50 years of JUDAS PRIEST, who can say no to such event? Especially, when they are joined by SAXON, who have also been active for over 40 years, and URIAH HEEP, who have been active for 55 years. The whole gathering took place in the venerable Dortmund :: Westfalenhalle ::, where several concerts have already written rock history.
Whether on the train, subway, in the city center or at the Bergmann Kiosk - metal fans and hard rockers everywhere, wearing battle vests and lots of Priest shirts could be seen all over the city. It was said to have been 15,000, although it was probably not completely sold out. At least there were still one or two tickets available at the box office and of course there were all kinds of shady people offering tickets in front of the hall.
T-shirt prices at 45 euros are of course steep, and 6 euros for a not really full cup of beer is also quite a lot, but well, we're used to that at big arenas by now, but it's still a bit of a shame. No wonder that the bootleg trade is booming in front of the hall and that pre-drinks are also offered at affordable prices.
I shouldn't really be writing about the annoying band(s) from the Baltic States who are constantly pestering people around such events to sell their CDs. But the gentlemen get aggressive so quickly if you don't buy or aren't interested that the police intervention after the concert is probably down to them.
But well, a quick beer and off we go.
Even on record, the men around the last founding member Mick Box and singer Bernie Shaw (who has been on board since 1986) have cut an outstanding, fresh and powerful figure for years, which is perhaps due to the fact that the songwriting is now spread across many shoulders. But the band can also offer this form on stage. There's no sign of ageing. Compared to Bernie Shaw I rarely hear such powerful vocals from all the youngsters and of course the band can rely on their popular hits.
The sound is good, all instruments can be heard as :: URIAH HEEP :: warm up with newer material (Save Me Tonight from the current Chaos & Colours and Grazed By Heaven from 2018's predecessor Living The Dream), which is more than well received. However, Rainbow Demon from all-time favorite Demons & Wizards is much better received, but by the time Gypsy turns into the early phase, there's no stopping it. Easy Livin' follows and, of course, the acoustic guitar is unpacked for Lady In Black at the end. Young and old enthusiastically celebrate it.
Bernie Shaw rightly notes that 45 minutes is a little short for 55 years of band history. Therefore, the band is welcome to come back for a headlining tour.
There's no better way to heat up a package like this, no question.
Band: Bernie Shaw (vox), Mick Box (git), Davey Rimmer (bass), Russell Gilbrook (drums), Phil Lanzon (keys)
Setlist: Save Me Tonight, Grazed By Heaven, Rainbow Demon, Hurricane, Free 'n' Easy, Gypsy, Easy Livin', Lady In Black
It's a bit more difficult for :: SAXON :: from my point of view. The new material lacks catchy tunes at the beginning and somehow the guys around Biff Byford rush through their up-tempo songs a bit too much. So it takes about 20 minutes until it really gets going.
No question, SAXON are a great live band, you've never seen them in a bad way and of course, I can understand, if they want to include newer material into their setlist. When you finally get a six-pack of Heavy Metal Thunder, Crusader, Denim And Leather, Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law and Princess Of The Night without a break, there are of course no more complaints. And as always, this phase is introduced by the usual "do you want to hear Crusader or Strong Arm Of The Law" game, where you can't tell which song is currently at the top of the fans' favorites. They are all great and all belong in a live set.
Biff Byford sings as confidently as ever and bassist Nibbs Carter in particular provides plenty of stage action. There is no sign of ageing here either.
Oh, founding member and main songwriter Paul Quinn is no longer on stage this year. He is replaced by Diamond Head's Brian Tatler, who does his job more than well.
SAXON in under an hour is of course just as tight as Uriah Heep, but well, whoever picks up such a package will be able to live with it. Big bands like Judas Priest have already taken much less exciting support bands with them.
Band: Biff Byford (vox), Brian Tatler (git), Doug Scarratt (git), Tim „Nibbs“ Carter (bass), Nigel Glockler (drums)
Setlist: Hell, Fire And Damnation, Motorcycle Man, Sacrifice, There's Something In Roswell, And The Bands Played On, Madame Guillotine, Heavy Metal Thunder, Crusader, Denim And Leather, Wheels Of Steel, Strong Arm Of The Law, Princess Of The Night
The warm-up phase ends with War Pigs from tape and a tour intro. :: JUDAS PRIEST :: enter the stage and hammer their fans with an extremely varied program. Of course, there are also a few new songs from the very strong Invincible Shield album, but there are also plenty of old classics, so that nobody has to complain.
The Metal God is in great form. Nobody holds it against him that he weakens a little here and there in the last third of the set. Richie Faulkner in particular stands out as an asset on stage, while veteran Ian Hill naturally doesn't move an inch and shakes his head a little at most, which is familiar. Live guitarist Andy Sneap is a little more reserved.
The lightshow, video screens and, of course, the trident/candlestick/cross logo above the stage are visually impressive, but don't distract from the actual action.
Anyone who has so many hits to offer has rightly earned their position in the heavy metal circus. You've Got Another Thing Coming, Breaking The Law or Love Bites can be played very early on in the set if you know what caliber you have up your sleeve. Later on, Turbo Lover, Victim Of Changes and the Fleetwood Mac cover The Green Mahalishi are celebrated frenetically and when Scott Travis Doublebass introduces the unbreakable Painkiller, you think you're done.
But this is JUDAS PRIEST we're talking about here and so the encore is followed by Electric Eye, Hell Bent For Leather and the raucous Living After Midnight.
Respect! I'm really impressed! Songs from 50 years of heavy metal history between Sad Wings Of Destiny and Invincible Shield. Every important phase covered, almost every classic played - no question, the audience goes home satisfied.
Band: Rob Halford (vox), Richie Faulkner (git), Andy Sneap (git), Ian Hill (bass), Scott Travis (drums)
Setlist: War Pigs/ Invincible Shield Tour Anthem (tape), Panic Attack, You've got Another Thing Coming, Rapid Fire, Breaking The Law, Lightning Strike, Love Bites, Saints In Hell, Crown Of Horns, Turbo Lover, Invincible Shield, Victim Of Changes, You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise, The Green Mahalishi, Painkiller, The Hellion (tape) // Electric Eye, Hell Bent For Leather, Living After Midnight
