expecting my thoughts on the album to go higher before this coming December's list (will be here before we know it.. LOL.,,).. So much respect to bands like this still rocking it at their age..
I was really amazed at how good this is. Top 5 Priest albums for me.
I’ve listen to this album once and I really enjoyed it from start to finish I agree with everything you said Pete. I would give this album 4.5/5 probably their strongest album since Painkiller
Pete, if you had listened to Escape From Reality you would be talking about the vocals starting at 2:22. That and the overall vibe of the song that pays homage to one of your favorite bands. Go back and listen to it again and pay attention!
Richie Faulkner's guitar playing really shines on this album. It gives you that 1970's and 1980's Judas Priest feel to it. Rob Halford, as usual is the Metal God. Great vocals as always. The drumming by Scott Travis is also superb and helps to drive every song deep into metal madness. If you are an old fan and haven't heard this line-up of the band you should definitely do so. This albums grade is a solid A.
Pete, you have to check out the extra songs on the deluxe edition. Fight for Your Life has serious Stained Class vibes and Vicious Circle is another banger. The Lodger is very different but still pretty interesting.
Yep Fight for Your Life is awesome!
Love all the different views/opinions on here. Mine is that this is JP's best album since Stained Class and/or Painkiller.
Cut me some slack - I'm 59 and first saw Judas Priest in March 1978 at the Music Hall in Aberdeen Scotland.
Pete, will this album be up for display among your CD collection? I think we should be able to see it on the left side of the video screen if you did. The album cover art definitely stands out. I also think you will grow into the album enough to rate it a 4.5!
Great review Pete. 8/10 from me. Probably my favourite JP album since defenders. Trial by fire, as god is my witness & gates of hell being my picks for standout tracks. 👍
Going to see Priest / Saxon / Heep Wednesday night in Leeds UK.
Cracking line up
The new Priest album is amazing! Love the Genesis shirt too! Very diverse musical tastes like myself :)
Can't stop listening to it love it seeing them in April
Still waiting on my copy. Like the tracks I've heard so far. I really enjoyed Firepower and saw them on that tour, with Deep Purple. They'll be coming this way in May, so I'll likely try to see them again.
I currently am enjoying the 11 track version. I may eventually get the Target version too. My favorites have been the title track and "Giants in the Sky" the most and I think the fact that this warranted a special two day early review from SOT is the equivalent of that extra half a point in your rating. ( I actually thought you guys might field a panel to review this like you did with Scorpions "Rock Believer" a couple of years back) Anyway...5 out of 5 from me.
I dig the term legacy band. This is a legacy record that deserves props in their vault. 👏 Loved it
Great album! Judas Priest (and Saxon) are both having an amazing late career resurgence. Iron Maiden take note! 🤘🎸🤘
Maiden should take a note, two or THREE. Fire Shirley right now!
Why would the masters care what the apprentices are doing.
8.5/10
My JP ranking:
1 Painkiller
2 Vengeance
3 Stained
4 Defenders
5 Sad Wings
6 British
7 Hell Bent
8 Sin After sin
9 Invincible
10 Firepower
I made the mistake of ordering that version also but the 3 extra songs on the Target version are definitely worth having. I’ve only listened to them twice but 2/3 of them are definitely as good as everything else on the album. So now I guess I’ll have two version.
Listened through the album once and ”As god is my witness” and ”The serpent and the king” are my clear favorites so far. Kind of thrashy but still very melodic, and the riff is just epic!!
Get the target exclusive edition. It has bonus tracks and a better case.
That shirt! Beautiful. Also, I love this album after a few spins.
Absolute beast of an album, what a start to the year from the UK. Magnum, Saxon and Bruce Dickinson have already dropped ceacking albums, but I think Priest have topped the lot. I agree that the final bonus track, The Lodger, is a bit odd, but this is easily a 4.5/5, possibly a smidge higher if that's allowed!
The slower one, Crown of Horns, that Pete wasn't crazy about is one of my favorites, great melody.
Good review. I love this album so far. I think it is the best since the 80s. I feel like a lot of people are afraid to say it and don’t know why. I feel this one has less fillers than some of their legendary albums.
