Believe it or not, this is The Priest’s 16th studio album. It was also the last to feature guitarist KK Downing, as he then threw his toys out of the playpen and decided to leave the band. He seems to have been trying to get back in ever since. This was also Priest’s first attempt at a concept album, being based on the scribblings of the 16th century noodler Nostradamus. This is the limited edition box set spread over 3 LPs – what a nice looking package it is. Looking through the credits, no mention is made of a keyboard player – just the use of synthesized guitars…..mmmmmm!!!!
On to the first track proper, Prophecy, and it just happens to be the best track. Decent chorus and a standard Priest riff – just what you’d expect. Revelations is next, and basically sets the tone for the rest of the album as a Rob Halford solo piece – or at least that’s what it feels like. War is next, with an almost operatic intro from Halford – not very Priestly at all. I know Halford had been working on this for a few years before he reconnected with the band. In my opinion he should have made this as part of his solo project, because it just does not fit with the band’s style. Pestilence And Plague and Death fly by, and with titles like that you expect a lot more.
Every song starts the same, with this atmospheric beginning with Halford wishing he was an opera star, and the rest of the band take a back seat throughout. Persecution isn’t too bad and a move in the right direction, and then BOOM, back we go with Exile. Where are Priests trademark guitars??? It’s not until we get to Nostradamus that we get something that is worthy of the name Judas Priest. If you’re expecting a big ending then you will be disappointed, as Future Of Mankind is just a standard plodder.
So what do we make of that, I hear you ask? The worst Priest album by a mile, the songs are just not good enough. Great subject matter just not executed very well.
4.5/10 from The Grooveman.
