| [\m/ Metal Maniac \m/] Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:08:29 AM | |
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From www.Blabbermouth.net:
JUDAS PRIEST's new double-disc concept album, "Nostradamus", has sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marks the band's highest-ever chart position in the U.S. In Canada, the CD opened at position No. 9 after shifting close to 4,000 units.
JUDAS PRIEST's last CD, "Angel of Retribution", opened with 58,000 copies back in March 2005 to debut at No. 13.
The following are the peak U.S. chart positions for the PRIEST catalog:
#11 - "Nostradamus" (2008)
#13 - "Angel of Retribution" (2005)
#165 - "Demolition" (2001)
#82 - "Jugulator" (1997)
#155 - "Metalworks" (1993)
#26 - "Painkiller" (1990)
#31 - "Ram It Down" (1988)
#38 - "Priest Live" (1987)
#17 - "Turbo" (1986)
#18 - "Defenders of the Faith" (1984)
#17 - "Screaming for Vengeance" (1982)
#39 - "Point of Entry" (1981)
#34 - "British Steel" (1980)
#70 - "Unleashed in the East" (1979)
#128 - "Hell Bent for Leather" (1978)
#178 - "Stained Class" (1978) |
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| [Thefaithlesspriest] Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:05:13 AM | |
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"Nostradamus" is even better than I hoped for. No weak songs, fantastic variety, one of Halfords best vokal performances ever..."Defenders of the Faith" has always been my favourite album, but "Nostradamus" has potential to be my new favourite. How on earth can a band achieve such a monster 34 years after their first album?  |
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| [kmac] Wednesday, June 25, 2008 8:40:52 AM | |
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Well. Finally got the new album a couple of days ago. At first i was pretty pissed off and felt there was way to much sweep picking however i decided that was pretty insignificant lol . Anyway after about 10 listens i can safely say Priest have shown they can pull off any musical challenge with ease , totally awesome CD with some really cool songs. Only song I hated was that bloody song death , dunno why though maybe it will grow on me . Love the guitar ,Robs singing is still awesome. Scotts drums are really cool however i had great difficuty hearing good ol' Iain on the bass ......dunno maybe others feel this way or maybe am just stupid hehe
anyway 10/10 for Nostradamus (except for that one song ) as it was totally epic and really emotional.
Edited at: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 8:48:21 AM |
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| [Allanizer] Wednesday, June 25, 2008 6:51:51 AM | |
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Hi everyone!
I'm pleased to say that the new conceptual album is a MasterWork. Only (personal) failure were expectations that conceptual album will be built with myriads of interesting guitar riffs like ones in Stained Class album f.ex. Melodies and Rhytms and Atmosphere are formed differently. It took a little time and confusion when heard. After few rounds of listen songs are taking shape in mind. They are not pop-songs nor conservative metal songs either. Many of them resemble very old memories of JP music. There is somewhere solo reminds one in Tyrant. And yes, there is less share of time for guitars but still many good solos and melodies. Because album has really lot of stuff and parts. One part is that reoccurring simple melody theme in various forms that reminds music-box-melody throughout a movie "Per qualche dollaro in pi�". Not only thing this album screams to be visualized in some way. Movie or designed "opera" concert. Storyline is that good and well organized. Finally, "Nostradamus" is state-of-art metal music that does not so much make me to stick up guitar than to solely enjoy and listen eyes wide shut. Do not dare to listen "The Four Horsemen" just before nightsleep. "Enter Sandman" was re-classified as a new lullaby standard :)
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| [Jeanine] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:16:51 PM | |
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I completely agree with you. At first I was a little surprised listening to the new album. Not typical Priest metal. But I was pleasantly surprised. This album just shows how talented these men are. You may agree with me or not but I love hearing the slower music of Priest, I find it quite beautiful and thoughtful. I felt right away that the music itself was outstanding (yes lack of guitar solo's but KK and Glenn are playing synthesized guitars so we are just hearing them differently). I feel Rob uses his voice wonderfully on this album - not overextending himself. I am very proud of the guys. Not typical so of course there is going to be critics but then again maybe new fans?