Love it!❤❤❤ welcome home fellas. 👍👍🤘🤘
Ive only listened to Invincible Shield about 5/6 times and its great. ''Gates of Hell'' is my favorite so far, the middle section and end of the song are outstanding. ''As God is my Witness'' reminds me of ''Hellrider'' from Angel of Retribution, especially the drumming. ''Sons of Thunder'' is upbeat and heavy.
Between Invincible Shield and Firepower, the guitars and drums are top quality on both albums. Rob's vocals and Ian's bass playing are right on par as well.
I purchased this album on Saturday the day after its official release. I had watched some interviews with the band promoting the new album the day before and made up my mind that I had to buy it the next day. Well, you could say I went all out. The only copy that was left available at the music store was a limited edition 2 red heavyweight vinyl records (minus the bonus tracks) and it was not cheap, but I thought to myself ''Well hey I came here for the album, and I don't want to leave the store without it so let's roll the dice and take a leap of faith.'' and that was what I did. I love the packaging and the artwork just screams Judas Priest right back at you, so I placed it on the turntable when I arrived home and sat down and read along to the lyrics and after it was finished, I was not certain as to what my opinion overall was? I loved the previous album Firepower and thought to myself that would be a hard album to follow up on but of course I am willing to give this a fair trial. After a few more spins on the turntable, I must admit this album has really grown on me and I don't mind the fact now that I spent what most folks would probably consider to be too much for just one album. Does it surpass Firepower? I cannot say at the moment but let's give it some time.
Great review Pete.
Been getting great reviews and the odd negative one.
What peed me off on certain reaction channels was they are not fans of Priest but got on board a bit with Firepower then moaned about production on earlier albums Halfords tone bla bla etc etc.
L think it's awesome.
Bought the full package cds, lps, picture discs and cassette etc💯💯💯💯🤘🤘🤘
Loving the album. I wasn't sure they'd match Firepower but I might like it a little more. Their 70s sound peeks through a bit on some of these tracks, which is great.
This is a great album it's very well balanced out.
I would love to know what Pete thinks of the 12, and 13, songs which are great in particular the last one of the deluxe edition.
14,The Lodger. ✅
Hey Pete.. You know they will be playing at least 3 songs from Shield on their new tour. Which 3 are you hoping to see live?
Great review, new album is fantastic!
The entire album is freaking 🔥!
For me, this is the 1a to Firepower's 1b after the Unleashed album. But I'm also 60 yrs old, so of course those '70's Priest albums are untouchable. Everybody loves Painkiller...for me it's a little astringent. Maybe it's the high strung production. Invincible is so full and meaty...
This album is really good!
I got the extended version with the bonus tracks.
This is like Fire Power 2.0 they're very close IMO.
i am truly impressed that a band like this can manage to put out an album of this quality this far into their career. I think many people would agree with it being on par with Firepower, another album I really love. What I miss as others have stated is the old school production. But it is not overproduced just sounds like a modern heavy metal album but a bit better than the drudge that some other legacy bands have been releasing IMO.
The Digi-Book has 3 bonus tracks [at least in Germany/EU], of which one is Fight for Your Life, which Judas Priest already released back in the 2001 Remasters series (which sound amazing). So I guess its a re-recording of that song, since I've not heard the album yet. I ordered the Digi-Book, as Priest is my all time favorite band!
No it's a new song altogether, Fight FOR Your Life on the Killing Machine remaster is an early version of Rock Hard, Ride Free. This one is called Fight OF Your Life.
@@treeduck3705 Why can't people properly read and do their homework?
My impression as a fan since78 is that the best songs are on level with their best. Halfords voice is great , not only screams . There are a few middle on the road songs too. But yes good to see them do it well
I was hoping the deluxe edition with 3 extra tracks would have been used for this review.
Might have to do an addendum for Fight Of Your Life, Vicious Circle, and The Lodger.
Just skimmed through it here, sounds killer! Blows away what KK is doing! Have to agree even with just a cursory glance, think it may be better than Firepower...