PURE CLASS FROM THE PRIEST.
"NOSTRADAMUS" IS CLEARLY A MASTERPICE!!!!!!!!!!

This is my second post ever.  (First being on June 22nd in this thread).

As i stated in my first post they have done this for a bigger purpose then most of us are seeing.  Re-read my first post and Rob's comments will now make sense.

This was posted in the "Around the Horn" thread today:

"Encouraged to imagine himself gazing into a crystal ball on the cover of the latest issue of Decibel Magazine (seen below), Halford said, "I do predict that Nostradamus' is going to be embraced.  I can see it being performed by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. I think I can also se a Grammy in there."

In my original post I should have stated Las Vegas instead of Broadway show.

Tasnam

I grew up in the crossroads between hip hop and metal. They were both born of resistance culture and I was into that from birth. :)  Both metal and hip hop in their way gave the finger to the system. So I played them together with bombastic type symphony music which is why Priest, Pink Floyd, Rush, and Purple as well as Sabbath and some others really spoke to me. Far as I am concerned it's all blues. Sarah Vaughan sang it, Billie crooned it, Muddy played it, Little Rich and Chuck Berry rocked it, Sabbath ground it to E chords, Priest speeded it up and made it bombastic. Priest doing Johnny B Goode was trying to bring it full circle. It all comes from this deep sense of opening the social envelope. Subvert the dominant paradigm...defend the faith.

Dp Da Reapa

This is my first ever post.   I have been lurking this site for years (since its beginning) and signed up two years ago but never posted to a topic yet.

I believe (for right or wrong/good or bad) JP has set up this release perfectly for a future Broadway production.  (Again I am not posting my personal opinion if they should or not).

It just makes sense.


Act 1 and Act 2
A complete story of an individual
A very good basis for a story
It has both Rock and widely accepted NON-rock elements (orchestra & symphony) that the masses would accept
It could be a final production for them (who knows?)
IT has been done before:

Mama Mia / Abba (which was very good BTW - and that's coming from a Heavy Metal fan) Moving out / Billy Joel (I did not see)

This could be done years from now, perhaps after they retire or even pass away.
Maybe they would do it in their retirement

Think about it.

BTW Mamma Mia! is now upto $2Billion world wide in gross revenue.  That's right $2Billion from a foundation based on a music group.

Halford is a brialliant marketer.

Thank you for explaining. Guess there is no point making a fuss about nothing. Peace, Painkiller.

As for not going to any of the shows, I don't know if I can take the time to go. And where is the nearest show? (whines)

I admit I can't draw a straight line. Perhaps during an earthquake. But I'd love to see some of the more talented draw or paint something inspired by the album - Hence the "challenge".
And I can picture in my mind the granite Metalgodess talks about. lol.

