Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution

Went through 240 threads and, obviously, this album came out while we were still the Ultimatum board.  So, listen to it again and give me your thoughts.  A lot of haters/lovers when it came out.

***credit:  Fat Freddy for making me "pull it out" again.

Always thought it was a great release.

Didn't love it then, but it doesn't suck. Halford's voice is a bit grating on this CD.

I always liked the first single, Revolution, a lot.

So glad I inspired Unca Sax to "pull it out.."  

Anywhoo, aside from "Revolution" and the sleeping-pill "Loch Ness," I've always liked "AoR"...

It's not as strong as the two "Halford" albums Rob did while he was away, but it's an improvement over the Ripper-era Priest albums, esp. "Demolition" (yuk).

It's pretty much a nice "safe" Priest album, i.e. it's what everybody expected to hear from them. They went off the deep end on the next one ("Nostradamus") though.

It’s like a typical AC DC release.
One or two great songs - and the rest - average.
“ Wheels of Fire “ “ Worth Fighting For “ - are my only two favorites.
It’s NOT on my top five Priest releases. I will say that.

Loved it then, love it now. I thought it was a fine "come back" album for the band. Pretty much hit on everything Priest fans would want from the band. Heck, I even like 'Loch Ness'.

It is an Ok album. Not one i often go back to when i am in the mood for some Priest.

Safe is a good way to say it, it's decent enough but not a regular player.

Loved it then, love it now

Hell yeah! Kicked me in the nuts the first time I heard it, still gets frequent spins from me today. I feel it's their heaviest album with Travis on board, kind of like Painkiller updated for the times. As much as I love Firepower, AoR seems to have a bit more muscle and might. And Downing's presence (obvious to me) makes it soar. A scorcher of a comeback.

And I will defend Lochness until it is written on my tombstone!

Loved it then, love it now. Lochness is a steaming turd though and foreshadowed the disaster that was Nostradamus.

Corpl-

It was decent, but somewhat underwhelming. They won me back with Redeemer of Souls and especially Firepower.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Corpl-

"JP'S LOCHNESS IS THE SHIT "
1980-2096

(I want that emoji in there too, dammit)

I really like it - the only song I don't like is "Loch Ness", which is one of the most boring songs they've ever written - it's even more boring than most of Jugulator, which to me is really saying something. I really like Demolition, though.

Thought it was a great album, but loch Ness should have been edited to about three minutes and call it good. Only weak spot on the album imo.

I voted the second option.

I was listening to mostly Christian metal when it came out so I didn't pay attention to it. When I started getting into Priest a number of years later I really liked it on first listen and thought it was a strong reunion with Halford. However, it has since been overshadowed by Redeemer of Souls and Firepower. Still, it's an album I can definitely enjoy now and then, especially when I'm anticipating seeing them live, as will be the case in May!

Loch Ness is the first song that grabbed my attention when I first spun this, still one of my favorite tracks on this fine lp!

Okay, who voted "never heard it"?

I liked this one. It's not one of their best as a whole, but better than some of the "classic" releases (*cough Turbo *cough *cough). I enjoy hearing this one every once in awhile. I think "Angel" is one of their best ballads, period!

I probably like this album, but not love it, though I voted for loved it then and love it now. I certainly don't find this to be an average album. Regarding Lochness, the first 4 minutes are intriguing, but then it goes into a tailspin with one of the worst choruses of all time.

It’s not bad, but I never cared for it.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Loved it then, love it now. I thought it was a fine "come back" album for the band. Pretty much hit on everything Priest fans would want from the band. Heck, I even like 'Loch Ness'.

What MG said.

I need to revisit this album. It has been years.

Gilbert wrote:

I need to revisit this album. It has been years.

I should probably revisit this as well.