Invincible Shield (Amazon Exclusive)

2018’s Firepower was proof to the world that there was still plenty of gas in the tank for this veteran heavy metal outfit. Six years later – a pandemic and a lifetime later – Judas Priest returns with more outrageously glorious power metal bliss! While this current line-up of the band has been around since 2014’s Redeemer of Souls – an album which was a hint of the resurrection of the Painkiller era sound – Firepower surprised with its aggression, speed and metal precision. Fast forward 6 years and the collective of Halford, Tipton, Faulkner, Hill and Travis remain vital … and very metal!Invincible Shield draws upon the strengths of the Priest legacy yet doesn’t strive to hard to reinvent or re-image the band’s signature sound. Consequently, that may be a fair criticism here, that JP have crafted an album which differs little on the creative side from its predecessor. But at this point in their career who hardly cares. As a fan, there is just a ton of heavy metal/power metal glory here to revel in for the next 5 years. There is something to be said for working out a formula for fun, passion and power.Add to this that there exist precious few currently active artists capable of matching the same level of vocal power/clarity combined with surgical guitar shred balanced with captivating rhythmic hooks. Andy Sneap has given the band an incredible sound here and Tom Allom makes a cameo effort with his contributions on the massive final two tracks “Sons of Thunder” and “Giants in the Sky.” Primo!The opening track “Panic Attack” is a bit surprising in that there is an almost prog/power feel to the track, but don’t expect the instrumental wizardry Dream Theater showcased on their song of the same name. Tempting to let “panic” set in – that the band has somehow morphed into another entity – but the next 3 songs feature absolutely killer power metal energy and crunch leaving no doubt that Priest are true to form. “Gates of H###” anchor this opening salvo with the perfect balance of power and melodic anthemic accessibility.The slightly balladic – and cleverly adorned – “Crown of Horns” will likely garner much speculation about the future of Judas Priest. Halford is transparent in his admission of the cost and pain of a lifetime of sustaining the dream to not only craft metal excellence but also maintain the high standard despite the decades of changes in the music industry pressed upon this steel. Beautiful.While this is a near flawless consistent recording, the highlight tracks are “Gates of H###” “Crown of Horns,” the incredibly powerful and melodic “Sons of Thunder” and the closing “Giants in the Sky” which is an epitaph to those (presumably in the metal scene) who have passed on. However, one fair criticism might be that the diversity which has been characteristic of this band for decades is lacking here. If you don’t the unidirectional power metal onslaught of Painkiller this one may be a bit of a disappointment. However, I would argue that while not quite as diverse as Firepower, this album is more dynamic than Painkiller.Judas Priest remain vital with the songs they have delivered on Invincible Shield and this aptly titled album will be hard to top this year for fans of the power/heavy metal brand of metal. I am both thankful and amazed that artists this deep into their career can find both the energy and creativity to craft a collection of songs so reflective of the best qualities of the past 40 years of heavy metal. Sublime!

Glad to see JP can still crank out an album this good, even with all the new members over these several years. I like it better than the last two for sure.

Good

This band never ceases to amaze me!This album is great! It’s hard and Rob Halford’s voice is still spot on!!I like every track on this disc.The band has been around for over 50 years! And they still Rock! 🤘I keep this disc in my truck on continuous play.

Music worth 5 stars. One missing for Amazon version.Music is great! Priest has always been my fav. I worried it might suck but was happy when it didn't.The Target exclusive version is cooler than the Amazon version- it's a little hardcover book with a cd inside. And 3 bonus tracks this Amazon version does not have.Amazon version annoyed me because I could not get the little booklet out without ripping the cardboard case. So what good is alternate artwork on a ripped case?

You can tell they took their time with this one. Very high quality playing and strong vocal performace throughout. Also it might just be the best sound quality I have ever heard from any of my many cds.

Great album by an awesome band.

Excelente articulo.

⅔ of this album is great. The other ⅓ is good. Quick delivery was delivered about a day sooner than they said it would arrive

Judas Priest siempre será una banda que habrá que mencionar si de iconos del metal se quiere hablar.Este último disco es un verdadero mazo, poder, velocidad y elegancia compositiva en cada track.Hace más de medio siglo de su formación y parece que aún pueden hacer cosas geniales, ojalá su mejor trabajo esté por llegar, pero diablos, la gran mayoría de sus discos son grandiosos!Larga vida al Sacerdote!!

Danke!!!.

Can you believe its been 50 years since Rocka Rolla!? The mighty Judas Priest have certainly covered some ground and broke new ground musically in that time. Having been integral to the creation of the universal Heavy Metal genre, they have tried many variations and have always pushed boundaries but always stayed true to their 'Metal' vision. Even on a short list of their best classics, which metal band out there wouldn't have been proud to have just one of these in their discography? Stained Class, British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, Painkiller, and recently, Firepower!? How the hell do you top that? Well I think Priest might just have done it. Invincible Shield manages to consolidate everything that is best about JP over their entire existence, and I don't say that lightly. The intro builds to an incredible metal riff (with a slight pause and nod to Turbo) before smashing your face in! And it doesn't let up. The title track is a great example of that consolidation where there are echoes, musically, lyrically, emotionally of Priests past recordings most notably from Stained Class, Killing Machine, Defenders and Painkiller- (in one song!) The benefits of new tech and production gear along with Andy Sneaps pedigree have produced a result that is incredibly well balanced and as crystal clear as it is powerful, many 'goose bumps' moments and very up to date in this final mix. Lyrically Rob's pulled out some crackers, plenty of apocalyptic, mechanical, metal, futuristic, spiritual and social commentary throughout and he really has never sounded better. Every single track has been thoroughly worked out to be relevant to the modern listener, and yet you can hear their own influences like this is a best of Classic Judas Priest re-recorded for a modern audience. Its 'Metal', its got 'hooks', its got some of the most awesome riffs and solos and somehow pulls off classic metal but is totally 2024. I won't do a track by track as they are all stand out, but if by some unfortunate twist of fate you are unfamiliar with the work of JP the title track alone will tell you what to expect if you want to dip a toe in. I saw them live last month in Leeds and as if to finally confirm what i mean it really was a best of Priest tour they played songs from the 70's (saints in hell was awesome) and 3 or 4 off the new album and nothing sounded out of place, in fact they've just perfected metal. Absolute Belter, a must have.

Excelente álbum, muy bueno, diría que hasta mejor que el firepower.