SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JUDAS PRIEST – INVINCIBLE SHIELD

JUDAS PRIEST
INVINCIBLE SHIELD
SONY MUSIC

Judas Priest’s debut album was released in 1974 (Rocka Rolla), and 50 years later, they are still going strong. Invincible Shield marks 50 years of putting out solid hard rock/heavy metal albums. Sure, some of the line-up has changed, but Judas Priest continues with their own brand of driving hard music. Invincible Shield is no exception. This is a loud, rocking, force of nature album.

Under the guitar solos and bursts of energy, Judas Priest has always had solid melodies and strong songs. The title track, “Invincible Shield” is a good example. Yes, there are some fast guitar solos, but at the base is a solid song. This is true for most of the songs on the album.

“Trial By Fire” is another example of their ability to use their tools and skill to bring the songs to a whole different level.

Lyrically the album is pretty much doom and gloom. Not much to look forward to in their opinion. It doesn’t offer much hope, but with the closing track, “Giants In The Sky”, there is “The sound of their music/Alive in the cosmos/There’s power in the air” A little bit of hope, but really the album, lyrically, is quite dark and foreboding of what is to come given the course the earth is on at this time. But this is nothing really different for the band. They have always brought in the dark side of life into their songs and albums, but usually with a sense of humour or goodwill (such as “Diamonds & Rust” or even “Take On The World”). There really isn’t much humour on Invincible Shield. It is a hard album, and that is the only criticism for the album. While the songs are expertly performed and recorded (it is extremely well-produced), a little diversity throughout the album would have been nice. Just a few changes in tempo here and there would have been welcomed.

Overall, Invincible Shield proves that there is a lot of life in Judas Priest. They also prove that they rock harder, faster, and louder than most young heavy metal bands. And they also show that one does not have to sacrifice the song in order to be loud and hard. Judas Priest have come up with yet another winner in their ever-growing catalogue.

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