Jugulator

Judas Priest | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Original Release Date: October 28, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B000001YAN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (176 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,799 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Oh, how the masses laughed when they heard the once mighty Judas Priest had hired a singer from a Priest cover band to replace indomitable original vocalist Rob Halford. But on 1997's Jugulator, the band's first new album in seven years, it's Priest who get the last laugh. Admittedly, it's kind of strange to hear Tim "Ripper" Owens screeching like the ghost of concerts past, but the band's rhythmic assault is fiercer than ever, mixing aggressive death metal riffs with the group's tried and true melodic grind. Vengeance is theirs. --Jon Wiederhorn

Product Description

Ori Release '97. 13th studio album by the British heavy metal band. It is the first of two studio albums featuring vocalist Tim 'Ripper' Owens. 10 trax. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Damn the rest...this album kicks severe arse!!!, June 29, 2001

By 

Ilker Yucel "Kryptych" (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jugulator (Audio CD)

I've read many complaints about Tim "Ripper" Owens not being nearly as good a vocalist as the now departed metal god Rob Halford. I saw one interview where Halford complimented Priest on finding a vocalist who could hit those high notes as well as (if not better than) him. But until recently, I never actually heard this infamous "Jugulator" album. And after hearing it, I can only say one thing: "IT ROCKS!!!" So it is not the Judas Priest of old, so the music is somewhat harder and thrashier, so they sound like they've mutated into a proto-death metal band! I don't care, 'cuz if nothing else the music is excellent. Great riffs a la Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing (two of the greatest guitar duellists in metal, matched only by Adrian Smith and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden). And "Ripper" Owens...I have to say he impresses me. He hits those screeching high notes with great clarity and precision...his singing on the title track alone was enough, he went from low growly voice to hitting the high note on the dot. Sure at times he can sound like a cross between Halford, Layne Staley, and Tom Araya, but he has great vocal control and is an excellent singer. Damn what the rest say, you can't argue with the metal god himself. If Halford liked his singing, surely everyone else who claims to be a Judas Priest fan must. Besides, it would probably be boring if he sounded the same as Halford exactly. Sure the lyrics can get cheesey sometimes, but was heavy metal ever about intelligence or integrity? NO!!! It was about pissing your parents off and rocking the night away 'til you went deaf. With this, I have to say the best songs are the title track, "Death Row," "Cathedral Spires" (a beautiful song), and "Burn in Hell." So get off your pulpit and heed the words and riffs of the true metal gods...Judas Priest are baaaaaaaaack!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON "THE RIPPER"!!!!, December 12, 2005

By 

wally gator "the only" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jugulator (Audio CD)

1997 saw a new light for Judas Priest. Ripper Owens. Having been the lead singer for some time in a Judas Priest cover band, he was picked up by the real deal to record this album JUGULATOR and accompany on a tour to promote the album. I was fourteen at the time, but was well schooled in most early Judas Priest. I remember my friend bought this and made me a tape.
It was pretty much confusing for me to get at first. Ripper Owens had a much more darker metal sound to him. I liked it, but it just didn't feel like PRIEST to me.
Nowadays I can feel the priest. Having seen the band live this past summer (of course with Rob Halford back on vocals) I really got to experience the power of the DOWNING/TIPTON dual guitar grindness. They just stand there and wail like nobodies business...
What does this have to do with JUGULATOR? Well, they wrote all the songs on this one. If nothing else you get that hard core bad ass grind on this album more than any other.
I give this album five stars, but its a five that needs time to grow on you. Don't try to compare it to the Judas Priest of old, its a whole different animal. It still is some Kah-ray-zee metal though. More in the school of thrash but still with melodic undertones. Ripper can hit those high notes, but he doesn't do it often. Mainly he stays down to a grumble. He will suprise you though throughout. Still though, pay attention to the guitars and you will not be dissapointed.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep an Open Mind...., January 23, 2009

By 

Hardcore Kid - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jugulator (Audio CD)

When listening to Jugulator and Demolition you have to remember to keep and open mind. We all love Judas Priest and we all love Rob Halford. No one can do the things that Halford does better than him. However on this particular album everyone has to remember that Halford was not in the band at this point so it's not fair to bash the album for the mere fact that Halford is not in the band.

Jugulator is a fine metal album based on its own merits. It has killer riffs, great solos, and pulse pounding drums. As for the vocals sure Ripper is not Halford but that doesn't mean he is a bad singer. Ripper has an amazing voice with unbelievable range. He very admirably fills the gap caused by Halford leaving the band. I read one review critisizing Ripper as a bad lyricist, my response to this is for anyone who thinks this to take out the cd booklet and look at the end of the lyrics to Cathedral Spires and note that it says all lyrics were written by Glenn Tipton not Ripper Owens. To me that is just people looking for any reason they can to find to not like this album simply because Rob Halford is not in the band.

So my recomendation is to listen to this album with open ears and even more so and open mind. You might be suprised at what you hear!