A Tale of Two Albums

It was the the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness... HA!!!!!!!  And so begins my thoughts on the place wherein we now find ourselves, almost three years and almost two albums later.  Such remarkable, unforgettable times. Such moments men dare not actually believe they could live! The epoch of belief I believe Dickens said. In any event, memories that will last a lifetime and all courtesy of a group of men that, sometime in the late 60's or ealry 70's decided to create a band called Judas Priest. My life certainly changed as a result, how about yours?

When MM and I decided to actually do Raw Steel, we found ourselves long on ideas but short on reality. I mean, there we were, ready and willing to do the deed but, could we? Was there really a chance that the stars would align and the fates allow? Could two people, at opposite ends of the United States, really pull this off?? Well, not alone we sure couldn't! It was all about YOU guys. The support. The encouragement. The suggestions. The reminders that this was bigger than just us. Then came Eric (maiden/priest) and Mick and Thumper (Jim) and, in what seemed like a brief blink of an eye, we had a real, live band!

I will never forget the day I met Phil ( Metal Meltdown.) I am sure there are many here that can relate to what I felt. A kinship. A brotherhood. We both knew that we weregoing to be friends. We just knew it. But there is so much more. There is a bond, forged in music, that we share. Something that NOT everyone experiences. And, three years later, the bond grows stronger.

When Raw Steel was released, the response here was overwhelming. I have never been a "rockstar". I have played live in front of crowds. I have known the joy of performing on stage and all the "perks" that one might expect from that, but I was never a real star. For a brief time back in 2006, I felt like a star. YOU made that happen for me. Your words of kindness. Your support and exuberance. For a short while, I was Rob. I was Glenn. I was a real rockstar. I know Phil felt it, too.

When Forged Steel makes it debut, we may not have the same response but, I do not expect it. this is not a novelty any longer. This is real. At last, we have something more than just some guys that get together and play. We have a bond. And....We have YOU. this album has happened because of you and your love for Judas Priest. And through that love, we have created once again. We have taken the clay of passion and we have sculpted a new and wonderful treasure that all of us can take pride in and share.  Thank you all for being here and being so caring. Our gift to you is the music. It is our way of paying tribute to the Band that made all of what we live daily possible. Each and every friendship on this site is possible because of Judas Priest and so, we thank them as well. The gift of music is a timeless and ever-giving moment of life. It rewards with no need to say "thank you" because we all are friends.