British metal legends Judas Priest roar back into the spotlight and take on all comers with Invincible Shield, an incredible half a century after their debut album.
Judas Priest, featuring the exalted trio of Rob Halford, Ian Hill, and Glenn Tipton, alongside longtime cohorts Scott Travis and Richie Faulkner, first revealed Invincible Shield’s existence during their show at California's Power Trip festival in 2023. It’s been a long six year wait since they last graced us with new music in the form of 2018’s Firepower.
Along with the new album comes a monumental milestone for Judas Priest - 50 years of relentless metal magic, with an astounding 50 million records sold worldwide. Throughout a career that’s seen members and musical trends come and go, the band has experienced their share of ups and downs but have always remained unmistakably Priest. They helped launch the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and have inspired just about every metal band to come after them. And they continue to dominate stages with a show and energy that’s often copied, but rarely matched.
As for the new album, it certainly has its share of great moments. “The Serpent And The King” flies out of the speakers with a fury reminiscent of Screaming For Vengeance era Priest, with an always classic theme of good vs. evil. Meanwhile, “Crown Of Horns” opens with a riff that proves no matter how many great riffs you’ve written over half a century, there’s always more in a great guitar player’s back pocket. It’s also Priest at their most melodic, with Halford showing that he’s a true singer, not just a screamer. “Trial By Fire” delivers more solid riffage (I shouldn’t be surprised, it’s what the band does best), and feels both accusatory and cleansing. I don’t know what I did, but I think I might be in trouble. “Panic Attack” is simply Priest doing everything they do best in a five-minute span, with hard charging guitars and classic Halford vocals.
The journey of Judas Priest has undoubtedly been an unlikely one, with each passing year adding another chapter to their legacy after being counted out several times along the way. In 2022, they achieved the pinnacle of recognition with induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, something I don’t think any fan could’ve predicted back when Beavis & Butthead were making jokes about “Breakin’ The Law.” Now it’s 2024 and Judas Priest remain at the top of their game at the top of their field, with Invincible Shield reaffirming their bonafide status as Metal Gods.