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Healer from Monday, June 23, 2008 7:18:26 PM)| |  | Healer wrote: | | | Well, considering Glenn and KK produced the album it is somewhat surprising the guitars are toned down. I think they were going more for mood and trying to tell a story. I think they concentrated more on Rob's voice, tone and the drums (which I have to say Scott outdid himself on this one). I think if they highlighted themselves everyone would have called them selfish and still dished them and called it just another Priest album, nothing new, heard it before etc. etc. etc..... It's a catch 22. Damn if the do, damn if they don't. I think the guitars sound fine and love all the changes and sounds they've produced within a lot of the songs. They produced this with the intend of doing an orchestrated show and when they do I think it will be awesome and people will completely understand what they were going for. I guess I'm just being defensive because I absolutely love this Album and just don't understand why people don't see and hear what I see and hear. |
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| [Healer] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:57:27 PM | |
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I have seen other bands use "local" orchestra's like Scorpions in Berlin and Styx with the Youth orchestra. I definitely believe it will only be in very selective cities and areas so if I were people I'd start saving for travel plans. They mentioned Royal Albert Hall. I went to see them there in 2006 and it's an incredible place. I would love to travel to London again. I'm also thinking maybe NY City for at least one of the US dates. I can't wait, I think whatever they do it will be amazing.
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Eternal Betrayer from Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:49:04 AM)| | | Eternal Betrayer wrote: | | I'm sure most of Nostradamus will benefit from a live situation too, as I feel many parts will come across much heavier than they have on record. Not too sure how they will do this all live though - with the best will in the world, using a full orchestra is a tall order (that's an awful lot of people to take on tour with you) & I'm guessing far too expensive. If they do decide to go down this road, then I would presume that only selective dates would be used (ie; one or two major cities in each country - Kiss only did their Symphony project in Melbourne). Much more realistic is the normal solution of backing tracks, guitar synths & a keyboard player which can travel to all and sundry.
Edited at: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:49:57 AM |
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| [\m/ Metal Maniac \m/] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:31:55 PM | |
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I'm beginning to agree with you my friend!
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by blackjack from Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:47:38 PM)| | | blackjack wrote: | | I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that if I were to pick Priests best albums this would be one of them.
Musically these guys are great and I like seeing them going in new directions.
ROCK ON PRIEST! I'l be seeing you in Vancouver in July!
Take Care
Craig |
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| [blackjack] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:47:38 PM | |
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I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that if I were to pick Priests best albums this would be one of them.
Musically these guys are great and I like seeing them going in new directions.
ROCK ON PRIEST! I'l be seeing you in Vancouver in July!
Take Care
Craig |
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| [Deep Freeze] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:58:58 AM | |
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Good point, EB. Not to mention that it is incredibly difficult to do orchestral music when you are not accomplished in that field. Let's face it, Priest are a Metal band. Talented, of course. Above most, surely. But orchestra and opera are very specialized. Just because Rob went into the studio and did a few bits does not make him an opera singer. To the contrary, I love Rob's voice but I do not like his opera. My opinion, of course.
Most musicians, and especially vocalists, like to believe that they are versatile. Vocalists tend to think they are capable of any genre. Rob, for all his talent and ability, is really not a true opera singer. He has many of the special qualities that make an opera singer, but not all of them. Moreover, he has spent thirty plus years doing Metal. That is what he does best.
I think the new album is great. How they will pull it off onstage remains to be seen. Perhaps they will rely heavily on taped music? I cannot say. There are a couple songs that clearly lend themselves to a Priest show with little difficulty and only minor changes. I am sure the guys will find a way to make it a great show. |
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| [Eternal Betrayer] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:49:04 AM | |
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I'm sure most of Nostradamus will benefit from a live situation too, as I feel many parts will come across much heavier than they have on record. Not too sure how they will do this all live though - with the best will in the world, using a full orchestra is a tall order (that's an awful lot of people to take on tour with you) & I'm guessing far too expensive. If they do decide to go down this road, then I would presume that only selective dates would be used (ie; one or two major cities in each country - Kiss only did their Symphony project in Melbourne). Much more realistic is the normal solution of backing tracks, guitar synths & a keyboard player which can travel to all and sundry.
Edited at: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:49:57 AM |
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| [codynstuff] Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:48:44 AM | |
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| [Healer] Monday, June 23, 2008 7:18:26 PM | |
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| Well, considering Glenn and KK produced the album it is somewhat surprising the guitars are toned down. I think they were going more for mood and trying to tell a story. I think they concentrated more on Rob's voice, tone and the drums (which I have to say Scott outdid himself on this one). I think if they highlighted themselves everyone would have called them selfish and still dished them and called it just another Priest album, nothing new, heard it before etc. etc. etc..... It's a catch 22. Damn if the do, damn if they don't. I think the guitars sound fine and love all the changes and sounds they've produced within a lot of the songs. They produced this with the intend of doing an orchestrated show and when they do I think it will be awesome and people will completely understand what they were going for. I guess I'm just being defensive because I absolutely love this Album and just don't understand why people don't see and hear what I see and hear. |
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| [Return_of_Darth_Painkiller_0870] Monday, June 23, 2008 1:00:49 PM | |
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Well put, Betrayer...and I agree with you to an extent. There are spots where I would like to hear more guitar than orchestra, but still...everything fits very nicely. My understanding is they are going to be playing Prophecy and Death on the current tour. As for certain songs kind of sounding like Iron Maiden in some places, no offense meant, but ummm...who cares? Maiden are the masters of such epics (see Aces High, Flight Of Icarus, and Paschendale for a mere smidgen of their abilities there), but I think it's more of Rob and the guys knowing how stuff fits a song - which is a lot more than you and I know.
