I think it's fair to say Priest may have 'dabbled' in the commercial 'pool,' in the name of keeping their name relevant....as KK himself put it (regarding the radical direction of "Turbo"), "...we figure, if Dokken and Twisted Sister could do it, why not Priest?" And while "Turbo" DID in fact open the doors to many who might not have otherwise given Priest half a chance, it also served to (somewhat) alienate those fans who were expecting the more straight-forward, heavy-hitting style Priest evidenced by "Defenders...." But I think some of these 'yo-yo'-esque dabbles were done without much compromise....Priest never gave off the idea that anyone in their record company ever sat them down and pushed the idea of putting forth a more "radio-friendly" album....the only time Columbia "..got on them" was when they snubbed the idea of using Roger Glover to produce "Sin After Sin." Once they realized they'd get more done with him than without him (at the company's urging)...they back-pedaled on their decision and squired him to man the board after all. Beyond that, Priest (I think) have been largely left to their own devices...creatively speaking. They could've easily made more commercial sounding albums after "Turbo..." but they are, at their core...a HEAVY METAL band...which is why "Ram It Down" sounded heavier than "Turbo," and why "Painkiller" sounded heavier than the previous 2 efforts combined.
They could've also easily told Curbishley to go shit in a hat for suggesting a concept album about Nostradamus. But all it WAS...was an idea.....once it swam in their minds for a spell, they realized there was a lotta potential to take that idea, bring it to life, and make something great come of it....and that they did...I don't care who says what about it. After all....I didn't rightly expect EVERY Priest fan in existence to love this one....let's face it....historically, fans have always had varying opinions from one Priest release to the next....the fact they explore so many possible territories musically and keep it within the metal 'realm' is probably what drives some Priest fans outta their ever-lovin' minds. And maybe...JUST maybe...the industry itself doesn't quite know what to think/make of Judas Priest for the same reasons....wanna know what else?? I don't CARE what the industry thinks....and neither do Priest....they make music for THEMSELVES first....it's gotta please THEM first...and if they were AT ALL displeased or ill at odds about "Nostradamus" upon its completion or at any time during the creative process...it'd have never seen the light of day.
For that matter...the same could be said for everything else they released...it's all about progression....it's all about what THEY feel magnifies their best achievements effort for effort. I, for one...couldn't be any more proud to be a fan of this band!!!
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Head banger from Monday, February 09, 2009 1:31:01 PM)| |  | Head banger wrote: | | but, how do we know they are doing what they want? Turbo, was that a sell out? lots say so, I like it, but who am I. AOR was awesome, yet sold squat. is nost a gimick to sell more?
do they want to sell more? are they doing what they want, or what the industry wants? is selling out what they want? could they do some comercial crap? probably, but no one would buy it. they are known for doing what they do, not for "popular (read music lots of people like) music"
| | | paorcamp wrote: | | I see your point...I got it...but priest(after rob's return) kept doing whatever they wanted...you can see it with the last two albums....of course a band needs to sell their products...otherwise they would be unknown...and we fans would be disapointed and furious if we couldn't get their music....guitars and other stuff are not for free and they also need to eat...but metallica changed to a comercial band,they lost their identity...they lost that thing that made us like their music...and of course they turned their back to their real fans...on the other hand priest keeps trying new things, and nostradamus is a piece of evidence...for those who like it(i like it) and for those who don't
| | | Deep Freeze wrote: | | I see. Well pao, win or lose, like or dislike, it is still about selling and making money. I admire your allegiance to Metal. I really do. Unfortunately, marketing and sales is what this whole show was about. Now then, on to your other post;
It is interesting that you would put it this way. ....I refuse to give credit to a band which turned its back to heavy metal to become a heavy comercial band.... As much as our dear friend Mr. Uno may take exception to what I am going to say, isn't that what Priest did with Ripper? They wanted to stay commercially viable and turned from what made them who they are/were. Jugulator is a great example. Not "Priest" sounding at all, as far as I am concerned. Very much like the grinding, crunchy "Nu-Metal" sound that is more commercial and sells more. They were trying to keep the cash coming in. Trying to remain relevant in the face of a HUGE change.
Of course, there are some that may point to Rob's return as a commercial gimmick. I can accept that. Say what you will but Priest, as with any other act, want to sell their records. That is what they do. It is how they make a living. For me, and most fans of the Band, Rob is what makes Priest. He is THE voice so I do not view his return as previously mentioned but I can see where some might make that connection. Anyway, it all comes down to selling the product. I don't think that Judas Priest are in a position at this stage of their career where they really need money..I mean gazillions. They certainly enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, I'm sure. I think Nostradamus is a good example of that. They did something they wanted to do, whether or not it is a commercial success. And I do not mean to insinuate that I do not like the album, because I do like it. I just believe that the Band has gone beyond the need for commercialism and so things like the Grammy award are nice but they won't really affect the Band's future.
| | | paorcamp wrote: | | NOOOO....I refuse to give credit to a band which turned its back to heavy metal to become a heavy comercial band....I won't give credit to a group who prefered fame and fortune over the real escence of music...sorry...but I can't...that's not selling more cd's by hardworking...that's selling more cd's because they left their roots and their true personality to do what the industry wants them to do...and that's something a real band would never do!!...that's not what made metallica famous...now they became shitallica...Who's the master of puppets now???huh???not you metallica...that's for sure!!! (Quoting Message by Numero Uno from Monday, February 09, 2009 11:40:39 AM)
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Numero Uno wrote: |
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GIve Tallica credit, they won the award. They sell more cd's anyway.
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paorcamp wrote: |
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eh...what kind of priest fan could ever say something like that!!!??
are you ok???If priest didn't deserve it...why would metallica do!!??
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Numero Uno wrote: |
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| Lots of sour grapes in here. Maybe Priest didn't win because they just didn't deserve to. |
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Edited at: Monday, February 09, 2009 12:52:51 PM |
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