| [P.A.I.N.K.I.L.L.E.R.] Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:04:41 AM | |
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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!!! |
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| [P.A.I.N.K.I.L.L.E.R.] Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:27:36 AM | |
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Oh my God...few minutes ago the Deluxe 2CD edition came through my mail slot...
The package itself is like a bible of metal: a DVD package-sized, matte-surfaced hard-bound book, shining raised-relief band and album titles, CDs in cardboard sleeves, awesome painting-like pages with calligraphic text...absolutely fantastic!
The mere package demands complete focus and listening in a one sitting...
...and, with a sudden bang, I start to wonder that maybe this is not only, in a sense, the ultimate Judas Priest album but maybe this is also the last Judas Priest album. Who knows? Right now the magnitude of the album feels so overwhelming and final...
Tonight I will journey through time with Judas Priest the Metal Gods!!!
Edited at: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:29:36 AM |
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| [Yair Levy] Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:22:37 PM | |
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The Priest has ritualed a monumental fresque to the prophet Nostradamus
Indeed, one could speak of destiny in the making as no one seems better heir to dedicate the cult epic...
Never have I seen as many contrasts and colours marry in such a pristine lyric blossom
Nostredame is avenged and will truly live forever |
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| [.] Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:10:25 PM | |
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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. |
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| [(V)etal Rob] Tuesday, June 17, 2008 11:41:39 AM | |
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This Album is a Masterpiece!! some many good songs on it. This is the album I've been waiting for! |
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| [P.A.I.N.K.I.L.L.E.R.] Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:41:15 AM | |
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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.
Edited at: Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:49:05 AM |
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