Keep on rockin!
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Eternal Betrayer from Monday, June 23, 2008 12:01:18 PM)| | | Eternal Betrayer wrote: | | I think my main problem with this album is the guitars (or rather lack of them - rhythm guitars, certainly). There are a lot of catchy hooks, and memorable choruses etc, but when it comes to some of the guitar work, it appears to be so far down in the mix & in some places so washed over by the keyboards (or guitar synths) that the word "tame" or "lame" spring to mind.
This is a Judas Priest album after all, and one would expect rather more than the occasional, and in places, almost apologetic, toned down riffing. The rhythm guitar is the main weapon of attack for any self-respecting heavy metal band, and also gives many a song a true set of balls. Without it "vicious" can easily become "vacuous" or turn "titantic" into "timid".
Before I'm scorned as just another "in your face, all the time merchant", I would just like to add that two of my very favourite Priest tracks are "Run Of The Mill" & "Dreamer Deceiver" which have more than their fair share of light & shade - something I very much appreciate in a song, or two - not a whole album though!
Nostradamus is a good album, an excellent soundtrack score album even, I'm just not so sure how great a Judas Priest album it is (Conquest, Pestilance & Plague, plus Future Of Mankind even sound like Iron Maiden in places), but I shall keep listening to it, and will go & see them on tour in the UK (in 2009, hopefully - saw them at Download 2008, and they were brilliant!), and if they want to do the whole album live - fine, I'll be there!
All hail the mighty Priest, and keep the faith. |
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| [Eternal Betrayer] Monday, June 23, 2008 12:01:18 PM | |
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I think my main problem with this album is the guitars (or rather lack of them - rhythm guitars, certainly). There are a lot of catchy hooks, and memorable choruses etc, but when it comes to some of the guitar work, it appears to be so far down in the mix & in some places so washed over by the keyboards (or guitar synths) that the word "tame" or "lame" spring to mind.
This is a Judas Priest album after all, and one would expect rather more than the occasional, and in places, almost apologetic, toned down riffing. The rhythm guitar is the main weapon of attack for any self-respecting heavy metal band, and also gives many a song a true set of balls. Without it "vicious" can easily become "vacuous" or turn "titantic" into "timid".
Before I'm scorned as just another "in your face, all the time merchant", I would just like to add that two of my very favourite Priest tracks are "Run Of The Mill" & "Dreamer Deceiver" which have more than their fair share of light & shade - something I very much appreciate in a song, or two - not a whole album though!
Nostradamus is a good album, an excellent soundtrack score album even, I'm just not so sure how great a Judas Priest album it is (Conquest, Pestilance & Plague, plus Future Of Mankind even sound like Iron Maiden in places), but I shall keep listening to it, and will go & see them on tour in the UK (in 2009, hopefully - saw them at Download 2008, and they were brilliant!), and if they want to do the whole album live - fine, I'll be there!
All hail the mighty Priest, and keep the faith. |
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| [Brent 27744] Monday, June 23, 2008 11:43:24 AM | |
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Metal Jesus: You said the the only complaint that people can come up with is that it's too slow. I disagree (but I see where you're coming from). I think Nostradamus is a very good album, but not great. I actually like the mid-tempo. The keyboards and orchestrations give it a great feel and I like Halford's more restrained, soulful voice. The lyrics are great sometimes and only ok at other times. But--as much as it pains me to say--I'm not being hooked with the guitar harmonies and solos. I've listened to the album many, many times, but only a few songs hit me right from the start and only a few more have grown on me.
I still applaud the band for trying something different...I think they were moderately successful in doing so. Some goods, some bads. I would put this album in the middle of the pack with the other Priest albums. I still support them 100%. I'm seeing them in concert later this summer for, I think, the 5th time. I hope they come out with at least one more album. |
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| [Return_of_Darth_Painkiller_0870] Monday, June 23, 2008 4:46:48 AM | |
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I respectfully need to disagree with you, dream...The Elder wasn't that well written (A Dark Light and I stand out as being sub-standard tunes to me). Also, no one wanted to hear Kiss do a concept album, especially since it came on the heels of Unmasked. That was foolish to say the least. Kiss would've been much better served following Ace's idea of making a strong rock album, and then maybe they could've done the concept album thing afterwards.
