JUDAS PRIEST Still Got It With An “Invincible Shield”

“…Judas Priest solidifies their place as metal titans (as if there was ever any question)…”

Is it bad that I can’t stop looking at the album cover while listening to this album? I’m sure it’s not a problem, though my eyes haven’t blinked for an hour and I think I’m feeling the effects.

When I heard earlier this week that Judas Priest were back with a new album, I nearly lost it! Apparently I’m one of the few who didn’t hear the first single come out 4 months ago, and was shocked to hear the news. Immediately I put it on my calendar to listen and review it the moment it comes out… Happy day after release! Also, happy 6th to their last album “Firepower”! That album ranked high on my best of 2018 list and then topped it a couple years later with frequent listens.

So what does that say for this new album? Is Invincible Shield a stellar follow-up? Better than Firepower? Or is it a sign of age catching up to the metal gods?

Holy shit they still got it! They definitely still got it! From the very first track to the last haunting story, the album is a rollercoaster of energy, riffage, and classic Priest vibes that has left me with a stiff neck and so much excitement for further listening

The album kicks off with "Panic Attack," which immediately sets the tone with its interesting anime opening feel, blending synths and metal guitars seamlessly. Rob Halford's vocals soar over the energetic instrumentation, proving that he's still a force to be reckoned with. As the album progresses, tracks like "The Serpent and the King" and the title track "Invincible Shield" keep the energy levels sky-high with blistering guitar work and pounding drums.

"Devil In Disguise" brings a mid-tempo stomp that's impossible to resist headbanging to, while "Crown of Horns" adds a touch of radio-friendly rock sound that could easily make it a chart-topper. Not even kidding, if “Crown of Horns” gets more radio play than “Panic Attack”, I wouldn’t be surprised, for the good sound of the song and also radio rock’s persistence to not play the heaviest of the heavy.

This is also a good point to mention the great production of this album. Judas Priest has always had stellar production in their releases. First example that comes to mind is the destructive drum sound of Painkiller. While the drum production isn’t as explosive, you can tell Scott Travis is still a force to be reckoned with.

… wait, diverted my attention away again. Production as a whole shines on Invincible Shield, with each track expertly crafted to deliver maximum impact. The album keeps going, as "Escape from Reality" grooves hard with heavy riffs and an interesting use of the phaser effect, while "Sons of Thunder" delivers catchy riffing and a chanting chorus that's gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the weekend.

"Giants In The Sky" and "Fight of Your Life" keep the momentum going with their infectious energy and feel-good vibes (yes really, “Fight of Your Life” is the kind of inspirational work-out music that many will be adding to their playlist soon), and then the album closes with "The Lodger," a slower track that packs a punch with its haunting chord progressions and unforgettable chorus. I thought for a bit I was getting like ‘Disney Villain’ vibes, like this is something an old school disney cartoon would play for the villain song. But then again, I had been exposed to way more Disney TikTok than previous for some reason, and I wasn’t confident with that comparison. It kinda sound more like a Twin Peaks mystery vibe, fitting with the lyrics of the song.

Overall, Invincible Shield is a testament to Judas Priest's enduring legacy in the world of metal. With their 19th album, the band proves that they haven't lost a step, delivering a powerhouse performance from start to finish. From Rob Halford's impeccable vocals to the seamless blend of guitar work from Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, every aspect of this album shines… well okay maybe not every aspect.

To be honest, at 14 songs this album doesn’t need to be that long for the official release. But that’s not to say some songs are filler, more like this would’ve been a deluxe edition release with extra bonus material. But I digress. the album as a whole is a powerhouse of metal mastery that proves Judas Priest are still at the top of their game after 19 albums.

It’s arguably on par with their 2018 release Firepower. Sure, not much of an improvement, but it doesn’t need to be. With Invincible Shield, Judas Priest solidifies their place as metal titans (as if there was ever any question), showing that they're still at the top of their game after all these years.

Dare I say even, if this album has anything to say about it - the rest of this year’s releases will need to fight hard to dethrone this album from the top spot of the end of year list. If that does happen, I will be amazingly surprised.