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Halford - "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" (CD)

Halford - "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" CD cover image

"Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" track listing:

1. Resurrection
2. Made In Hell
3. Screaming In The Dark
4. Golgotha
5. Silent Screams
6. Crystal
7. Into The Pit
8. Nailed To The Gun
9. Slow Down
10. Locked And Loaded
11. Forgotten Generation
12. Drop Off
13. War Of Words
14. Sun
15. Trail Of Tears
16. Hypocrisy (U.S. Mix)

Reviewed by on September 8, 2008

"The album contains some of the best examples of what makes heavy metal great "

The name of this collection is "Metal God Essentials" and quite frankly there is no better title for it. Rob Halford is perhaps the greatest frontman in the history of heavy metal and deserves the title of "Metal God." The songs on this album are definitely essential for anyone who wants to explore his work outside of Judas Priest and makes for a fantastic introduction to the frontman's solo work.

The album contains some of the best examples of what makes heavy metal great, with tracks like "Made In Hell" and "Forgotten Generation" bringing frantic headbanging by the truckload inn additrion to catchy hooks and memorable lines. The collection also contains some of the most interesting music Rob Halford has ever worked on in the shape of "Silent Screams" and some of his best vocal work in "Resurrection."

To top it off, "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" comes with a bonus DVD featuring other fantastic Halford songs that aren't on the CD, such as "Betrayer," as well as some cool live footage and insights into the life on the road and the recording process. Whilst not every song on "Metal God Essentials - Volume 1" can be called a certified metal classic, there isn't a bad song on the disc and it's certainly the best introduction to what Rob Halford was up to in his years away from Judas Priest.

Highs: Every song is an unholy slab of metal that begs to be turned up full blast and the bonus DVD is worth the price alone.

Lows: Since the CD contains a few tracks from one of Halford's other solo projects "Fight," it would be nice to have included a couple of songs from his other project, 2wo.

Bottom line: If you don't own any of Halford's solo efforts, pick this up and you will become a fan instantly. This collection is a monument to why Rob Halford will forever be known as the Metal God.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 skulls
4.5 out of 5 skulls


Get more info including news, reviews, interviews, links, etc. on our Halford band page.

Key
Rating Description
Rated 5 out of 5 skulls Perfection. (No discernable flaws; one of the reviewer's all-time favorites)
Rated 4.5 out of 5 skulls Near Perfection. (An instant classic with some minor imperfections)
Rated 4 out of 5 skulls Excellent. (An excellent effort worth picking up)
Rated 3.5 out of 5 skulls Good. (A good effort, worth checking out or picking up)
Rated 3 out of 5 skulls Decent. (A decent effort worth checking out if the style fits your tastes)
Rated 2.5 out of 5 skulls Average. (Nothing special; worth checking out if the style fits your taste)
Rated 2 out of 5 skulls Fair. (There is better metal out there)
< 2 skulls Pretty Bad. (Don't bother)