When: Aug. 17, 2009
Where: Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock, Hollywood
Before 1979, Judas Priest was a good, solid metal band, beginning to get some notice among the wave of such acts coming from Britain.
But when they recorded British Steel, everything changed — for both Judas Priest and the genre of music they played. They both took off like a rocket.
Thirty years later, the band is celebrating by playing the entire album, track-by-track. And while the full tour is thrilling Priest fans throughout the U.S., Monday’s show at Hard Rock Live had an extra touch.
The show was recorded for an upcoming DVD, and thankfully, the crowd was more than up to the challenge of matching the band’s extra energy.
From British Steel’s opening salvo, “Rapid Fire”, the album takes off like a dragster down a quarter-mile track. Many metal fans credit the album with giving the genre a serious jolt, and that jolt was in place at Hard Rock Live.
The crowd was, of course, most into the album’s two best known songs — “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight” — but the band was possibly even more remarkable on songs like “Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise” and the closing “Steeler”, on which guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton traded blistering solos.
Once done with the British Steel tribute, the energy didn’t flag. Instead, it picked up even more when lead singer Rob Halford arrived on stage aboard a chromed-up motorcycle, singing “Freewheel Burning”.
If fans come away with anything from the show, it’ll likely be how incredibly powerful Halford’s voice remains. He’s always been blessed with both a nearly operatic vocal style and a piercing scream no other lead singer can ever hope to match. His mind-blowing wail at the end of the 1976 song “Victim of Changes” may haunt dreams over the next couple of days.
The song that did it for me was grinder. The entire show was very sexy and professional.
I attended the Tampa show this past Sunday, It was my first Priest concert, God willing it will not be my last! The band was freaking unbelievable, all the old tracks and the new one “Prophecy” from the Nostradamus album kicked my ass, I am a huge Iron Maiden fan and as such I have high expectations for concerts, Judas Priest is still worthy of much praise, my vocal cords are still pissed at me for my feeble attempt to keep up with Mr Halford! Priest, Priest, Priest indeed!
Oh, Sam Sam Sam… why did you try to keep up with Rob Halford?! The man has a four-octave range!
This was my first Priest show too, and I’m with you, man. I’m definitely seeing them again.
Saw them for the first time at Germain Arena in Estero FL. Just want to say thanks for an an awesome concert. I apologize for the poor attendance (40-50%) full. No excuse…ok maybe because of the Whitesnake debaccale. I appreciated the kind words of thanks Rob gave us for our support to the band. It is we who thank them for all of their hard work & great music all these years. I hope they come back to our humble ass backwards town. Maybe next time those who didn’t attend will get a clue as to how important the contributions of Judas Priest are to the hard rock / heavy metal world. May you play for many years to come. Thanks again. Forever loyal.
I wish to share a comment to all Priest fans. I saw them at the St Augustine Amphiteater. My 4th time seeing the Priest, and I just want to say they still have it. For 60 year old guys playing metal, they still kick ass, Rapid Fire, Metal Gods, and Steeler was very intense for me as was Freewheel Burning, and of course the song of the night was Victim of Changes. Rob and the boys still have it. I hope they come back for another round of ass kicking metal. Priest Rules!!!!!
I just had to comment on how Judas Priest is THE Heavy Metal band of all time. Being a fan since my first album British Steel, the band has not missed a beat after all of these years. I saw them for the first time in Nashville, TN and the show was simply amazing. The show had the crowd HOT ROCKIN from RAPID FIRE through YOU GOT ANOTHER THING COMIN. Every song sounded just as good live as it does on the albums. Rob Halford is the true voice of Judas Priest and he sounded better than ever. K.K., Glenn, Ian, and Scott also continue to RAM IT DOWN with their relentless passion for Heavy Metal. I really enjoyed the show in Nashville, and when I read that the show in Hollywood, FL was being taped for a live DVD, I thought of it as a once in a lifetime opportiunity to be a part of Judas Priest history. I flew down and caught the show at the Hard Rock Hotel and was not disappointed. That show was also amazing and I will always remember how the band responded to the enthusiastic crowd and how much they enjoy what they are doing. This show is absolutely a must see and you will forever remember THE HOME OF BRITISH STEEL. LONG LIVE JUDAS PRIEST!
I was at the Hard Rock in Hollywood,Fla. and it was amazing these guys remain the Masters of their Craft and will never have that taken away.I remember seeing them in 1980 and they are still the most intense band I have ever seen. I met a father and son there and to see the interaction and enthusiasm and respect for this band from a 10 year old was impressive!!!it shows how these guys can deliver a Heartpounding ride through the greatest years of Heavy Metal ever to any and all ages!!!!!!!
Me and my best friend Brandon went to see them 3 nites in a row. St.Augustine, St. Pete and then in Hollywood Fl. He came from Pensacola and I from VA Beach. There was no way we were missing this. Between drinks at British Bars in St. Augustine and bums dancing for money in Miami we had such a great time. The best part is that each show was freaking awesome. Halford is the master of his game. Somewone wrote he sings like he hates his throat. haha If you have never been to a Priest concert then you have really missed out. The first nite we were all the way up front right in front of KK and the last nite we were all the way in the back. The perspective difference was amazing. Yes you are not so close to the band but you see so much more of the show. Truley amazing as usual and it’s easy to see why they are still around. I imagine we will be seeing them around for a few more years. Thanks Priest for the memories.