Judas Priest - Invincible Shield (Deluxe Edition) (2024) CD Rip

With 19 albums and over 50 years as the flagship heavy metal band, Judas Priest returns 6 years after Firepower with Invincible Shield, an extraordinary album. Firepower was a prodigious effort to combine the intensity of 1990's Painkiller with the classic sound of the 70's and the popularity of the 80's, not an easy task that they almost succeeded. Invincible Shield, on the other hand, confirms that they have succeeded. The first three tracks are superb in intensity, easily competing with the best of Painkiller. Panic Attack, with its riff inspired by Rush's Tom Sawyer and the brutal drums of Scott Travis; The Serpent and The King, probably the most intense thing we will hear this year in the heavy metal world; and Invincible Shield, a powerful track that combines the electrifying power of Painkiller with the dark intensity of Stained Class. It is evident that Richie Faulkner, with his own style, manages to conjugate sounds of greats like Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads and even Eddie Van Halen, while Rob Halford, Glen Tipton and Ian Hill remain the solid foundation of this musical machine. Devil In Disguise slows down, allowing you to enjoy the band's work in detail, with raging riffs, Halford at his best and a hard and merciless bass. Gates of Hell brings back the classic sound, now contemporary thanks to Andy Sneap's production. Crown of Horns is a stellar piece destined to become a classic, where every member of the band shines brightly. As God Is My Witness is the most furious piece they have created in years. While Painkiller remains the best album of Judas Priest's modern era, Invincible Shield is the best thing they've done in 30 years. Only a tiny handful of bands could boast of making one of their best albums after a 55 year career.