		Head banger wrote:
		I, like yourself have managed to buy the album, but not find the time to hear it.   what I meant bymy coment was that I didnt see painkiller (damn those dots are annoying) calling people dumb, or saying that he was smarter than others.  he did list a bunch of things that he thought might be qualities that would indicate the listener would not like the disk, but thats it.   how come you wont be going to any of the shows? I do like the cover, but, my artistic skills are miniscule.  I doubt I could do beter than metalicas self titled disk.        Where AmI wrote: Really? Would you be so kind as to elaborate on your reply? I appreciate you asking, btw. I can only vouch for my own opinion, not that of others, respectfully, to all. Many longtime fans of the band think this latest effort to be ...meh.Sucker that I am, despite fearing Years Ago, that the Nostradamus theme would be a hard one to pull off even for Judas Priest - no - Because it is Judas Priest, I once again bought their newest album. When I get to listen to it, I will then give my straightforward opinion without choosing to call anybody dumb in the process. I already made an opinion on the stage set, thank you whoever posted those wonderful picks from the show in Sweden (I think). I highly recommend going to see JP live regardless of their latest album. Once again I won't be going to any of their shows, you can rest easy. From the songs I've heard at the Mtv website, I believe that certain band members could start listening to many of their fans requests to use the keyboards and synth sparingly and so far that is my major issue with the whole thing. Another is the album cover work (that could have had a genuine artist create something that looks less cheap and less obvious). For all the juicy parts I have no opinion as of yet.  How about a challenge? Anybody out there with a talent for drawing/painting that wants to show how they could do a better album cover?    (Quoting Message by Head banger from Wednesday, June 18, 2008 5:56:05 PM)   Head banger wrote:   I dont quite understand where you get that from Painkillers post.  I can understand the thought behind it, it could in some cases be wrong, but so could lots of things.      Where AmI wrote:   Mr/Mrs? Painkiller: Knowing full well in advance that you will not reply to me directly, as is traditional in this website, I will still reply to your post since you think the vast majority of fans of the band don't have a brain to think with, eyes to see with and ears to hear with. I'm not judging the album in this reply. I believe it's you who judge others too harshly and in so doing make yourself and your opinion lose its value. Sometimes, it's best to call a spade a spade and the candid opinion of many, to me, far outweighs the opinion of those like you who blame the listeners and find fault in their judgement.  The rave reviews in the major music newsprint and websites are copied and pasted out of a single e-mail. Those "reviews" are nothing. Worthless. Serve only as ads to sell the album. If you like "Nostradamus", fine. You are the cleverest, the smartest, the smarmiest and the most psychologically superior being here because, out of countless thousands around the world, you - sir/madam - you "get it".  Whatever that may be.     P.A.I.N.K.I.L.L.E.R. wrote:   I couldn't wait until the evening, I had to take the rest of the day off and unleash "Nostradamus" right away...I just finished my first session, so here's what I have in my mind right now... First of all, people who... - have an attitude problem against concept albums and conceptual art works in general... - like to listen only simple, basic, guitars&drums heavy metal... - have problems to concentrate on focused listening or any other activity that demands non-stop attention for a certain prolonged period of time... - tend to listen music only as a background music while they do something else... - don't appreciate classically influenced, flavored and executed music... - don't appreciate orchestrations, classically arranged & anthemic vocal melodies... - don't appreciate music made by using electronic keyboard and guitar synthesizers, electronic piano and B3 Hammond organ... - have lost or never even found their faith in the old school heavy metal of Judas Priest and in general... - keep comparing albums with each other... - keep measuring the worth and status of an individual album by the "standards" set by some previous album(s)... - don't appreciate the limitless possibilities of combining heavy metal with classical music... ...DON'T BOTHER. This album is way too majestic, powerful, multi-dimensional and generally too big for you to even start trying to digest.  I knew beforehand that this new concept would definitely divide people to those who understand, appreciate and enjoy this and to those who more or less loathe this and decry it's worth and excellence. This album is definitely a landmark in the history of Judas Priest and heavy metal - just as I thought it would be. Once again Judas Priest goes far and wide towards new, brave, intriguing and extremely demanding horizons of heavy metal and music in general. I would say that only Judas Priest have the vision, the ability, the strength and balls to make an album of this magnitude. No matter how powerful albums bands usually make, they seem to be just regular heavy metal - excellent and unique as they may be. This is not just old school heavy metal, this is Judas Priest going higher & beyond the boundaries of heavy metal traditions. This time Judas Priest made not just another brilliant heavy metal album in the long line of their discography but a true masterpiece, a work of beautiful, mind-exploding and career-crowning art.  I won't analyze the soundscape of this album too much or try to convince any slammers otherwise, because it's useless. The sounds of all insruments feel perfect, just as they are. The heavy guitar riffs & head-splitting leads, the smashing drums...100 % heavy metal!!! And I would also say that this album shows Rob Halford at his very best, this album demanded his best and he gave it his best. I think Rob Halford is a better overall vocalist than he ever was. Is this the final album of Judas Priest as it has been rumoured? It may well be and I would not be amazed at all. Sad as it may be, I would accept it. The grandness, the power, the multi-dimensionality, the general finality of the concept and the message in the lyrics all suggest that this album could be the ultimate album of Judas Priest, their magnum opus. Time will tell. In short: "Nostradamus" testifies that Judas Priest have always been and will always be the METAL GODS!!! Edited at: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:07:43 PM

I, like yourself have managed to buy the album, but not find the time to hear it.

what I meant bymy coment was that I didnt see painkiller (damn those dots are annoying) calling people dumb, or saying that he was smarter than others.  he did list a bunch of things that he thought might be qualities that would indicate the listener would not like the disk, but thats it.

how come you wont be going to any of the shows?

I do like the cover, but, my artistic skills are miniscule.  I doubt I could do beter than metalicas self titled disk.

