Judas Priest Nostradamus Title track released

I left the house early on my way to work and picked it up. It's okay so far. I skimmed through Disc 1 which was nothing special, so far, Disc 2 is pretty good ("Exiled" and "Alone" are really good).

I just finished listening to the my copy of the album.

As I love Priest so much, this is hard to say: I'M DISAPPOINTED! The strange thing is this is actually an excellent album. After repeated listens, I know I'll come to love this album. However, right now I think they went way too overboard on the whole atmospheric thing. Don't get me wrong, I love atmospheric concept metal albums. I love Iced Earth's Framing Armageddon. I'm disappointed with this one because, IMO, there's almost nothing Priest about it. Only in a few instances did I see resemblances to Painkiller- and/or AOR-era Priest. The title track is certainly phenominal (I had extremely high hopes after that single was released a while back). There's just a real lack of riff-based, attitude-filled, real Priest-like metal in this album. On every track is sounds like they're trying to create the most musically-complex, epic song ever made. I love all that stuff like crazy, but I wish they had better balanced those elements with some aggression, riffs, and hooks. I'm not asking for "Living After Midnight" part 2; oh god no! Nor am I asking for a carbon copy of any of their albums. Painkiller is completely different from Sin After Sin, and, yet, I love both of them; I loved "Lockness" from AOR; I'm always down for experimentation. I just wish they could have kept at least some of their core sound.

I'm sure many of you will disagree with me. Let me stress again that I think this is an awesome album, on its own merits. Viewing it as a Priest album, I'm a little bumbed out. I think now that the first listen is done, I can begin to appreciate it beyond the hype. Maybe I just hyped it up too much.

I'm getting into it more and more. Sure, I'd love it if Priest continued with their typical heavy metal sound, but I respect the heck outta'em for trying something different.

Some bands are content to be a nostalgia act or to pretty much copy their past songs and pass them off as "new", Priest is out there putting out new music that's totally different from anything they've done in the past. Props for that.

And I wouldn't even say Priest has "changed" their sound. It's just one concept album and the music fits the theme. I doubt we'll see another nearly 2 hour, 2 disc concept album from them again. This was something the band was really passionate about, I think the next time they'll go all out for the fans

JUDAS PRIEST Fan Listens To 'Nostradamus' 365 Straight Days! - June 15, 2009

Monday, June 15, 2009 marks the 365th straight day Cleveland, Ohio JUDAS PRIEST fan Jim Bartek has listened to PRIEST's "Nostradamus" from start to finish. Bartek's one-year listening obsession was completed early on Monday morning at 1:46 a.m. EST. Bartek's initial listen came on June 16, 2008 when he first obtained a copy of the double-disc concept album, which is based on the mysterious, world-known 16th century French prophet Nostradamus. He has now spent approximately 624 hours (26 days) of his life listening to the set. Bartek, who owns all of the various configurations of "Nostradamus" (vinyl, deluxe CD, regular CD) and has been a dedicated PRIEST fan dating back to 1978, has an extensive collection that includes PRIEST albums, posters, patches, buttons, magazines, etc. "I've spent a lot of money on JUDAS PRIEST over the years," he says, "but it has all been money well spent. It is not hard for anyone to figure out who my favorite band is". Asked why "Nostradamus"has made such an impact in his life, Bartek responds, "I wish I could answer that! I don't know, it just grabs me and I enjoy listening to it. I honestly wish I could pinpoint and give a rock-solid answer but I can't." Bartek adds "The flow of the record and the way you can just feel what the guy (Nostradamus) was going through from the way PRIEST play and sing it. Rob's [Halford] vocals tell you exactly how the guy is feeling at a particular moment. It all just fits perfectly. I'm not tired of it yet. It's an epic record about a very interesting subject." Bartek continues, "This is the first album that has ever intrigued me so much both musically and vocally. The subject matter is fascinating as well. I did not know much about the man Nostradamus before the album was released and ended up going to the library to do research to find out more about his life." Bartek names "Pestilence And Plague" as his personal favorite track from the album, with "Prophecy" and "Future Of Mankind" following close behind. He makes it clear though that he loves ALL the songs on the album and enjoys listening to them as a complete set. Bartek did come close to ending his listening streak once last fall. "I went fishing in a remote area back in September and we did not come in off the lake until after 9 p.m.", he recalls. "By the time I got back to the cabin, it was already after 10 p.m. I started listening to the album and finished just before midnight, with only 15 minutes to spare. That was a close call. At midnight, I started it up again and listened all the way through for the next day! This experience made me run out and buy a MP3 player that I carry with me at all times in case an emergency like this arises again". JUDAS PRIEST will perform in Cleveland on July 15, 2009 at the Time-Warner Cable Amphitheater. Bartek will attend the show and hopes to be able to finally have a chance to meet and say hello to his heroes. "I have never met the band and would love the opportunity", he says. "I was overseas in the service for many years and PRIEST's music got me through some challenging times". He also wants to personally thank them for all the great music over the years and for creating and releasing a masterpiece like "Nostradamus". Shortly after the concert was announced, Bartek received a mysterious package in the mail. "A package sent from one of the overnight delivery carriers arrived at my house with one third-row ticket to PRIEST's Cleveland show inside," explains Bartek. "There was no name on the package and I have no idea who sent the ticket. The ticket was worth well over $100. It's a mystery to me but I am very appreciative to whoever sent it. I'm looking forward to the show. I am wondering who will be sitting next to me though." Bartek is hoping PRIEST will include his all-time favorite song, the non-"Nostradamus" track "The Sinner", in the setlist. "I just love K.K. Downing's guitar playing on that song," he says. How long will the streak continue? Bartek says he plans on ending it shortly after the band's Cleveland show in July, much to the relief of his concerned friends and family. "It will be close to 400 days when the tour hits Cleveland," states Bartek. "I'll end it at Day 400 or 401. After that, I'll probably go every other day listening to the album!" When the streak does come to an end, expect a big party at one of the local drinking establishments to be hosted by friends, family and Cleveland PRIEST fans. The event will even be attended by Bartek's dog, who has faithfully listened to the album hundreds of times as well. "He has a place on the couch he sits and listens with me," says Bartek. "He knows when it's PRIEST time!". Bartek has become a popular cult icon in the Cleveland area and can be seen out and about sporting his PRIEST attire. "I never really planned for anything like this to happen," he claims. "It's not about keeping a streak going for me. I genuinely love listening to the album. The local media picked up on it and the rest is history. It has been a fun experience and brings a smile to everyone's face I talk to about it. Life is too short not to enjoy it".

Next time someone tells me I'm too geeky about music, I can say "Well at least I'm not this guy"

Well, that's 364 more times than I could listen to it.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Well, that's 364 more times than I could listen to it.

I'm glad I don't live next door to him. He would've had a grenade thrown thru his window long ago.