Friend of Decibel Geek and host of the Talking Metal podcast, Mark Strigl recently attended a listening session for the upcoming Judas Priest album. Firepower is due to be released in March of 2018 and features the current lineup of Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Richie Faulkner, and Scott Travis. Co-produced by Tom Allom and Andy Sneap, Firepower will be released on Epic Records. Read Mark’s report below:
Judas Priest Firepower
I was invited by the band’s publicist to Epic Records in NYC, I was the first listen of the day on the first day of press. Scott Travis and Rob Halford were there. They first played me the band’s new music video for the first single off the album (which is not the title track that they released a clip of a couple weeks ago) Then they played me every song on the album but one. After the interview I interviewed Scott for an upcoming episode of Talking Metal.
Best album since Painkiller, possibly since Defenders [of the Faith]. It touches upon all eras of the band’s history from Sad Wings [of Destiny] to Screaming [for Vengeance] to Painkiller and everything (and I do mean everything) in between, sometimes all within one song. So nice to hear Halford tap into some of the vocal stylings of his past that we haven’t heard in years. Such a beautiful clean singing voice. I have lots more to say about certain songs and sounds but have been told not to discuss any details in public until I’m given the ok. More to come.
Judging from Mark’s report, this sounds like a Judas Priest album that will please many. What do YOU hope to get from the upcoming Firepower album? Let us know in the comments below.
Be sure to check out Talking Metal’s interview with Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis coming soon.
You can also hear the Decibel Geek podcast discuss the entire Judas Priest catalog through Nostradamus in this 2014 episode with guest Metal Tim Henderson of BraveWords.
3 thoughts on “Report From Judas Priest Firepower Listening Session – Lots of Variety!”
I just heard “Lightning Strike” in its entirety and it’s fantastic! Sounds like this album will be the album Redeemer should’ve been! The Priest is BAAACK!!!!
Best since Painkiller? They haven’t outdone Angel of Retribution yet so that would be a accomplishment. It does sound like Faulkner’s better integrated here then in past efforts.
When will you be allowed to post some more comments on the album? It’s January 29th already.
Thanks!
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