Judas Priest: Firepower Review
Firepower marks the 18th studio album from the legendary Judas Priest. It’s official. The Priest is back!
Firepower’s album cover harkens back to their 80’s glory days. It’s hard not to think of Screaming for Vengeance when glancing at the artwork. Obscured in a sea of flames, Firepower portrays an airborne beast of steel much like the Hellion. The color scheme of red and yellow only enhances similarities to the iconic record sleeve.
This new metal monster is no nameless entity. Much like Screaming For Vengeance, Defenders of the Faith, and Painkiller, the back cover forges a new chapter in Judas Priest lore. Behold the birthing of TITANICUS!
FORGED BY CONFLAGRATION OF MOLTEN METAL FURY IN HELLION-METALLION. A WARRIOR FOR JUSTICE AND SALVATION. ULTIMATE GOD OF FIREPOWER: TITANICUS
In another nod to the past, the band welcomes back producer Tom Allom. Responsible for the impressive run of 80’s Priest albums, including 1979’s Unleashed in the East, Allom now joins forces with co-producer Andy Sneap.
Despite the nostalgia-inducing artwork, most songs on Firepower bear little resemblance to Screaming for Vengeance. Judas Priest are firmly immersed in the present. We are witnessing a distinct era in the band’s lengthy career. Future assessments will surely refer to “the Faulkner years” when discussing Firepower.
Richie Faulkner has done the impossible and gained acceptance from Judas Priest fans. Like Redeemer of Souls before it, Faulkner is credited as a songwriter besides Rob Halford and Glenn Tipton. It’s hard to imagine a more worthy predecessor to the mighty K.K. Downing. Both in the studio and on stage, Faulkner has injected new life into Judas Priest.
“Lightning Strike” served as the leadoff single. The song has garnered instant approval from fans and corporate radio has backed the track. Even the notorious un-metal Philadelphia market played the song in heavy rotation.
Judas Priest dropped another video the day Firepower hit stores. “Spectre” is a mid-tempo song that will surely become a modern Priest classic.
The title track is the sound of vintage Priest. A fast tempo and stellar guitar work make “Firepower” the perfect opener. Halford’s vocal performance is nothing short of brilliant. On the chorus and throughout the album, the metal god hits high notes that should be out of reach for a 66 year old man. It’s been 44 years since Judas Priest released Rocka Rolla and Halford’s voice remains in fine form.
Unfortunately, this latest triumph has been marred by tragedy. In the weeks preceding Firepower, Judas Priest announced that long-time ax-man Glenn Tipton would not be joining Priest on tour (an announcement made AFTER tickets went on sale). While not actually QUITTING the band, the late stages of Parkinson’s Disease have made it impossible for the esteemed guitarist to execute his demanding guitar parts.
Naturally the absence of Glenn on tour has fueled speculation about the demise of Judas Priest. Will Firepower be the band’s swan song? Only time will tell. For now, it’s time to rejoice. There is a new entry in the mighty Judas Priest canon. Throw Firepower on the turntable and play it LOUD!
