Angel Of Retribution [Dual Disc]

Judas Priest | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Dual Disc
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0007MVXQG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (325 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,072 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This Judas Priest release includes a DVD with the 30 minute Reunited documentary that lays the ground work for first new music from the original lineup in 15 years. From the slow crescendo of guitar and a scream at the beginning, this new outing from the reformed and re-invigorated Priest states one thing very clearly: The band is back and ready to reclaim their crown as hard rock titans. The songs, production, and performances are all on par with classics such as British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance. And the album definitely makes references Priest’s past, from the opening screech of "Judas Is Rising" to more direct lyrical name-checking (Painkiller in "Demonizer" and Sad Wings of Destiny in "Angel"). But there is a newer experimentation - a slower, darker streak - also evident on Halford’s underrated Crucible, that lets the listener know the band is not resting on its laurels. The is very evident on the 10 minute closer "Lock Ness", an epic on par with songs off Opeth’s masterful Deliverance. Make no mistake: The Metal Gods are definitely back. --Robert Arambel

Product Description

Japanese limited edition pressing includes DVD (NTSC/Region 2). Please note you will need and All Code DVD player to view. Sony. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great music...but both U.S. editions need work, March 8, 2005

By 

Lunar Strain "Thrash, don't mind if I do" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angel Of Retribution (Audio CD)

As for the music...this is classic Priest. Great to hear Halford back in the group. As for the U.S. cd releases, well, they both were less than satisfactory. Unlike some reviewers, my star rating is for hte music, not the CD issues. Most of you notice that there are two versions of this album available. There is a "dueldisc" edition and a limited "hardcover" book edition. The "dueldisc" version generates more problems. This is a new type of technology that is still in the working process and there is even a warning on the CD case. The disc features the music portion on one side and a the DVD features on the other. Because of this, the CD is thicker than the usual CD. Since it is thicker, the cd has a hard time playing in a lot of CD players. Forget about playing it in your CD deck in your car. Alot of players also scratch up the DVD side when trying to play the music side. I know a lot of people like myself like to make copies of our CD's so we can play 'em in our cars without worry of ruining the original discs. Forget about that as the new copy protection makes this impossible. Overall, the "dueldisc" edition blows and should be avoided. People wanting to avoid all the hassle of the ultra-garbage dueldisc version are better off buying the limited hardcover book edition. This has the CD and DVD on seperate discs. You are also able to make back-up copies of the CD for your car with this one. The downfalls of this release is that the CD and DVD come in little slipcases inside the 'book'. This means that if you keep removing the discs, you have a chance of damaging them. I even know a few individuals whose discs came pre-scratched because of these slipcases. The hardcover book is also only slightly better than those dreaded digipacks as it can get ruined very easily. Still, even with its downfalls, the limited is by far the way to go. If only they released it in a regular double jewel case instead...

76 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judas has Risen, March 1, 2005

By 

Gogmagog "fan of all things music, movies and... (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Angel of Retribution (With Bonus DVD) (Audio CD)

ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION opens with a crescendoing, swirling guitar riff which explodes into the welcome return of the classic Halford scream. "Judas is Rising," the first track exclaims. Indeed. They has risen and continue to stand tall and rock throughout all ten tracks on this, their overdue and welcome reunion album.

Priest do not reinvent their sound on this LP. Instead, much like Maiden's BRAVE NEW WORLD, they simply give us a molten slab of the rock we banged our heads against back in the days of BRITISH STEEL, SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE and PAINKILLER. Each track begs for the volume to be turned just a little more to the right and the momentum builds through the album's epic closer duo of "Eulogy" and "Lochness," the latter of which may be derided as a bit over the top in terms of Dio-esque hokiness, but when did these guys ever take themselves too seriously? Of the entire album, only the non-screaming vocals of "Worth Fighting For" leave the listener wanting. Regardless, ANGEL OF RETRIBUTION picks up exactly where PAINKILLER left off and this listener in particular hopes it's the first of another run of at least another dozen or so records by Halford & Co.

Break out the black - both t-shirts and lightbulbs. If you thought Priest of the past was only a memory, you've got another thing comin'.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Metal Gods have risen once again, March 1, 2005

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Angel of Retribution (With Bonus DVD) (Audio CD)

THE BAND: Rob Halford (vocals), Glenn Tipton (guitar), K.K. Downing (guitar), Ian Hill (bass), Scott Travis (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (2005) 10 tracks clocking in at just under 53 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing artwork (no band photos), song credits/lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at Old Smithy (Worcestershire, UK) and Sound City (San Francisco, CA). There are two versions of this disc available - a hard cover case with music disc only, and a 'dual-disc' featuring a single disc with music on one side and a DVD on the other (DVD features a brief documentary and footage from seven live songs on their 2004 "Reunited" tour). Label - Sony/BMG.

COMMENTS: Judas Priest is back on the heavy metal scene in 2005. "Angel Of Retribution" is a very heavy album with a few lighter songs thrown in the mix. It's been a long 15 years since Halford put his name on a Priest album ("Painkiller", 1990). Judas Priest had struggled since the day Halford left the band - putting out only 2 mediocre studio albums with Tim "Ripper" Owens at the helm. The original (4 member) line up is back - Rob Halford's vocals are finely tuned and there are plenty of his demon growls and signature high-pitched screams; dueling axes from KK Downing and Glen Tipton have never sounded better; Ian Hill is steady as ever on bass. Scott Travis (drums - from 1990's album "Painkiller") rounds out the quintet. "Retribution" rocks heavy with the exceptions being "Angel", "Worth Fighting For", and "Eulogy"... these 3 songs are still very good - just slower. Early picks as the faster/harder favorites would be the first two tracks - the intro "Judas Rising" leading into "Deal With The Devil", and track eight "Hellrider". The other tracks will grow on you - it's all chillingly good - no traces of filler. The tracks here are remniscent of old Priest as well as Halford's band in the 90's "Fight". Powerful double-bass drumming and screeching guitars dominate. Plenty of aggression, optimism and energy. Kerrang and Rolling Stone magazines give this disc two postive ball-busting reviews. Not to mention this old Priest line up stealing the show at the 2004 Ozzfest. Any fan of the band or Halford's solo material owes it to him/her self to get this disc. This is an album designed to both delight the faithful and to introduce metal's new listeners (the kids) to the timeless sound of an old classic metal band in top form. Old school metal is back! The flip side of the disc is the DVD - giving you a 40 minute documentary of the making of this album, as well as 7 live tracks (featuring old standards, "Living After Midnight", "Hellion/Electric Eye", "Metal Gods", "Hell Bent For Leather", etc). Is this 2005 release on line with some of their classic 80's material - ALMOST. Some reviewers have bashed the dual-disc and its thickness... I for one have not had any issues playing either side. Great dual-disc package (4.5 stars).