		Where AmI wrote:
		Really? Would you be so kind as to elaborate on your reply? I appreciate you asking, btw. I can only vouch for my own opinion, not that of others, respectfully, to all. Many longtime fans of the band think this latest effort to be ...meh.Sucker that I am, despite fearing Years Ago, that the Nostradamus theme would be a hard one to pull off even for Judas Priest - no - Because it is Judas Priest, I once again bought their newest album. When I get to listen to it, I will then give my straightforward opinion without choosing to call anybody dumb in the process. I already made an opinion on the stage set, thank you whoever posted those wonderful picks from the show in Sweden (I think). I highly recommend going to see JP live regardless of their latest album. Once again I won't be going to any of their shows, you can rest easy. From the songs I've heard at the Mtv website, I believe that certain band members could start listening to many of their fans requests to use the keyboards and synth sparingly and so far that is my major issue with the whole thing. Another is the album cover work (that could have had a genuine artist create something that looks less cheap and less obvious). For all the juicy parts I have no opinion as of yet.  How about a challenge? Anybody out there with a talent for drawing/painting that wants to show how they could do a better album cover?    (Quoting Message by Head banger from Wednesday, June 18, 2008 5:56:05 PM)   Head banger wrote:   I dont quite understand where you get that from Painkillers post.  I can understand the thought behind it, it could in some cases be wrong, but so could lots of things.      Where AmI wrote:   Mr/Mrs? Painkiller: Knowing full well in advance that you will not reply to me directly, as is traditional in this website, I will still reply to your post since you think the vast majority of fans of the band don't have a brain to think with, eyes to see with and ears to hear with. I'm not judging the album in this reply. I believe it's you who judge others too harshly and in so doing make yourself and your opinion lose its value. Sometimes, it's best to call a spade a spade and the candid opinion of many, to me, far outweighs the opinion of those like you who blame the listeners and find fault in their judgement.  The rave reviews in the major music newsprint and websites are copied and pasted out of a single e-mail. Those "reviews" are nothing. Worthless. Serve only as ads to sell the album. If you like "Nostradamus", fine. You are the cleverest, the smartest, the smarmiest and the most psychologically superior being here because, out of countless thousands around the world, you - sir/madam - you "get it".  Whatever that may be.     P.A.I.N.K.I.L.L.E.R. wrote:   I couldn't wait until the evening, I had to take the rest of the day off and unleash "Nostradamus" right away...I just finished my first session, so here's what I have in my mind right now... First of all, people who... - have an attitude problem against concept albums and conceptual art works in general... - like to listen only simple, basic, guitars&drums heavy metal... - have problems to concentrate on focused listening or any other activity that demands non-stop attention for a certain prolonged period of time... - tend to listen music only as a background music while they do something else... - don't appreciate classically influenced, flavored and executed music... - don't appreciate orchestrations, classically arranged & anthemic vocal melodies... - don't appreciate music made by using electronic keyboard and guitar synthesizers, electronic piano and B3 Hammond organ... - have lost or never even found their faith in the old school heavy metal of Judas Priest and in general... - keep comparing albums with each other... - keep measuring the worth and status of an individual album by the "standards" set by some previous album(s)... - don't appreciate the limitless possibilities of combining heavy metal with classical music... ...DON'T BOTHER. This album is way too majestic, powerful, multi-dimensional and generally too big for you to even start trying to digest.  I knew beforehand that this new concept would definitely divide people to those who understand, appreciate and enjoy this and to those who more or less loathe this and decry it's worth and excellence. This album is definitely a landmark in the history of Judas Priest and heavy metal - just as I thought it would be. Once again Judas Priest goes far and wide towards new, brave, intriguing and extremely demanding horizons of heavy metal and music in general. I would say that only Judas Priest have the vision, the ability, the strength and balls to make an album of this magnitude. No matter how powerful albums bands usually make, they seem to be just regular heavy metal - excellent and unique as they may be. This is not just old school heavy metal, this is Judas Priest going higher & beyond the boundaries of heavy metal traditions. This time Judas Priest made not just another brilliant heavy metal album in the long line of their discography but a true masterpiece, a work of beautiful, mind-exploding and career-crowning art.  I won't analyze the soundscape of this album too much or try to convince any slammers otherwise, because it's useless. The sounds of all insruments feel perfect, just as they are. The heavy guitar riffs & head-splitting leads, the smashing drums...100 % heavy metal!!! And I would also say that this album shows Rob Halford at his very best, this album demanded his best and he gave it his best. I think Rob Halford is a better overall vocalist than he ever was. Is this the final album of Judas Priest as it has been rumoured? It may well be and I would not be amazed at all. Sad as it may be, I would accept it. The grandness, the power, the multi-dimensionality, the general finality of the concept and the message in the lyrics all suggest that this album could be the ultimate album of Judas Priest, their magnum opus. Time will tell. In short: "Nostradamus" testifies that Judas Priest have always been and will always be the METAL GODS!!! Edited at: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:07:43 PM

Definitely a departure from their previous work in terms of subject and style. I'm still struggling with accepting their extensive use of keyboards in this album but I'm not going to start nitpicking mistakes song by song since this is considered one piece, not several. A good review will follow that won't parrot all the others, be it positive or negative - whether you care to read it or not. 
Now, I'm going to go back and listen to some old style blues. I love the sound of a guitar or two well played with feeling and true to itself.
Even if it's the lute - an instrument contemporary to Nostradamus. Renaissance and all that.

The title song, "Visions", "Dawn Of Creation/Prophecy" and "Death" have been my only acquaintances of the new album thus far (great old school metal songs, out at last!), but next week I'll get my copy of the 2CD Deluxe book edition, only then I will dive deep into the conceptual realm of Judas Priest's "Nostradamus" mega opus. The band themselves have emphasized the conceptual entirety of the album and I strongly believe this album will really come alive to it's full glory and power when listened to from the beginning to the end. Of course one can detach many separate songs and enjoy them, but in my mind the very best way to experience this album is to take it full-on as an entirety. That's the reason I haven't listened to these sample songs too much, I want the whole thing as the band offers & recommends it.

Some people may say that the album "is too long" or "there are too many intros" or "there are too many songs" etc. I say WHERE IS YOUR ABILITY TO FOCUS? Can't you listen a 2 disc album on a one take? Can't you listen 2 other Judas Priest albums in a row? Art is something to really put your mind within, especially a work like this. "Nostradamus" is not your choice for background music and it's not just another album, we're talking about a 2-part conceptual theatre show of heavy metal.

I believe this album will be one of the landmarks of heavy metal.