So finally here it is. An album most fans thought would never arrive or for others it couldn't arrive quick enough after the poorly received Nostradamus. Expectations were high on this because the fans wanted a belter of an album with a back to basics approach. More six string then orchestral. So does it deliver? Well yes and no.
The songs for the most part are fine and it is a heavy metal album with all the stereotypes. The title track chugs along and is great, opener Dragonaught will probably open the new live show and Beginning Of The End shows the softer side of the band to great effect. It suffers from too many tracks and Down In Flames is average at best. Metalizer is metal by numbers with dumb lyrics. The five bonus tracks are ok too.
So here's my problem, the thing SOUNDS terrible. To my ears the production and mix are horrible. The whole thing sounds really dry and there's no pop to the stuff at all. I feel really sorry for Scott Travis because you have an incredible drummer who sounds like he is beating on wooden blocks and tin cans. Want proof then put on the introduction to Sword Of Damocles and then put on Painkiller and that was recorded over 20 years ago. Ian Hill's bass is in and out and Rob's vocals for the most part are in his lower register save for Halls Of Valhalla.
To put out an album with these production values in the modern age baffles me. Say what you want about Priest's peers Maiden and Sabbath at least they had the foresight to hire the top guys Kevin Shirley and Rick Rubin respectively. I'm sure Mike Exeter is a capable studio hand and a nice guy but can you name another album he has had a hand in. Someone like Roy Z who has worked with the band in the past would have made this sound much better. I would love to hear a remixed version of this because then we would be talking. I knew Priest would have to come up with something special to top Primal Fear's Delivering The Black. They couldn't do it.
Richie.
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