As for Nostradamus, I think it more than holds it's own against several Priest albums and even then, it shouldn't have too b/c it's nothing like any of them. I'm not a musician in any sense but I found plenty of great songs that whet my metal appettite and let the band take me on a musical journey through the life and times of Nostradamus (no, drugs were not involved ummkay?).
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by dream theater from Sunday, June 22, 2008 6:49:20 PM)| | | dream theater wrote: | | I have been a musician ( guitarist ) for almost 30 years,and Glenn& K.K. are some of my favorite players.I just think it could have been better.I wasn't excepting Painkiller 2,there are just no meaty hooks or melodies that makes you want to listen over & over again.It's great to be differnt thats fine,but it just does'nt stand up.Again just my opinion.Look at what happened to Kiss with Music from the Elder
| | | Healer wrote: | | Well, I can definitely appreciate that people have different oppinions and might not like the new album but I just don't get how anyone can say there is no power behind the songs or that they just "trudge" along. I guess people reviewing just aren't musicians or something. Musicly I think this is their best production ever! I find the more Ilisten to it, which is a lot, I hear more and I get blown away all over again at the brilliance of these guys. Unfortunately I think a lot of these people won't give it more then a couple of listens which is a real shame. These guys are the Metal Gods! |
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| [dream theater] Sunday, June 22, 2008 6:49:20 PM | |
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I have been a musician ( guitarist ) for almost 30 years,and Glenn& K.K. are some of my favorite players.I just think it could have been better.I wasn't excepting Painkiller 2,there are just no meaty hooks or melodies that makes you want to listen over & over again.It's great to be differnt thats fine,but it just does'nt stand up.Again just my opinion.Look at what happened to Kiss with Music from the Elder
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Healer from Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:03:15 PM)| | | Healer wrote: | | Well, I can definitely appreciate that people have different oppinions and might not like the new album but I just don't get how anyone can say there is no power behind the songs or that they just "trudge" along. I guess people reviewing just aren't musicians or something. Musicly I think this is their best production ever! I find the more Ilisten to it, which is a lot, I hear more and I get blown away all over again at the brilliance of these guys. Unfortunately I think a lot of these people won't give it more then a couple of listens which is a real shame. These guys are the Metal Gods! |
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| [spapad] Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:49:37 PM | |
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Jesus, its the want it all now folks who don't like this record. As a member of the band called it people who want it all in your face all the time songs like songs to break glass to only. Of course I am paraphrasing because I want to be fair to the band member.
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Metal Jesus from Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:41:57 PM)| | | Metal Jesus wrote: | | This is the only complaint that people can come up with:
It's too Slow.
That is complete bullshit, these people were expecting "Nostradamus: Featuring Painkiller". That's the stupidest mistake anyone could ever make. If you actually listen to the bands catelogie, I'm gonna say over HALF of it is slower mellow tunes believe it or not. So it's extremely hypocritcal to say this is too slow when that much of there previous work is slow too. It's ridiculous.
You ALL knew this was not going to be a fast Cd, you ALL knew it was going to be totally different from anything else, but your still shocked to find out that it's totally different from anything else. Take it for what it is and stop comparing it to Painkiller. Just enjoy the music, listen to it! Don't sit there thinking "...... this is slow.... I wanna listen to Painkiller!". That's stupid. Amazing album, but this is not that.
Just take the album for what it is, and stop comparing it to other songs. THAT is why some people hate it. They just want Excited, Freehwheel Burning and Painkiller again. |
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| [Bazookajoe_666] Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:41:57 PM | |
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This is the only complaint that people can come up with:
It's too Slow.
That is complete bullshit, these people were expecting "Nostradamus: Featuring Painkiller". That's the stupidest mistake anyone could ever make. If you actually listen to the bands catelogie, I'm gonna say over HALF of it is slower mellow tunes believe it or not. So it's extremely hypocritcal to say this is too slow when that much of there previous work is slow too. It's ridiculous.
You ALL knew this was not going to be a fast Cd, you ALL knew it was going to be totally different from anything else, but your still shocked to find out that it's totally different from anything else. Take it for what it is and stop comparing it to Painkiller. Just enjoy the music, listen to it! Don't sit there thinking "...... this is slow.... I wanna listen to Painkiller!". That's stupid. Amazing album, but this is not that.
Just take the album for what it is, and stop comparing it to other songs. THAT is why some people hate it. They just want Excited, Freehwheel Burning and Painkiller again. |
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| [hellrider 31038] Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:39:11 PM | |
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| i think there are some great tracks on the album (total rush of power)nostradamus, persecution,death is cool to and a few more exspecially from the first disk,visions is a good rocker to.the album is growing on me.but some of the songs in my opinion are waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to soft and slow.halfords vocals are great on the album and there are some killer solos also. |
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