Judas Priest - FirePower - new album 2018

I'd tend to agree. A few tunes popped up on shuffle the other day in the car and they still hold up well.

Gilbert wrote:

This is the best album of 2018 so far.

Agreed!

You asked how they could do an album like this so late in their careers. If I had to guess, I would say it's b/c they are just simply doing what they want. They are not trying to ride a trend or change their sound; and they are not pigeon holed for lyrics and music- it's still "Judas Priest style Heavy Metal!" and the inclusion of Richie probably makes a difference. Some younger blood and energy. A concept album? no problem. 19 tracks total on the last album? Sure. Each of the last few times I have seen them -'12,'14, and '18, they have played for 2 hours each time with no intermission. The juices are flowing. I hope it stays that way.

Still? Damn, it feels brand new to me.

corplhicks wrote:

Hot damn this album is still badass.      

Hell yeah

I might have to buy it now.
Personally, I don’t like the guy who replaced KK. Period.
He’s not a Priest. He’s a rouge altar boy at best.
He hasn’t done ANYTHING before Priest.
Another hired gun type. Please.
Let George Lynch or Jake Lee fill the spot on the next record.
“ Richie “ can’t touch copying KK.
Just like the guy pretending to be Ace.
Sure. Do it for years. But no way on earth - can that guy improve the real Priest.

Glower wrote:

I might have to buy it now.
Personally, I don’t like the guy who replaced KK. Period.
He’s not a Priest. He’s a rouge altar boy at best.
He hasn’t done ANYTHING before Priest.
Another hired gun type. Please.
Let George Lynch or Jake Lee fill the spot  on the next record.
“ Richie “ can’t touch copying KK.
Just like the guy pretending to be Ace.
Sure. Do it for years. But no way on earth - can that guy improve the real Priest.

Speaking as a guitarist, IMHO Faulkner is a quality axeman. He got a great affinity for staccato scaling and playing around fifths. Also his vibrato is off the chart. He's technically better than KK (and Glenn), but one thing he does match up to is the energy and melody KK was known for. I think Richie does an amazing job.

As far as him not "doing ANYTHING," dude, he was in a signed band. Their debut was produced by Steve Harris.

Yeah, what was the band thinking picking him. They're obviously clueless.

Glower wrote:

I might have to buy it now.
Personally, I don’t like the guy who replaced KK. Period.
He’s not a Priest. He’s a rouge altar boy at best.
He hasn’t done ANYTHING before Priest.
Another hired gun type. Please.
Let George Lynch or Jake Lee fill the spot  on the next record.
“ Richie “ can’t touch copying KK.
Just like the guy pretending to be Ace.
Sure. Do it for years. But no way on earth - can that guy improve the real Priest.

What? Richie Faulkner is amazing. I thought he was great before his time in Priest when I saw him live, and I was hoping he'd get a better gig than Lauren Harris. 

He is a rocker, a badass player and I think it's great he got his one shot at glory.

Richie is a fantastic player indeed. A true asset to Priest.

Richie is good but not good for Priest !

He seems to fit in and he's an official member. Lynch or Jake Lee would truly be hired guns and wouldn't be full time members of the band.

Dark Horseman wrote:

He seems to fit in and he's an official member. Lynch or Jake Lee would truly be hired guns and wouldn't be full time members of the band.

I have this itch that tells me he composed the majority of the riffing in Firepower. I could be wrong. Can't explain it.

Yeah, I mean if you don't like new Priest, fine. But I don't get attacking Faulkner. He's the least of their worries.

Both Redeemer and Fire Power showcase his ability. And both have a selection of great Priest songs. I'll take both ahead of the two prior albums without Richie.

Still love it, fantastic album I'll listen to it again tomorrow if time allows

I have A few choice albums that I put on my grass cutting playlist. This is one of the album's on it. A great listen.

I'm gonna re-listen to this today. When it came out, I thought it was okay, but I couldn't see myself queueing it up much when I could put on Sad Wings of Destiny or Hellbent for Leather instead.

But maybe I was wrong.

007 wrote:

I have A few choice albums that I put on my grass cutting playlist. This is one of the album's on it. A great listen.

Very high praise LOL

I still spin "Firepower" on a semi-regular basis, which is not something I can say about its predecessor, "Redeemer of Souls," which has been sitting on the shelf ever since its "newness" wore off.

I tried playing Redeemer of Souls last week since Firepower got me all Pumped for Priest, but man that mix is so horrible it wrecks the experience.

In fact, I'm beginning to think the thing that Firepower has going for it is the beefy production. It's thick, huge, and other dirty adjectives. THIS is the way modern heavy metal should sound.

After giving Firepower a fresh listen, i do think it's pretty solid. I would shave off probably 5 of the 14 songs though. Then release those later as an EP with some kinda of Firepower themed title...like Stray Bullets or something.

ZombieHavoc wrote:

After giving Firepower a fresh listen, i do think it's pretty solid. I would shave off probably 5 of the 14 songs though. Then release those later as an EP with some kinda of Firepower themed title...like Stray Bullets or something.

I'm glad you're not employed by the Priest camp. Ripping off fans like that!

Lari wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

After giving Firepower a fresh listen, i do think it's pretty solid. I would shave off probably 5 of the 14 songs though. Then release those later as an EP with some kinda of Firepower themed title...like Stray Bullets or something.

I'm glad you're not employed by the Priest camp. Ripping off fans like that!

Maybe I should just make my own.

Having a kickass tight album and a nice bonus EP is a win to me instead of a bloated record where I lose interest before it ends.

ZombieHavoc wrote:

Lari wrote:

ZombieHavoc wrote:

After giving Firepower a fresh listen, i do think it's pretty solid. I would shave off probably 5 of the 14 songs though. Then release those later as an EP with some kinda of Firepower themed title...like Stray Bullets or something.

I'm glad you're not employed by the Priest camp. Ripping off fans like that!

Maybe I should just make my own.

Having a kickass tight album and a nice bonus EP is a win to me instead of a bloated record where I lose interest before it ends.

You can paypal me $10 and pretend you were sold an EP on top of the album.

I'm happy having all the songs from the sessions on the same disc.