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Judas Priest Delivers a Metal Sermon in Vancouver

Band Photo: Judas Priest (?)

Ever wanted to rock out with your cock out? Well fans got the chance at General Motors Place on July 24th as Judas Priest and Testament played the 3rd date of their North American tour. Apparently belts with metal studs, chains and fake bullets are considered potential weapons and were confiscated before the show leaving many fans irate and holding up their pants. A first for any metal show I’ve ever been to. The crowd was a mix of everyone from teens getting their first taste of the Priest to the older fans of the band. It appears as though the metalheads from the Heavy Metal parking lot days have grown up and gotten real jobs and haircuts as the mullets were few and far between.

We arrived at our seats to hear thrash veterans Testament’s second song as opening act. Vocalist Chuck Billy towered above the crowd and was in fine form, belting out songs like it was still 1987. Sadly, the sound mix was horrible and the bass and drums echoed throughout the tin can that is GM place, drowning out the guitars. Given my limited familiarity with Testament’s early material, I can only say that they played some classics and songs off their latest release “The Formation of Damnation” closing with “Disciples of the Watch.” I found myself wishing that their May show in Vancouver hadn’t been canceled due to a conflict with Gigantour as Alex Skolnick bounced around the stage while ripping through songs with machine-like precision. Hopefully they’ll be back in a smaller venue that will showcase their talents.

After a quick intermission, Priest took the stage to the somber “Dawn of Creation” off their latest disc, “Nostradamus.” The stage setup was similar to that used on their 2005 tour with a backdrop of the aforementioned album cover complete with glowing eyes. Rob Halford rose from the stage in a sequin covered gown to sing “Prophecy” before launching into “Metal Gods,” thus driving the Priest fans in the crowd nuts. The set list was identical to the European shows, containing a solid mix of older tracks and a few songs off their last couple releases. Highlights included “Between the Hammer and the Anvil,” “Hell Patrol” and a ripping version of “Pain Killer.” They played a fair number of lesser-known songs which casual fans may not have been familiar with but it was a relief not to hear “Living After Midnight” again.

For the most part, the music was fast paced and only briefly interrupted by the droning new song “Death” and the ballad “Angel.” The Priest soundboard guys got the mix right and Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing’s twin guitars rang clear. Halford showed that he could still sing although he looked like he needs to see a chiropractor as he was hunched over trying to hit the high notes and moved slowly across the stage. Thankfully, the drum kit was elevated, as Scott Travis was easily the most animated member of the group, pounding the drums with abandon and tossing his drumsticks in the air throughout the night.

As on previous tours, Halford roared onto the stage on a motorcycle for the encore and proceeded to work the crowd into a frenzy with a call and response shtick before they closed the show with “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming." Although the band didn’t have the energy of a younger Judas Priest or even an old Iron Maiden, the quality musicianship made this a satisfying evening with the self-proclaimed “Metal Gods.”

Set list:

1. Dawn of Creation
2. Prophecy
3. Metal Gods
4. Eat Me Alive
5. Between the Hammer & the Anvil
6. Devil's Child
7. Breaking the Law
8. Hell Patrol
9. Death
10. Dissident Aggressor
11. Angel
12. The Hellion/Electric Eye
13. Rock Hard, Ride Free
14. Sinner
15. Painkiller
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16. Hell Bent for Leather
17. The Green Manalishi (With the Two Pronged Crown!)
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18. You've Got Another Thing Coming